These signs are sentiments many at the Sonoma No Kings protest could relate to. (Image: Kathryn Reed)

One sign cannot contain all the reasons people took to the streets March 28 in the third No Kings protest/march in less than a year.

A demonstrator’s sign in Sonoma said as much. Her sign read: “All of my outrage can’t fit on this sign.”

People are angry, and yet, these demonstrations prove there is also hope. It’s spreading. It’s almost contagious. It was palpable on Saturday in Sonoma.

Despair and anger were not the overriding emotions of these protestors. That alone makes me hopeful that we can effect change.

Humor is part of many signs. (Image: Kathryn Reed)

As much as people are enraged by the actions and words that come out of the mouth of the man in the White House, as well as his buffoons in the Cabinet, and the absurdities his millions of followers spew, our collective anger is manifesting itself in peaceful protests. We are voting. We are running for office. We are committed to destroying the ugliness he spews and embraces.

The orange dude is unifying people in ways he doesn’t want to. It’s a powerful message these protesters are sending. We are not going to let the atrocities continue without a fight.

People are tired of their rights being trampled on and taken away. They are scared for their neighbors, colleagues and classmates who are being rounded up simply because they have brown skin. This war in Iran—what is it good for? We are not fooled by the duplicity of saying voting rights are being protected when in fact they are threatened.

One person’s definition of a Trump sandwich. (Image: Kathryn Reed)

We understand the man who is president of the United States is a rapist—of women and children. We understand he is a convicted felon. We understand he is the only U.S. president to be impeached twice. We understand there is nothing about him that is Christian.

What we, the protesters, don’t understand is how anyone still supports him. He doesn’t care about you. He doesn’t care about the United States. He cares about himself, about lining his pockets and those closest to him. Look up the word grifter and his picture should be there. He only cares about his ego and making his bank account greater.

Maybe protesting isn’t your thing. Fine. But complaining isn’t enough. Action—whatever that looks like to you as long as it’s not violent or illegal—is needed. Write letters to your representatives, give money to causes you believe in that are fighting for justice, help get like-minded people elected, volunteer, run for office.

The Trumps don’t have a history of military service. (Image: Kathryn Reed)

Saturday’s event with its 8 million participants at more than 3,300 locations across each of the 50 states was the largest No Kings protest. In fact, it was the largest protest in U.S. history.

Those millions don’t include the masses from other countries like England, Germany, Portugal, Italy and France who also took to the streets. Protests occurred on all seven continents.

Thousands of people protest at No Kings event in downtown Sonoma on March 28. (Image: Kathryn Reed)

The first No Kings was June 14 last year when Trump organized a military parade commemorating the Army’s 250^th anniversary and his birthday. That drew 5 million people. The event last October brought out 7 million.

The Sonoma event was one of several in Sonoma County. About 2,500 people made their way to Sonoma Plaza for the peaceful demonstration after walking there from two planned routes. At the plaza people spoke of peace, unity and the need to keep fighting for equality, democracy and inclusion.

It really was a hopeful experience.