Yesterday and today, at around noon, I stood silently in front of the flagpole (with a bronze First Amendment plaque at the base) on the quad on our campus. I held the second in a series of 2024 protest signs.

It was cold and windy. So I wore my pink knit cap.

“RESIST” (2024)
Posterboard. Permanent marker. 22 x 28.

On Wednesday a somewhat older long-haired and bearded incel walked by, noticed my sign and yelled, “Resist what?” He approached and I answered, “In two months you’re going to have to make a choice…” He interrupted, “Oh, you mean Trump.” He then walked off yelling something I couldn’t hear because of the wind. I asked a young women standing nearby who witnessed the exchange, “Did you hear what he said?” She shook her head, then said, “I like your hat. And I agree with you.” There were also more positive reactions and conversations with others. There was the distraction of an itinerant preacher, in front of the student union, chastising students for their alleged moral failings.

From my vantage at the flagpole I can see the reactions of passersby in the distance. I can easily observe those who hesitate and then change direction to approach me.

Today the Governor of Missouri was on campus for a photo-op. I didn’t see him. It was cold and windy.

A student approached me at the flagpole and extended his right hand. We shook hands, smiled at each other, and didn’t say a word. He then continued on his way.

Later, I had a lengthy conversation with a student who had served in the Marines for four years. We were on the same wavelength.

Previously:

Sanewashing on the road to normalcy (November 8, 2024)

Practical Dissent: Protest Signs (November 17, 2024)

Practical Dissent: Just Do It (November 19, 2024)

“Do Not Obey in Advance.” (2024)

Today, again, I stood silently for an hour and a half in front of the flagpole (with a bronze First Amendment plaque at the base) on the quad on our campus. I held my newest posterboard sign and alternated with an older sign – (in four-inch high Cyrillic letters) “Сделаем Америку великой снова” [Make America Great Again].

I got more positive reactions – probably because the sign I held for most of period was in English, possibly because some people are starting to come out of their initial shock and disbelief.

Today more students stopped in the distance to read the signs.

A few faculty called out in support or stopped to chat as they passed by. A student stopped out of curiosity and ended up staying for a long conversation. An alumna and her spouse, visiting campus from out-of-state, also stopped for a lengthy conversation. They were happy to see me out there. We spoke about our shared horror and their possible options for resistance.

They were all glad to know that they weren’t alone in their opposition to what is about to happen.

We have two months, then the Fascist and his enablers take power.

#resist

“Make America Great Again” – in Russian.

Previously:

Sanewashing on the road to normalcy (November 8, 2024)

Practical Dissent: Protest Signs (November 17, 2024)