March 2026 SOLC–Day 29
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The crowd was quieter on Saturday. I think it was smaller, too. It felt a bit more like a reflex than an active resistance. Does this even help? I wondered.

I haven’t looked at the numbers yet to see how many people turned up yesterday, but many people I know, who have protested before, opted out this time around. There were many reasons, but I have to wonder if many are simply worn out from this ongoing madness. Nothing seems to help.

A while back, I read an article about how showing up is important, even though it seems like such a small act. The article maintained that the numbers of protesters are noticed by the self-serving, pusillanimous, sychophantic representatives (I may have added a few words there) as they consider their upcoming electoral battles. Remember, they are self-serving. It’s all about them maintaining power. So, even if it seems futile, the author maintained, it is an important thing to do. The numbers carry weight.

As I wrote the word “futile”, it brought to mind the robotic message of the Borg in Star Trek. “Resistance is futile.” If you aren’t aware, the Borg were the enemy of the Federation in the Star Trek universe. They were a collective with a hive mindset, who actively tried to assimilate other cultures/beings. I’m not a Trekkie, but I do know the Borg were ultimately defeated. How?

A limited dive into the internet and all-things-Star-Trek revealed that one thing that contributed to the defeat of the Borg was when some of their drones regained their individuality and rebelled against the hive mindset they were linked into. One can only hope. I suppose this emphasizes the importance of communicating, of connecting with people and sharing ideas and information. Of stepping back from the inflamed rhetoric and trying to relate to one another.

Trump’s actions have always reminded me of another episode of Star Trek. (I swear, I really am not a Trekkie! lol) In this particular one, there’s a god-like being who is toying with the Enterprise, forcing them to follow his will and play war games. At the end, it turns out he’s a young god who, one reviewer commented, “lacks the experience and wisdom to feel compassion for those he hurts or to see beyond his own interests.” Sound familiar? In that episode, his adult god parents arrive to take him home, scolding him, even as he insists, “But I was winning!” Clearly that won’t be happening here.

This post has wandered a bit. It’s representative of my thoughts this morning, pin-balling from one thing to another. Looking for context. Looking for hope. I think back to where I started–with the crowd gathered on the grassy mall of a nearby town. Even though it all felt a bit diminished, I remind myself that there were hundreds of people there. And there are people demonstrating every day in big and small ways. Anytime I drive down the highway, I see signs and people on overpass bridges. “Honk if you want to save our democracy!” Ongoing protest has become a visible part of our current culture.

Yesterday, we all took the time to make signs, to show up, and most importantly to connect with one another in the crowd. Right now, that connection is what I’m holding onto.