Thank you to everyone who showed up in one way or another! We also had only one Jason MAGA Mobile drive by lol (Sheriff on site to observe), and one single counter protestor that was surprisingly calm for a MAGA.
Props to the couple of folks who engaged with him in polite and thought provoking convos. Also props to HIM for remaining calm, not being aggressive and physically confrontational.
As a legal observer and de-escalator, I was “ear hustling” the entire convo from a close distance. As he was leaving, I shook his hand and thanked him for engaging respectfully AND he thanked us for standing up for our values and also being respectful in kind. I told him that he was the only dissenting voice that ever engaged peacefully with us and his face showed surprise in response. I thanked him for just that and he thanked us in return for standing up for what we support even though he disagreed.
It’s never too late to instill a bit of cognitive dissonance. Win win!!! Seeds were planted and a bridge stabilized, not burned.
A huge thank you to Holiday Wikd Wmn and Mountain Bears Democratic Club for organizing the rally and to People’s United for Mountain Autonomy, PUMA, for providing zines and information on how to get further involved to keep our communities safe and look out for each other!
