No Kings: From the Heart—or the Hustle. It’s Complicated

Between paid demonstrators, pressured union members, and the sincerely moved, the streets are crowded — and complicated.

When was the last time you made a sign and marched? Shouted until you were hoarse?  Or just watched others do it and wondered: what moves them — conviction or choreography?

Today’s protests often blur those lines. Some march from the heart. Others march on the clock.

Manufactured Passion

Paid to participate – there’s a company for that. Crowds on Demand, a California firm that recruits and pays protesters, says it’s worked right here in Rhode Island. CEO Adam Swart estimates roughly 40 percent of demonstrators at modern rallies are “paid participants.” He does say he is not involved in any of the “kings” events because he thinks they are ineffective and not worth it.  Swart’s website says they only take clients now with a minimum budget of $20,000.

In an interview with WPRO’s Matt Allen, Swart described his business: people are hired to appear passionate — to fill sidewalks, wave signs, shout slogans, and shape a visual narrative for whoever can afford it.

“It’s better if they believe in the cause,” Swart said. “You can imagine how effective a ‘Never Trumper’ would be in a MAGA hat.”

They even ask applicants their political leanings to “match them up” as much as possible with compatible causes. When reporters approach these crowds, many decline to speak — or refer the press to their event manager usually on site, as they’re instructed. Swart made clear that bad behavior isn’t tolerated, as clients would not come back to him if trouble and arrests were part of his service.

The “No Kings” Weekend

DC No Kings pre-party

Enter the latest round of “No Kings” rallies — hundreds scheduled across the country, some large as in DC, some a small group of people standing on a streetcorner. There will be several here in Rhode Island, most with hours posted, which is rather unusual. Most will last 2-3 hours, four will be just one hour. Two – East Greenwich and Westerly – say are “private.” A private protest?

The timing is interesting: the events follow closely on the heels of the President’s international peace initiative and the release of all living hostages from Hamas — moments that might have cooled tempers, – but, today, only briefly.

Yet the rally language feels frozen in time – from one invitation:

“Things feel pretty dark right now.” – “His policies are deeply unpopular.” – “The cracks are forming.”

Really? Or is it just momentum — a pre-booked outrage machine that rolls forward no matter what the headlines say?

Even the American Federation of Teachers, a regular presence at demonstrations, blurs lines between passion and obligation. When attendance is “strongly encouraged,” is it still spontaneous?

Free Palestine! Isn’t that what just happened?  Will angst turn towards the Hamas who are left slaughtering the Palestinians in dramatic fashion, for the whole world to see.

We did a quickie, informal survey of protesting at Kings, via “X”. So, what may be amplified by the anxious media, on assignment, might not be representative of what most people will do with this day –

Rowing Together

Yes, we all have the American right to peaceful protest. So, let the protests do what they want. Some call is the “hate America rally” – even those who are demonstrating are often against many principals of the United States.

One thinks about what would happen if Americans turned around – just tried rowing in the same direction at the same time. To see world leaders giving accolades for American leadership, recognizing us as the greatest Democracy in the world, leaves you with a sense of “what could be”. Peace. Progress. Compromise. Unity.

There’s a Rhode Island sport – as in many sports – that’s not about doing your own thing, but about doing it together, all rowing in the same direction towards a positive goal.  Rowing. Sculling. It’s success depends on a coxswain’s call and response to keep the group together, on the same pace, at the same time. 
Picture the coxswain’s call:
“Swing together.”
“Long and strong.”
“Make it fly.”

Imagine pulling that way — citizens, unions, teachers, neighbors. Less shouting, more steady rhythm.

Our nature is to rebel, reject, revolt. But what if rebellion turned inward — against cynicism, exhaustion, division?

What do we tell each other?  You get more with honey than vinegar. Compromise is the answer.  Praise more, criticize less. Have a little faith. Watch what people DO, not what they SAY. If you’re going to say “no” to something, then tell us what you say “yes” to.

So, go home. Plant something. Raise a flag. Make an apple pie. Hug your family. Read a book you pick from the library shelf (not the display created for you). Visit a museum that celebrates beauty over angst.  Talk — or pray — with someone outside your circle. Look for common ground.

If you do “No King” it today or tomorrow, look around. Does the anger bring you joy? If not, find what does. There are political movements that are respectful, mature and more effective.

Take the noise down a notch. The country might start to breathe again – and be all we expect “us” to be.