It’s estimated that 50,000 people marched, demonstrated, rallied–and even formed a human banner–for the No Kings Day protests in San Francisco on October 18.
Glen Park couldn’t match that number but what it lacked in quantity it made up for in dramatic impact. Ten somber people walked through the village, dressed in black, carrying signs that read, “Threats to Justice,” each sign bearing a separate element of the theme, accompanied by mournful music. They stopped along the prescribed route to point the signs at oncoming traffic and passersby.
Dubbed “A Lament Walk for Lost Justice,” it was organized by 40-year Chenery Street residents Ann Grogan and her partner Ron Choy.
“It’s street theater akin to a flash mob,” says Grogan. “It’s ceremonial, costumed, amd more disciplined than protests in huge crowds.”
Grogan was also mindful of the seniors in Glen Park who wanted to have their feelings known but were uncomfortable with the idea of enormous gatherings and clogged traffic leading to the venues.
From one grateful walker: “Thank you for providing a safe way to demonstrate our opposition to the horrors that are going on today.”
The event ended with an ice cream and tea social at Cuppa–combining activism with support for our neighborhood merchants.