Possibly reaching a tipping point for change

The “No Kings” rally last Saturday was the fourth protest gathering for me since Trump’s second term began. There was a different vibe to this rally than the three other ones I attended. It wasn’t just the jubilant, large turnout at the Whale Park that differentiated this rally. It was the singing, the speeches and the connection to 2,000-plus protests across the nation that made it feel that a turning point could be nearby. 

It all began when familiar local musicians put together their version of the Reggae tune, “Get Up, Stand Up” by Bob Marley. With its instantaneously familiar 2-3 beat rhythm, the crowd was going along with:

Get up, stand up

Get up, stand up, for your rights

Get up, stand up, don’t give up the fight. 

Then Vicki Van Fleet added her own sweet lyrics, capturing these divisive times:

We know and we understand

You’re No King, you’re just a man 

This was the first protest rally for me featuring original lyrics fitting to the moment. A notable moment of protesting through song. This was followed by remarks from former Superior Court Phil Pallenberg. He started by reminding the hundreds of Juneau residents peacefully in attendance that as a judge he was trained to not get involved in politics; to certainly avoid public speaking on current events. Then he eloquently launched forward:

"But I truly believe that we are seeing the authoritarian, fascist takeover of our country. Legislators being shot in their home, a senator being handcuffed for daring to ask a question, people being snatched off the street by masked gunmen because they have brown skin or an accent. Marines on the streets of Los Angeles. I cannot remain silent anymore."

After relating his personal history as a child of immigrants who came from Nazi Germany, he reflected on the challenging times that we’re in. But the most moving part of former judge Pallenberg’s speech came at the end where he spoke directly to those in attendance.  

"This isn’t about policy. It isn’t about right or left. It’s about who we are as Americans. It’s about whether we still believe in liberty and justice for all – not just the rich, not just the powerful, not just born here, and not just those who flatter or enrich Donald Trump. I’m standing here today because I refuse to let fear and hate define this country. Because I believe that no one is above the law. That this county is strongest when it remembers its promise, and lives by its principles. No kings. No tyrants. No fuehrers. We can be better than this. We are better than this."

These are powerful words from an esteemed member of the judiciary and over 1,600 Juneau residents cheered this message. This means that about 5 % of Juneau’s population showed up for the "No Kings" rally. 

I bring forth the 5% number because it triggers awareness about what is called the 3.5% rule, which refers to the observation that nonviolent resistance movements that engage at least 3.5% of a population in sustained protest are highly likely to achieve their goals. This rule is based on historical research suggesting that no government has withstood a challenge of this magnitude of nonviolent protest without either conceding to the movement's demands or experiencing instability.

Professor Eric Chenoweth from the Harvard Kennedy School of Government, does however caution against reading too much into this rule. She says, “the 3.5% figure is a descriptive statistic based on a sample of historical movements. It is not necessarily a prescriptive one, and no one can see the future.” She also emphasized the need to look beyond the threshold and continue to build a broader public constituency. 

Nationally, we still have work to do to get to the 3.5% threshold. The American Civil Liberties Union, a part of the coalition that put on the demonstrations, said that more than five million people participated in over 2,100 rallies and protests. Five million is about 1.6% of our population. 

Yes, there is more work to do nationally. But I park hope in the fact that 25,000 people showed up for the No Kings rally on the Capitol steps of St. Paul, Minnesota despite knowing an armed gunman was still on the loose. They did not let fear and hate define this moment. 

Judge Pallenberg stepped up and spoke out for the same reason. And on this same day, Senator Lisa Murkowski in an interview with The New York Times expressed deep concern over Trump’s actions in Los Angeles. “We do have provisions,” notes Murkowski, “we have laws, we have an understanding that our military is not to be used on our own people.” 

Yes, we have more work to do, but the "No Kings" turnout and these words from notable Alaskans suggest the momentum is growing on the side of “We the People.”  

• Kate Troll, a longtime Alaskan, has more than 25 years of experience in coastal management, fisheries and energy policy and is a former executive director for United Fishermen of Alaska and the Alaska Conservation Voters. She’s been elected to local office twice, written two books and resides in Juneau.