Stay safe, stay united – and never give the pathetic wannabe king and his Fascists an excuse for a crackdown. Never let idiots or provocateurs succeed with any incitement!
I’ll be at the No Kings rally at the Capitol in Austin with my step daughter, her husband and my two teenage grandkids. Greg Abbott has called in the National Guard and Dept. of Public Safety troopers to try and intimidate us but he won’t be successful. 💪 Good luck everyone today!!!
Hi, Lisa! I'm a fellow Texan who lives here in the Rio Grande Valley area, and I'll be joining the rally later this morning! I have my sign--and my feet!--all ready to go. The best of luck to all of us! 😊👍🏼
How did it go Lisa? Husband and I are heading out soon for a 4pm No Kings Rally a few miles from LAX. Got our signs ready. Mine has a large picture of the American Flag with "It's Our Flag Too!"
Just got home from the Austin rally and the crowd was huge! It was 100 degrees on Congress Avenue as we marched down the street from the Capitol, but that didn’t stop anyone. Lots of great signs and positive energy. There were State Troopers there checking backpacks, etc. but they were polite and professional. There may have been National Guard members there as well, but if so I didn’t see them.
It was a great experience!! Anxious to hear how many people were at the rallies nationwide. I heard 200,000 in D.C. - good heavens, is that true?
Heading to the downtown LA rally today with a friend!! Previously, went to Pasadena twice but this time is the Big Time……with American flags in one hand and these signs - FIGHT TRUTH DECAY and SAVE AMERICA’S HEALTHCARE - SUPPORT DEMOCRATS! Stay cool but loud, nonviolent but strong! Historic day❤️
Jammed, huge and very diverse - and peaceful! Lots of noise and music and signs but no violence. So many great signs - two of the best were "WORST SEQUEL EVER" and (after Friday night's unbelievable blow-out Dodgers game) "NO KING BUT OHTANI'. Couldn't hear or see the speakers, but the marching was so good - all around Grand Park, up and down. We took the Metro from one of the Pasadena/Mission stations both way - easy and uncrowded - and had dinner in Little Tokyo before heading home. Great day at the Rally! How and where was your 4pm?
Great to hear!! So many great signs at our rally a few miles from LAX. One sign said "Okay Maybe Just One King" with a picture of Ohtani on it. There was music and we had quite a big turnout. It was very energizing. We ran into a lot of people we hadn't seen in a long time. The neighborhood turned out!
Oh that's a good one for Ohtani! That's the great thing about doing a more local rally - meeting your friends and neighbors! I live in Silver Lake, and when i was leaving to go to the DTLA rally, a couple of neighbors were on the street with signs. When I asked, they said they were headed for Pasadena! Very encouraging for all.
Yes. Agree! Great to run into old friends. It was also exciting to see people leaving or arriving around the surrounding neighborhoods with signs. So encouraging and it was great seeing how many people feel the same way. Gives you the sense that all is not lost. I have a good feeling about Prop 50. I wish other states would do it as well. I wish CA had done more seats but I get my Newson stuck to 5.
Simon and staff, I know you have amazing skills for creating visual representations of data. Hooray! You may think it's obvious that one color means "approve" and another means "disapprove." For example, I can infer that if Democrats disapprove of Trump's performance on healthcare, that color means "disapprove" wherever it appears in the bar chart. But some results may seem less obvious. It would be helpful if you included a key. Just a thought. Thanks to all for your hard work and for posting the thank-you video from Abigail Spanberger.
"We Shall Overcome." We proudly pick up the inspiring anthem of the Civil Rights Movement--a song of peace, determination, persistence and belief--that put hope into action. Otherwise, we're all on the cusp of living in the Jim Crow South where rights are not equal, liberties are quashed by repression, and the Constitution does not exist.
I'm headed out shortly to get the organizing/safety team rolling at our local No Kings here at the Jersey Shore. We now have close to 3K signups, it will be insanity! People are fired up, and folks who have never done it are asking how they can participate. So excited to be a part of joyful, non-violent social change. Let's do this!
"Get in trouble. Good trouble. Necessary trouble, and help redeem the soul of America." -John Lewis
Simon, thank you to you and your staff for all you *do*, and for all you facilitate to help others do more as well.
I have not been reading your Substack recently, but in today's summary of what to do for 2025, I did not see mention of the Georgia Public Service Commission elections. This commission has been completely captured by the utilities it is supposed to regulate. Two of the five incumbents are up for reelection, the challengers are far superior, the voting for each Commissioner is state wide, and turnout in these elections is extremely light.
Things you can do: For anyone registered in Georgia, your vote counts, make a plan, get to the polls, and vote for both Peter Hubbard and Alicia Johnson. For Georgia residents or anyone else, contribute to these candidates. For a state-wide race, the amount of money the challengers have received is minuscule; your money can make a real difference.
Regulatory capture by utilities is a problem nation wide. Don't even get me started on the California Public Utilities Commission. The name is a complete misnomer. They only "regulate" privatetly held corporate for profit utilities and they repeatedly demonstrate their lack of interest in protecting the public. The San Bruno explosion that killed over 50 people and the Paradise Fire are just two examples of their negligence that led to preventable death. Guess who pays the liability... the ratepayer not the shareholder thanks to the "reguatory" decision of the CPUC.
Good luck to you in ovrturning the status quo in Georgia.
We have over 145 proud Americans signed up on INDIVISIBLE to rally in my small rural and red county of Mathews, VA. About 30-40 of us have been protesting every Tuesday at 5:00 and we’re are garnering more and more thumbs up and honks by those driving by rather than thumbs down and slurs. Most of us are in our 70’s, 80’s and one 92 year old! We do have a smattering of 40-60 year olds as well!
Simon and fellow Hopium PPPs - I'm still recovering from my second knee replacement surgery in 4 months, so I'm not able yet to leave my house and join a protest, but I am with you all in spirit today. Please be safe and let's give him hell. Solidarity!
Great turnout in Chicago, and I know there was an Evanston event since my sister met folks on her train to Chicago heading into Evanston. Our local LaGrange had a great turnout as I am told by friends. Could not believe how peaceful Chicago was and the police did a great job of keeping the roads open for the rally/parade. There will be more for you to attend so happy healing.
About to leave for our local protest in beautiful Chelsea, Michigan! With too many signs, 3 US flags, a bunch of patriotic Mardi Gras beads to give away, and a cowbell. Because what rally doesn't Need More Cowbell?
How one South Jersey soybean farmer is being squeezed by warehouses, rising costs, and tariffs
by Frank Kummer
Published Oct. 17, 2025, 5:00 a.m. ET
https://share.inquirer.com/fqsmRM
Stay safe, stay united – and never give the pathetic wannabe king and his Fascists an excuse for a crackdown. Never let idiots or provocateurs succeed with any incitement!
Never, never, never! 🕊️💐
I’ll be at the No Kings rally at the Capitol in Austin with my step daughter, her husband and my two teenage grandkids. Greg Abbott has called in the National Guard and Dept. of Public Safety troopers to try and intimidate us but he won’t be successful. 💪 Good luck everyone today!!!
Good luck to you Lisa and do report back in later today!
Thank you Simon! Good luck at No Kings in D.C.!
MAGA! – Mothers Against Greg Abbott!
https://mothersagainstgregabbott.com/
There are signs for that group on my street ❤️
Now THAT’s my kind of MAGA!!!!
Hi, Lisa! I'm a fellow Texan who lives here in the Rio Grande Valley area, and I'll be joining the rally later this morning! I have my sign--and my feet!--all ready to go. The best of luck to all of us! 😊👍🏼
Good luck Veronica!!
I'm sure many of us are interested in hearing about No Kings in Austin.
Please let us know when you have the time.
Yay Austin!
How did it go Lisa? Husband and I are heading out soon for a 4pm No Kings Rally a few miles from LAX. Got our signs ready. Mine has a large picture of the American Flag with "It's Our Flag Too!"
Looks like the crowd was a good one - https://bsky.app/profile/candicebernd.bsky.social/post/3m3ij66ylns2t
Just got home from the Austin rally and the crowd was huge! It was 100 degrees on Congress Avenue as we marched down the street from the Capitol, but that didn’t stop anyone. Lots of great signs and positive energy. There were State Troopers there checking backpacks, etc. but they were polite and professional. There may have been National Guard members there as well, but if so I didn’t see them.
It was a great experience!! Anxious to hear how many people were at the rallies nationwide. I heard 200,000 in D.C. - good heavens, is that true?
The estimates now are 7m nationwide, 2m more than last time. A big day!
And glad everything went smoothly in Austin, despite your ridiculous governor.
You’re much more diplomatic than I am in describing Abbott 😉
As you predicted, it was the largest day of nation-wide protest in U.S. history! https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/live-blog/no-kings-protests-trump-administration-live-updates-rcna238009
Great to hear Austin had such a great turnout and it well smoothly!
Heading to the downtown LA rally today with a friend!! Previously, went to Pasadena twice but this time is the Big Time……with American flags in one hand and these signs - FIGHT TRUTH DECAY and SAVE AMERICA’S HEALTHCARE - SUPPORT DEMOCRATS! Stay cool but loud, nonviolent but strong! Historic day❤️
Husband and I heading out soon for 4pm rally. How was the rally Downtown?
Jammed, huge and very diverse - and peaceful! Lots of noise and music and signs but no violence. So many great signs - two of the best were "WORST SEQUEL EVER" and (after Friday night's unbelievable blow-out Dodgers game) "NO KING BUT OHTANI'. Couldn't hear or see the speakers, but the marching was so good - all around Grand Park, up and down. We took the Metro from one of the Pasadena/Mission stations both way - easy and uncrowded - and had dinner in Little Tokyo before heading home. Great day at the Rally! How and where was your 4pm?
Great to hear!! So many great signs at our rally a few miles from LAX. One sign said "Okay Maybe Just One King" with a picture of Ohtani on it. There was music and we had quite a big turnout. It was very energizing. We ran into a lot of people we hadn't seen in a long time. The neighborhood turned out!
Oh that's a good one for Ohtani! That's the great thing about doing a more local rally - meeting your friends and neighbors! I live in Silver Lake, and when i was leaving to go to the DTLA rally, a couple of neighbors were on the street with signs. When I asked, they said they were headed for Pasadena! Very encouraging for all.
Yes. Agree! Great to run into old friends. It was also exciting to see people leaving or arriving around the surrounding neighborhoods with signs. So encouraging and it was great seeing how many people feel the same way. Gives you the sense that all is not lost. I have a good feeling about Prop 50. I wish other states would do it as well. I wish CA had done more seats but I get my Newson stuck to 5.
It’s a beautiful morning in northern NJ. Heading out to a local rally in 2 hours. Signs made, American flag by the door.
Love the polling news. 🤞(+ hard work) they translate to significant victories in VA & NJ.
Reposting an amazing anthem:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AlA-nuOY638
Woot Central Jersey represented w 2 events totaling 4K or so people. Yes, we exist! Everyone was registered and ready to vote or had voted already!
Trenton had a few hundred, too, so 3 events totaling over 5K all told.
Simon and staff, I know you have amazing skills for creating visual representations of data. Hooray! You may think it's obvious that one color means "approve" and another means "disapprove." For example, I can infer that if Democrats disapprove of Trump's performance on healthcare, that color means "disapprove" wherever it appears in the bar chart. But some results may seem less obvious. It would be helpful if you included a key. Just a thought. Thanks to all for your hard work and for posting the thank-you video from Abigail Spanberger.
"We Shall Overcome." We proudly pick up the inspiring anthem of the Civil Rights Movement--a song of peace, determination, persistence and belief--that put hope into action. Otherwise, we're all on the cusp of living in the Jim Crow South where rights are not equal, liberties are quashed by repression, and the Constitution does not exist.
I'm headed out shortly to get the organizing/safety team rolling at our local No Kings here at the Jersey Shore. We now have close to 3K signups, it will be insanity! People are fired up, and folks who have never done it are asking how they can participate. So excited to be a part of joyful, non-violent social change. Let's do this!
"Get in trouble. Good trouble. Necessary trouble, and help redeem the soul of America." -John Lewis
Simon, thank you to you and your staff for all you *do*, and for all you facilitate to help others do more as well.
I have not been reading your Substack recently, but in today's summary of what to do for 2025, I did not see mention of the Georgia Public Service Commission elections. This commission has been completely captured by the utilities it is supposed to regulate. Two of the five incumbents are up for reelection, the challengers are far superior, the voting for each Commissioner is state wide, and turnout in these elections is extremely light.
Things you can do: For anyone registered in Georgia, your vote counts, make a plan, get to the polls, and vote for both Peter Hubbard and Alicia Johnson. For Georgia residents or anyone else, contribute to these candidates. For a state-wide race, the amount of money the challengers have received is minuscule; your money can make a real difference.
Regulatory capture by utilities is a problem nation wide. Don't even get me started on the California Public Utilities Commission. The name is a complete misnomer. They only "regulate" privatetly held corporate for profit utilities and they repeatedly demonstrate their lack of interest in protecting the public. The San Bruno explosion that killed over 50 people and the Paradise Fire are just two examples of their negligence that led to preventable death. Guess who pays the liability... the ratepayer not the shareholder thanks to the "reguatory" decision of the CPUC.
Good luck to you in ovrturning the status quo in Georgia.
Heading to a protest in a very red part of WI this AM. I’m going with friends and look forward to making our voices heard.
Thank you Simon. . I continue to write my daily haikus as my own way of protest:
NO KINGS DAY
https://www.dailyhaikuforyou.com Please join us!
In Augusta, we start at 4:00. The plaza has the Saturday market in the AM. would love to post pics, but have yet to figure out how. Can anyone help?
Simon posted a link in this newsletter. Ask any 13 year old to help you! 😉
You can email your No Kings photos (or voting photos) to community@hopiumchronicles.com. Hope to see yours, Gayla!
Simon's got an email address in today's post that you can send photos to
We have over 145 proud Americans signed up on INDIVISIBLE to rally in my small rural and red county of Mathews, VA. About 30-40 of us have been protesting every Tuesday at 5:00 and we’re are garnering more and more thumbs up and honks by those driving by rather than thumbs down and slurs. Most of us are in our 70’s, 80’s and one 92 year old! We do have a smattering of 40-60 year olds as well!
Simon and fellow Hopium PPPs - I'm still recovering from my second knee replacement surgery in 4 months, so I'm not able yet to leave my house and join a protest, but I am with you all in spirit today. Please be safe and let's give him hell. Solidarity!
You'll do double-duty to make up for it once you receive your medical clearance!
Cheer everyone on from home, and take care of yourself.
There are infinite ways to be part of the opposition ❤️❤️❤️
Great turnout in Chicago, and I know there was an Evanston event since my sister met folks on her train to Chicago heading into Evanston. Our local LaGrange had a great turnout as I am told by friends. Could not believe how peaceful Chicago was and the police did a great job of keeping the roads open for the rally/parade. There will be more for you to attend so happy healing.
About to leave for our local protest in beautiful Chelsea, Michigan! With too many signs, 3 US flags, a bunch of patriotic Mardi Gras beads to give away, and a cowbell. Because what rally doesn't Need More Cowbell?
Let's go make history, folks!
In Santa Fe, wearing yellow, with bubbles and drums....WE LOVE OUR COUNTRY