From Debi Morton
Spring Green
To the Editor:
Saturday’s unprecedented No Kings Rally in Dodgeville was such a joyful and peaceful event. Great music and speakers. Our safety was a top priority helped by volunteer marshals and the Dodgeville police department. So well organized. We had such a great time. By some estimates, there were more than 500 participants in attendance. People came from Dodgeville, Spring Green, Mt Horeb, Lancaster, Platteville, Darlington, Monroe and everywhere in between.
Myra Enloe, Leader of Indivisible Southwest said, “Studies show that 3.5% of the population actively engaged in non-violent resistance can bring about major change, even in the face of powerful opposition. We are part of building that 3.5%!!” People showed up.
Representative Mark Pocan was on fire about the turnout. He asked the crowd “Are we a monarchy? Are we an autocracy? Are we a theocracy?” and the crowd yelled “No” at each refrain. “Are we a Democracy?” And the crowd roared “YES!” And then he said “This is what democracy looks like!”
Ben Gruber, Union Leader, opened his speech with the fact that he “was glad to see us taking back our symbols of democracy and flying the flag”, and then he led us in the pledge of allegiance! It was very moving.
Retired Sheriff Steve Michek, a former republican who served for 35 years said, “No Kings Day” reminds us that leadership is earned, not taken or coerced. And Jessica Wieczorek, school board member, stated, “we are being told there is no money for things we actually need like schools, healthcare and support for working families, but somehow there is enough for tax cuts for the rich!” Each district stands to lose significant amounts of money with the elimination of the Department of Education.
The rally was inspiring, fun, peaceful with little opposition. There were a few Trump flag drive-bys, but hey, we respect their freedom of expression! We know we aren’t all on the same page. To underscore some of the many take aways from the rally, Scott Steiber sang a great rendition of Elvis Costello’s “What’s So Funny About Peace Love and Understanding,” and the sun shone brightly on us!
