As I have thought more about the "No Kings" protests on June 14, and what I saw in the Grand Rapids protest, the more I am inclined to think that was a turning point for the resistance to Trump's dictatorship.
As many as five million Americans participated in the "No Kings" protests across America in over 1,500 communities. This was possibly the single biggest mass protest in American history. At the same time, the military parade for Trump's birthday in Washington was a pathetic flop. If you don't think so, just Google the images of the "No Trumps" protests and the military parade. Look at Trump and Melania. Do they look enthusiastic about the parade? Decide for yourself. Look at the images of people scattered over the grass and the stands. Does that look like a big turnout for Trump? Why were there no Trump supporters at the Grand Rapids "No Kings" demonstrations--or at other "No Kings" gatherings as far as I can tell?
Why didn't my wife and I see Trump supporters at the Grand Rapids rally? Were they all in Washington for the military parade? Well, apparently not. Because the parade was not well attended.
Now, I understand that most of us might assume that overturning a monarchic dictator like Trump might require that a great majority of people would have to rebel against his rule. But as Chenoweth has indicated, as few as 3.5 percent of the people actively involved in a resistance movement might be enough to overturn a dictatorial regime.
Most human beings are passively deferential to whatever regime rules over them. A smaller group are actively supportive of the regime--like Trump's fervent supporters. But that leaves an active third or so of the people who might actively resist--by protesting--like the "No Kings" protesters.
Donald Trump is aware of that. That's why he's so visibly disturbed by the fact that his people did not turn out on June 14--either to support his military parade or to harass the "No Kings" protests.
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