No Kings 1: National Day of Action (June 14, 2025), Albuquerque-style…
… an ever expanding movement for people of goodwill to stand up and be counted against the insidious wave of authoritarianism that is threatening everything that truly makes America great…
About the June 14, 2025 Protests (No Kings 1)
Words of Thanks
To the No Kings leadership, organizers, speakers, volunteers, and thousands of “ordinary” citizens who had the courage and generosity of spirit to stand up and be counted in such an empowering, peaceful way. THIS is what real democracy and patriotism look like. It made me so proud of my fellow New Mexicans and proud to be an American.
Special Note about the Images Below
I made meaningful contact with everyone you see in these pictures, always asked if I had permission to photograph them and show their faces online, and always respected their decision. As you can plainly see, most everyone courageously and proudly decided to do so.
No Kings 1 (Albuquerque) Photo Essay
I’ll allow the images to speak mostly for themselves…
As you can see from the many smiles, the vibe was totally positive, inclusive, patriotic, peaceful, and hopeful…
Heartened to see people from so many walks of life…
Reclaiming the American flag was a major theme of the day…
By the way, this lovely anonymous angel thoughtfully and generously carried and handed out water to anyone who needed it (It was 100 degrees in the shade)…
It was particularly inspiring to see many families there…
So inspiring to see lots of folks with mobility issues there, too…
So heartening to see many young adults there, a demographic that was almost totally absent at Hands Off in April. I suspect they’re all going to spread the word at home and on TikTok about how f%#$ing awesome their experience was, how super cool older folks are, and the joy of being part of an America that has largely abandoned them. I’d bet a nickel that their numbers are going to explode at the next protest!
Military veterans were particularly well represented…
So happy and proud to be there with dear person Christi…
An Invitation: Learn more, connect, and sign up for future events: Mobilize
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Thank you for sharing the signage and determined protestors, Frank. I especially like the paper mache (no accent marks, sorry!) head and thoughtful signs about being apolitical and silent in the face of all the atrocities. Also, the expressions and body language of those you photographed (at ease but also resolute in their actions) show you clearly engaged with them on a personal level which is why, I believe, the images are especially powerful. Well done and thank you for sharing!
Thanks for the most kinds words of appreciation and encouragement, Tracy! Hear hear to the detailed sign about remaining silent in the face of all the atrocities– from a group of very young adults to boot! A demographic that will surely swell our ranks. And thanks for so astutely noticing the body language. I love your description “at ease but also resolute”. Yes! A sure sign of true community and solidarity, not just a bunch of frustrated individuals crying in the wilderness. Keep on keepin’ on.
Their “at ease” body language is a direct result of how you interacted with them, Frank. Looking at them, it’s clear they were glad to be in conversation with you and happy to be part of your photographic documentation project.
Thanks for seeing that and saying that, Tracy. I accept your lovely lovely compliment.
Wonderful. As much as 🎃 probably wants to look the other way, he can’t evade the reality…
Compliments to America…
(When’s the next protest?)
Thanks for checking in and for cheering us on, Brian. Rumors of a “Good Trouble” a la John Lewis theme next month. Stay tuned!
Frank, thanks for sharing this view of your community!
What an energizing day! Seventy thousand people marched in Seattle, along with many more in neighborhood gatherings. My brother and my sister-in-law (she is a fierce 80-year-old) joined 2000 people just north of Seattle.
Two or three hundred neighbors of all ages came together at the junction a few blocks from my home. Signs were everywhere, all handmade, all different, all clever. People flowed out onto the intersection when the “walk all ways” light came on, and back to the four street corners when it was the turn for the cars, whose honking joined the medley. A baby was in a carrier adorned with the words “I want to learn to walk. Not to kneel.” In the crosswalk, a tiny lady said to me “I am 80 and I just had to SHOW UP.” I got a chant going, briefly, with my sign: “Warm hearts MELT I.C.E.”
It’s not over yet, but we felt our strength on Saturday.
Teresa! I love your choice of words “energizing”. You nailed it!
So inspiring to hear about your neighborhood gatherings and participation of all ages!
Loved “I want to learn to walk. Not to kneel.”
Attagirl for your sign and for getting a chant going!!!
I laughed out loud with joy and hope regarding your crosswalk idea–such a lovely way to follow the law while being highly visible and getting everyone involved!
Not over yet for sure. Yes, you can feel the strength and solidarity major big time.
Big hug from ABQ.
So much to love here, Frank! As a Canadian, I feel for my friends and kindred spirits in the USA. It warms my heart to see so many people turning out and protesting against tyranny.
Heartwarming indeed, Michelle.
Yes, so much to love here… and so many reasons for hope.
Thanks for being our friend and for cheering us on!
These signs and messages were great, Frank!!! Thanks so much for sharing them! I protested with about 200 people in a small town in Massachusetts, and it was so much fun! Everyone came up with such creative signs! One truly does feel part of something much bigger, when being in the company of others all focused on a common cause! Looking forward to the next big protest!
YES!!! High fives and a big hug for being part of all this, Anita. I absolutely share the joy and hope that oozes from every one of your exclamations.
In Solidarity!
I love your tshirt!!
Leeeeeeeenda’s here… Yay! Thanks for noticing!
I saw many of these same signs in Arlington, Texas, Frank, but I loved the t-shirts you and Christi had on! It was a great day.
Thanks for checking in, Larry. Such sentiments are indeed universal. And thanks for noticing our t-shirts, which received enthusiastic approval from most and only a few ugly looks at the coffee shop before the protest. All the best.
I LOVE these signs, Frank, and love seeing all these people out there making their voices heard. You did a great job!!!
Thanks, Jill. I’ve never felt so deeply connected with so many people from so many walks of life everywhere all at once. And the great news is that the movement is still growing. Solidarity!!!
That’s great, Frank! Yes, it is still growing … we can overcome this, if only we can keep up the momentum and keep our spirits up! Solidarity!!!
Thanks for sharing Frank, glad to see people are awakening.
You bet, Wayne. And the great news is that the movement is still growing. Cheers!
Fabulous, Frank! You showed great signs! “Does this ass make my country look small?” appeared in NY too—as did the one about electing a rapist. So interesting to see the way these messages travel.
The signs about not being political and the privilege of silence strike me as especially important messages.
In Solidarity,
Annie
Some exquisitely hilarious yet deadly serious messages indeed!
And the invitation / call to arms messages you so astutely resonated with came from a group of YOUNG people. So heartening to see many young adults there on Saturday, a demographic that was almost totally absent at Hands Off in April. I suspect they’re all going to spread the word at home and on TikTok about how f%#$ing awesome their experience was, how super cool older folks are, and the joy of being part of an America that has largely abandoned them. I’d bet a nickel that their numbers are going to explode at the next protest!
In Solidarity,
Frankie
Bravo, Frank!
Thanks for the support and encouragement, Gerald. We definitely represented here in ABQ. Solidarity!
These signs are brilliant, Frank. Thanks for sharing the signs and also your description of the positive environment.
We definitely represented down here, Jane. We Americans who really care are quickly getting our act together. Look out world!
The world will be very glad when that’s a fait accompli! 😊
Cheers to that!