HOOSER: Saturday, June 14 – Just. Show. Up.

The only task, the only assignment — the only thing you have to do – is show up.

Showing up sends a message loud and clear: You’re not willing to look away and pretend you don’t see the insanity on display EVERYWHERE — every single day.

Anyone who has paid any attention — anybody who cares anything at all about our collective community — knows without a doubt that we need serious, positive, immediate change.

Whether you’re following right-wing news channels, left-wing podcasts, or corporate/centrist mass media, you’ll see and hear the same madness.

The information is delivered via different filters but it’s madness nonetheless.

Where are the adults in the room? Where are those who’ll listen, respond with respect, build coalitions, and come up with solutions based on real facts and solid information?

Rational, civil, values-based, adult conversation is desperately needed in Washington, D.C., and around the world.

Enough already with ketamine, testosterone and “big body” posturing.

Our planet needs more of the “truth and reconciliation” ethos espoused by former President of South Africa Nelson Mandela. Mandela spent 27 years in prison, emerged to negotiate the end of apartheid, brought peace to his racially divided country, and led the fight for human rights around the world.

If we’re to move our planet towards an era of peace, justice and true prosperity for all, we need to rid ourselves of the bullying, bad-boy, tough-guy, “warrior ethos” flaunted daily by Defense Secretary Hegseth, his boss in the White House and their friends.

These men, unless stopped in the very near future, can and WILL drag us into war. They live for opportunities to prove how strong and bad they are.

They love it when people fear them.

At the slightest provocation, real or imagined, they’ll push down on that LAUNCH button, where there’s no turning back.

Mass police/ICE actions are happening daily in cities, towns, schools and shopping centers across the country.

The U.S. Treasury is being pillaged, and resources are being moved from healthcare, food for those in need, parks, education – indeed, from just about every public institution you can think of — to the accounts of those at the very top.

We’re all in this together. We can, and we MUST stop this madness.

But, we gotta show up.

People from all walks of life will be gathering on June 14 in towns and cities everywhere. They will be coming together to voice their concerns, express their indignation, and demonstrate their commitment to make things better.

Bring a friend, and a homemade sign if you can.

Trust me on this: Show up. You’ll feel better.

Google “June 14th protest schedule (your town)”. Gatherings are happening everywhere.

Staying home, watching millions of others show up around the planet and wishing you were there will definitely depress you further.

Just. Show. Up.

You’ll see old friends, and meet new ones. You’ll feel good knowing you’re part of a growing movement for positive change.

“¡El pueblo unido jamás será vencido!”

The people united will never be defeated.

On Saturday, from 9 a.m. until 11 a.m., I’ll be joining Kauai Indivisible and many others holding signs and demonstrating on the sidewalk fronting Kaua‘i Community College with a message focused on “Opposing authoritarianism; supporting freedom and unity.”

On this same day, the U.S. president is throwing a “birthday parade” for himself in D.C., AND there’s also the Kamehameha Day Parade from 9 a.m. until 10 a.m. and Hoʻolaulea from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. – at the Historic County Building. Please join me at the KCC Indivisible demonstration and then at the Ho‘olaule‘a to honor the history and culture of our beloved community.

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Gary Hooser served eight years in the state Senate, where he was majority leader. He also served for eight years on the Kaua‘i County Council. He presently writes on Hawai‘i Policy and Politics at www.garyhooser.blog.
Source: The Garden Island