
Protesters march against the Trump administration during ‘No Kings Day’ (photo KRCR News)
I’ll never forget the impromtu peace march I joined back in 1990. “Operation Desert Storm” had just been launched. It was a scary time. I was pregnant with my first child, I looked like a straw with an olive stuck in it, and I needed to walk. My husband had to work that Saturday. So I went Downtown. There I met some friends, who said, Hey, why don’t you join our march against the war. So, I did. Very impromtu.
As we walked down Main Street headed for the Plaza, the crowd grew, 20, maybe 30 people, maybe 50. Marching, talking quietly, I don’t remember any signs. Sometimes it was so quiet you could hear the Burkenstocks scraping the sidewalk. Sometimes happy chatter, but no screaming, no obscenities – Chico used to be a nice town.
“Let’s go around the block!” someone shouted, so we turned at Fifth Street and headed for Flume. As we marched toward the old Gold Country Market, I noticed tables in the parking lot – first farmer’s market, three tables. There was the cabbage man – remember him? And this guy was selling apples, looked pretty nice, can’t remember what the third guy was selling. It was a real boon for the market, instant customers. I bought half dozen apples.
We walked around the market and headed back toward the Plaza, for a little rally, I guess. Can’t remember. It was a very magical time. Saw friends I hadn’t seen for a while, enjoyed a really good vibe. I don’t know what we expected to achieve, but what we got was community. It was really neat.
2025 – “No Kings Protest” Nasty old entitled WHITE people with hateful signs. Shutting down streets. Where’s the community? I think the picture tells the story – it’s just drama and fun for them. At the end of the day they’ve accomplished nothing but dividing the community. I don’t think they care.