By Ann Burch
PAW PAW – “We are not going to bend. We will not bow. We will not break. We will not capitulate to this lawless, reckless, chaotic, criminal want-to-be dictator of a president,” Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel told a crowd of over 600 at the No Kings 2 rally in Paw Paw held Saturday, Oct. 18.
Nessel, who spoke for a little over 10 minutes, said her office has filed 34 lawsuits against the federal government since Trump took office this past January. She urged everyone to unite to preserve democracy in this country.
“That is going to take all of you, each and every one of you. We have to show up over and over again…that when you have a democracy that is quickly, quickly becoming a dictatorship, an autocracy, the only thing to stop it is peaceful, lawful protests by the people of our country,” Nessel said.
Organized by Indivisible Paw Paw, the No Kings 2 Day of Action protest was one a dozen held in Southwest Michigan and among 2,700 across the country. According to Indivisible national, more than seven million people took to the streets to say America has no kings, and the power belongs to the people.
Before Nessel addressed the group, long-time community organizer Katheen Murphy welcomed the crowd, reminding them that this is the sixth protest put on by Indivisible Paw Paw since April, saying the protests have meaning to those participating.
“When I first got involved with Indivisible Paw Paw back in January, I would read things put out by the national Indivisible about how important building community was. Now, I really get it,” Murphy said. “I didn’t know anyone in the local Indivisible at the time but as we got together, made plans and implemented them, I felt the strength and support of others.”
According to an organization spokesperson, members are committed to supporting groups in Van Buren County that provide essentials to those in need, believing it is a responsibility to help neighbors facing hardship.
Almost $500 was raised at Saturday’s event for the Aleman Center, a food and clothing pantry at Immaculate Conception Church, Hartford, sponsored by the Catholic Diocesan of Kalamazoo.
Past events have contributed more than $2,000 to Southwest Michigan food pantries.
Moving forward, a “Food Drive for Democracy” event is planned for Nov. 8. The caravan, which will travel from South Haven to Paw Paw, finishing in Kalamazoo, will include a food drive for pantries in each community. Check each Indivisible’ s social media site for more details.
“We are focused on the urgency of the actions and responses that are needed. This means we need you!” Murphy said of the local Indivisible’s mission.
“We need you to pay attention, and to participate in this non-violent movement. We abide by the law. We love our country. We love our families,” Murphy said. “I hope that for all of you, that you find community, with us at Indivisible, in your neighborhood, family or friends, or all of the above!”
