The recent “No Kings” protest was quite the spectacle, almost like witnessing a retirement home reunion mixed with a dash of political theater. The scene of elderly participants shuffling along with their walkers and wheelchairs was both amusing and a little eye-opening. Many of these folks, after decades of activism, seemed to be rekindling their spirit from the 60s and 70s, possibly lured by promises of extra cinnamon in their applesauce back at the nursing home. It’s as if nostalgia and memories of their former glory days were the main attraction, more than any coherent political message.
The younger protesters, seemingly without much clue, simply tagged along, mumbling unclear grievances. The gaggle of activists embodied a peculiar fusion of past and present, with neither really understanding why they were there other than being on the ‘right side’ of yet another anti-Trump rally. In one clip, a young protester admitted she didn’t know why she didn’t like Trump—she was just parroting everyone else. This lack of conviction perfectly encapsulated the frail pulse of these protests.
As for the lady who’s as invested in politics as any monarch—yes, the one and only Nancy Pelosi—she attempted to join the anti-monarchist movement with the release of a campy video. In it, Pelosi, who’s seen more terms than some actual kings and queens, awkwardly tries to break a crown. The video, filled with awkward edits, suggests she might need a little help these days to tear even paper props. Here is a potent reminder of how leaders preaching anti-elitism sometimes resemble the very power structures they claim to oppose.
The commentary following Pelosi’s video was unreserved, even noting her tenure surpassing some British monarchs. Her long reign in politics and the wealth acquired along the way raises an eyebrow or two. If anyone should consider stepping aside, it might just be the one who’s more regal in duration and fortune than those monarchs she’s supposedly protesting.
In the end, perhaps the question isn’t about protesting “kings” but looking in the mirror to find the crown within. Aging activists and leaders may want to reconsider if they are inadvertently running the royal circles they despise. With all this spectacle, it seems the “No Kings” protest has only cemented the idea that everyone ultimately seeks their throne, no matter how much cinnamon is in the applesauce.
