I couldn’t be there in the flesh this past weekend, when “No Kings 3” took over the streets, avenues, town commons, and all manner of other gathering places throughout our 50 states, united or not. On Saturday, the 28th of March, 2026, well more than 10 million people were united, celebrating their faith and hope in democracy, in collaboration, with activated vocal and physical and spiritual energies to make a difference. They exemplified peaceful ways to agitate for change from the bloviation, lies, treacherous and oppressive harassment and degradation of so many of us. But, thankfully, many of us were there — and the size and energy of our presence is meaningful and matters greatly to more people than we’ll ever know.
There will be ongoing news media statements to spin and minimize the success of this event as well as pressure from our increasingly off-the-rails federal government to deny most, if not all, of “No Kings 3.” Despite this, it brings genuine pleasure to experience the daily manifestation of diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging (DEIB) that these three No Kings marches/protests have provided over this past year. Many of those in power dominate headlines with their own forms of illegal agitation to wipe out DEIB. Yet, it is equally true that we, the people, whether voters or legal citizens or not, continue to speak and sing out to keep these words out front in our vocabulary and activities.
If you attended and participated, DEIB was there — present and accounted for, everywhere. And it would’ve been even more so had our immigrant and trans friends not been intimidated into submission due to ICE and their deluded friends and colleagues. So, Trump et al, it’s the people’s turn for a sustained and extended victory lap. We now know beyond the shadow of any doubt that our message and our numbers are secure and that there’s no easy and successful way to spin this. Trump & Co. are clearly sliding down and out and will soon be seen as the biggest all-time losers in the face of our national history. But we cannot get complacent or satisfied with the growth in all directions of our movement. The torch is lit, is hot — and we must carry it forward no matter who, no matter what.
Of course, Trump’s “team” of assorted egotistic narcissists and sociopaths will find the most obnoxious and vexing ways to try to manipulate this news by reporting all that occurred as false, fake, and trash. We’ve seen that show before, and there’s no heft or reality to it whatsoever. The US of A has finally hit the “off” switch to discontinue the bizarre rantings of fools and felons.
As always, the dark side will obfuscate, twist, and perform all other manner of sleaziness to try to win points and deflect from the positivity that was displayed across our nation just days ago. But goodness and rationality will prevail. In the end, their MAGA talking points will fall flat and ring hollow. Remember this as you watch and read the news and reports of No Kings 3.
What’s beautiful is to observe and engage with the passion of people who care, who are in service to our constitution, our laws, and our values. Hundreds of thousands — if not millions — of “first-timers” were out and about last Saturday, marching, walking, talking, singing, many arm-in-arm, signaling to the world that they will be seen, will be heard, will be experienced by tens if not hundreds of millions ‘round the world.
Whether one is an always-never Trumper or a first-time, converted never-again-Trumper, we can feel the common ground and visions they (we) hold: never give in, never give up, speak truth to power, keep rock-steady no matter what is thrown at us. I find that the passion and engagement I see coming forward is making a difference. There is poetry in protest and deep human harmony when we sing together. And seeing nationwide peaceful protest in hundreds (if not thousands) of places and spaces is like making music — seamless, powerful, poignant, cogent, and coherent.
Days like March 28, 2026, give and send hope to so many — we simply must carry on and carry forward with the lessons we’ve learned and the newfound power we’ve earned. The elegant, iconic words in the 1960s freedom song (though written in 1901 and adapted by Rev. Charles Albert Tindley), “We Shall Overcome,” offer an all-powerful antidote to the crushing negativity coming from the red-based, red-biased political machine: we’ll walk hand in hand; we shall live in peace; we shall all be free; and, finally, we are not afraid.
No Kings 3 was a moment in time, a dot in human history — but a difference-maker over time. This is the latest epitome of the late civil rights leader and former Sen. John Lewis’ notion of “making good trouble.” Wherever you are, and wherever you were on that day, I am hoping that you found the news and the noise made this past weekend to be a proud beacon of exercising free speech and holding hate-mongers accountable. More than stating we can do this — standing up against all the ugliness — we are, in fact, doing this.
Daniel Cantor Yalowitz, Ed.D., writes a regular column for the Recorder. He in an intercultural and developmental psychologist and his most recent book, “Creating the Intercultural Field: Legacies from the Pioneers,” was released in mid-January. He writes about issues focused on human and civil rights, human values, and his ongoing commitment to create a better world for us all. Reach out to him at danielcyalowitz@gmail.com.