this post was submitted on 13 May 2025
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'We Don't Do Kings': Mass Protests Planned to Counter Trump's Birthday Military Parade | Common Dreams (www.commondreams.org)
submitted 1 month ago by pete_link@lemmy.ml to c/progressivepolitics@lemmy.world
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Jake Johnson May 06, 2025

"Pro-democracy campaigners late Monday announced a nationwide "No Kings" day of defiance on June 14—the same day U.S. President Donald Trump plans to hold a birthday military parade more befitting a dictator than an elected head of state.

More than 100 "No Kings" events have already been registered across the U.S., with many more expected in the weeks ahead of the day of action. "

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[–] themeatbridge@lemmy.world 16 points 1 month ago* (last edited 1 month ago) (3 children)

I really think this is the wrong framing for progressives. You're protesting a narcissist troll with an ego so massive it affects the passage of time. He's not styling himself as a king, so he can plausibly reject the concept on its face, and he probably enjoys the warm, itchy feeling it creates in his butt thinking about all the people calling him a king. So he gets to wriggle in his chair with a wry smile and say "I never said 'King Trump', but you go ahead." His supporters will revel in your frustration, because they know you're not willing to match their level of chaos.

You're dealing with a narcissist. There's no shame or logic or reasoning that will convince him or his followers to abandon their power. We need to take it from them.

[–] partial_accumen@lemmy.world 23 points 1 month ago (1 children)

He’s not styling himself as a king

trump's apartment:

Opinion piece by trump's former National Security Advisor:

trump tells Christians they won't have to vote anymore after this election:

His actions certainly fit my definition of "styling himself as a king". What is your definition of that phrase?

There’s no shame or logic or reasoning that will convince him or his followers to abandon their power.

No one is expecting to change trump's mind or his full red hat wearing folks. However, there are lots and lots of folks that either didn't vote, or voted apathetically for trump that wouldn't want the USA to be ruled by an absolute monarchy (by trump or anyone else for that matter). Those are the folks we need to reach.

[–] themeatbridge@lemmy.world 0 points 1 month ago (1 children)

I'm not saying the analogy isn't apt. I'm saying a narcissist doesn't care about things like perception or truth, and his followers won't, either.

[–] partial_accumen@lemmy.world 11 points 1 month ago (2 children)

I’m saying a narcissist doesn’t care about things like perception or truth, and his followers won’t, either.

I already replied to that: No one is expecting to change trump’s mind or his full red hat wearing folks. However, there are lots and lots of folks that either didn’t vote, or voted apathetically for trump that wouldn’t want the USA to be ruled by an absolute monarchy (by trump or anyone else for that matter). Those are the folks we need to reach.

[–] raoulduke85@lemm.ee 5 points 1 month ago

Exactly this. Plus it builds community and makes people feel like they aren’t alone, especially in red cities like mine.

I’ve organized these rallies and every time I always get new people saying this is their first time at a protest. Last Hands Off! rally, I met a veteran who said she voted for Trump and regrets it, so she’s trying all she can to right her wrongs.

[–] themeatbridge@lemmy.world -3 points 1 month ago (1 children)

And you're not going to reach them by stroking his ego and chasing his laser pointer around.

[–] partial_accumen@lemmy.world 8 points 1 month ago* (last edited 1 month ago) (1 children)

by stroking his ego and chasing his laser pointer around.

You keep focusing on what trump might feel about this protest. I don't give a shit what he feels about it.

And you’re not going to reach them

Do you believe the majority of Americans (not just people who voted in the last election) want to abandon our power to elect our leaders and instead have an unelected king?

[–] themeatbridge@lemmy.world 0 points 1 month ago (1 children)

I believe a majority of Americans are too disconnected from the process and from history to understand why calling someone a king is bad. It's simply not a message that resonates with most Americans. The fact that Trump and his supporters will turn it into lube for jerking off is just further proof it's not the right message, and the fact that you don't care what he or they think is further proof how far out of your depth you are in this fight. You still think you can win by making the better argument and gathering a larger group of supporters.

[–] partial_accumen@lemmy.world 2 points 1 month ago

I believe a majority of Americans are too disconnected from the process and from history to understand why calling someone a king is bad. It’s simply not a message that resonates with most Americans.

I disagree with you, but you're welcome to your own opinion.

The fact that Trump and his supporters will turn it into lube for jerking off is just further proof it’s not the right message,

Again with focusing on what trump and his deep MAGA folk will think. I don't care what they think on this. This isn't a message for them. There may be other messages at another time, but this isn't for them. Not every message is for MAGA folk.

and the fact that you don’t care what he or they think is further proof how far out of your depth you are in this fight. You still think you can win by making the better argument and gathering a larger group of supporters.

If we are truly in the minority of political opinion, then making a better argument and gathering larger group of supporters is our only path out of this. If we are actually in the majority opinion, then we only need to convince a much smaller group which is currently apathetic and/or sitting on the sidelines. Either way, trying to appeal directly to trump or pure MAGA folks is a dead end.

I haven't heard you propose any alternative. Are you going right to suggesting an immediate armed uprising or do you have an alternative approach besides "not king message"?

[–] known_unknown@lemmy.world 12 points 1 month ago (1 children)

I'm over here wondering why we're not saying "tyrant" yet.

[–] themeatbridge@lemmy.world 8 points 1 month ago

Dictator. Criminal. Lotta words that are far more accurate.

[–] Zaktor@sopuli.xyz 3 points 1 month ago

The point of protest is not to annoy your enemy or convert his true believers.

[–] nkat2112@sh.itjust.works 10 points 1 month ago

Dear reader, we are many. I'm looking forward to seeing you on the street!

[–] surph_ninja@lemmy.world 7 points 1 month ago

Yeah, we don’t do kings in the US. Just slaves and masters since the country’s founding. So not much better.

[–] FlashMobOfOne@lemmy.world -2 points 1 month ago

Trump's little dick energy knows no bounds, but these public demonstrations don't seem to be serving much purpose other than giving ICE an easy way to identify people to deport. Unless you're willing to physically get into a confrontation, like the few crowds who've disrupted ICE arrests of late, all you're doing is creating content for your social media at the end of the day.