Saw a random post the other day that smoothed out my brain. I wasn’t sure whether I agreed with the sentiment or not. The post read, “I don’t want to do a No Kings protest this weekend unless it starts at 9pm and we’re burning shit down. Otherwise, what are we even doing, bro?”
The rage is understandable. Our country keeps losing its specialness every day thanks to the reactionary forces in charge: We’re waging an illegal war that absolutely no one not named Bibi wanted and that we will never win; the United States president is a credibly accused pedophile; the price of gas won’t stop creeping up; masked goons threaten, disappear, and murder our loved ones and neighbors in the streets daily; our 401(k)s are shrinking while billionaires are becoming even richer; AI will take all our jobs soon; and TSA lines stretch to infinity to board flights whose prices are doubling every other minute.
Thanks, everyone who voted for cheaper eggs and literally nothing else.
Nonviolence also makes sense, the compulsion to rise above the attacks and attackers and all the nonsense. It worked for Gandhi and Martin Luther King Jr., among others, and it appears to have helped us sane, reasonable folk in the recent past. Seeing millions of people take time out of their days to rally against fascism lets the fence-sitters know this administration is sinking even faster than the felon in chief’s 36%-and-dropping approval rate. In dozens of local and statewide elections recently, Democrats performed really well, a trend set to continue as long as the White House continues fucking up royally.
That’s assuming the right-wing political machine doesn’t outlaw voting by midterms.
For some semblance of power in a world with its heel on your neck, remember that tomorrow/Saturday is the country’s third No Kings National Day of Nonviolent Action. As part of more than 1,000 similar marches nationwide, Fort Worth’s will take place 2-5pm at General Worth Square on Main Street downtown. There will be speakers, indigenous performers, and local organizations tabling before the march begins at 4pm with the support of Fort Worth police.
“No Kings is about reminding those in power that in America, authority flows from the people, not from fear or intimidation,” said Sabrina Ball from Indivisible TX-12, an organizer along with Fort Worth Area Indivisible and Si Se Puede Committee of Tarrant County. “When ordinary people show up together, democracy is stronger than any attempt to rule like a king.”
The most recent local No Kings rally, in October, drew 8K downtown. More than 7 million participated across the country in more than 2,700 events. The first No Kings, in June 2025, gathered more than 5 million marchers nationwide. This uptick in bodies corresponds directly to one thing: the downtick in support, stamina, and lucidity in the wannabe despot sullying the White House.
Be aware of infiltrators trying to start shit but remember to stay safe. As tantalizing as raging against the machine while punching Nazis square in the face sounds, nonviolence is better. Reasons 1-10: It often leads to longer-lasting positive change.
This column reflects the opinions of the editorial board and not the Fort Worth Weekly. To submit a column, please email Editor Anthony Mariani at Anthony@FWWeekly.com. He will gently edit it for clarity and concision.
