Lexington’s No Kings protest was all about love, for our country and each other | Opinion
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- No Kings Love America Peace Parade drew Lexington residents to celebrate unity.
- Participants voiced constitutional concerns and urged citizens to vote for unity.
- Organizers emphasized love, civility and choosing leaders who will unite the nation.
It was beautiful!
The Love America Peace Parade, otherwise known as No Kings, was a positive, hope and faith-filled celebration of like-minded and hearted citizens who love America, the real America, the America we all grew up with, the America of love, of compassion for our fellow citizens — ALL fellow citizens.
It showed compassion and good will to our fellow nations and their citizens across the globe, the America as beacon-of-light moral leadership, treating others as we’d like to be treated, offering the world’s best hope for humanity, the America of Constitutional liberty and justice for all, and equal protection under the law, the America of Washington, Jefferson, Lincoln, the Roosevelts, Eisenhower, JFK, LBJ, and Reagan.
Our connection with millions of like-minded and hearted citizens across America emboldened us. This common yearning to save our heritage stoked the certainty that we shall succeed.
Fittingly for this cause of justice, the Robert F. Stephens Courthouse Plaza held the heart of this lovefest, which extended up and down the streets, and flowed in and out of the nearby bars and restaurants, joined by steady streams of honking cars.
Before arriving, as I strolled down East Main, I passed Good Shepard Episcopal church. I prayed the spirit of goodness and love would flow through me and through all who attended, and that there would be peace and harmony here and throughout the country.
Then — boom — prayers answered! The throngs of colorful message-filled signs, songs, and smiles conveyed the spirit of hope, love, and solidarity that flowed throughout the heart of our fair town. And it was all grounded in love, love for each other, love for our nation, and love for all.
Amidst the smiles and hugs, some fellow sojourners shared why they attended. One gentleman, originally from Pikeville but a teacher in Lexington for over 40 years, said that what is happening now is unprecedented and something he could never have envisioned happening.
“I could never believe that the tyranny and disrespect for our Constitution that is happening now would ever be possible in America. We must change, and it starts with voting…and voting correctly.” He pointed to his sign and said we needed “to vote the right way, for those who will support America’s values, traditions and laws…and our humanity, basic human civility.”
Another gentleman calmly sat with his sign. He said what is happening now is not the America we all knew. He said we need leaders who will unite us. “The next president must truly bring us together.”
Walking back to my car, I mused about what I had seen and heard, and then it struck me: our salvation will come from the love, hope, and positivity that moved us today, not complaints about the next new unprecedented outrage.
The greater our love for each other, including and especially those whom we perceive as opposing us, the deeper our appreciation for our nation and its foundational values, and for the progress we’ve made towards full civil rights and fairness for all, the more certain we are to seek and find the winning way.
And choose uniters “who will truly bring us together.”
Richard Dawahare is a Lexington attorney.