A lively crowd lined the sidewalk in front of the Solvang Veterans Hall on Sunday, February 1, for a peaceful “Stand with Minnesota” rally organized by Indivisible. Demonstrators stretched out on both sides of Highway 246, carrying signs expressing support for immigrants and protesting ICE brutality and the cruelty and corruption of an administration which, in the words of one protester, is looting us, not governing us.
An elderly man in a wheelchair, himself a veteran, was distributing pages of historical facts about what the Nazis did to “make Germany great again,” techniques disturbingly similar to what is happening now; his stated mission was to make sure we all recognize this and keep resisting.
Someone played a recording of Bruce Springsteen’s “Streets of Minneapolis,” and others chanted “ICE Out!” A group of high school students, taking the lessons of democracy to their hearts and to the streets, held up signs against ICE and fascism, shining brightly with hope and youthful radiance. My favorite message was a simple declaration on a hand-painted sign held by an old man who stood quietly at the curb, by himself: EVERYONE DESERVES DIGNITY AND DUE PROCESS.
With very few exceptions, passing cars honked and cheered and gave thumbs up. I only saw one middle finger, and one of my friends was treated to an unintentionally ironic tirade about how the president is making America great again by getting rid of pedophiles and criminals, but such sentiments were the rare exception.
Even here in the bucolic Santa Ynez Valley, the horrific events of January have increased the fervor and solidarity of the resistance. Those present at the rally felt an infusion of hope and solidarity. We shall not be undone.
You must be logged in to post a comment.