A Desert "No Kings" Protest

Canyons Against Fascism.

On Saturday, June 14, 2025, 5 million people participated in the peaceful “No Kings” protest. ¹Most took to the streets of major cities, yet even rural towns boasted impressive turnouts. A few of us marched in the canyons. Although the human turnout at our desert “No Kings” march was small, we walked in solidarity among the plants, animals, insects, clean air, springs, and flowing streams that benefit all Americans.

Last week, a well-meaning friend encouraged me to take a road trip to a city to join the larger protests. While I support this for anyone able to do so, I feel obligated to participate where I live. There is as much at stake where seemingly no one is looking in the desert as in a metropolis like Los Angeles. Yes, there are different issues with varying levels of immediacy, but ICE raids and Public Land sales are both the actions of an authoritarian regime looking to strip Americans of their rights. This is all connected, we are all connected. Like the streams I mentioned, which eventually join the Colorado River which supports 40 million Americans.

So, Aaron and I marched, with signs strapped to our packs. And each time they got hung up in the willows or snagged while crawling under a fallen cottonwood log, I whispered, “I am doing this for you.” What if we could quantify the more than human life forms that also oppose the dismantling of their rights and protections?

We were joined by a group of five other volunteers who committed to a weekend stewardship project, cleaning up trash, illegal campfire rings, and other recreation impacts. One volunteer also carried an American flag, because June 14 is Flag Day. What could be more American than exercising our right to peacefully assemble while giving back to public lands? Had we all left for a city protest, it would have created a void in this landscape that also needs our love.

There are many ways to take action right now, and so many issues that need us. I frequently ask myself, How can I best help? Since I am not an octopus with eight arms, I remember to stay focused. Taking action looks different for everyone, which is important for efforts to be effective and sustainable. To each of you reading this, I urge you to listen to what tugs hardest. We cannot all do everything but we can make a difference. By doing what we can in one area or a few, we are part of the growing momentum opposing fascist attacks on our democracy and rights.

Action can look like happy hour with friends––while writing your reps!

When it comes to the threats facing Public Lands, that is stolen Indigenous lands, there is no finish line for the changes that are needed. It is our duty to prevent the further environmental pillage of the only world we have. We must remember that the foundation of what we must protect in the years ahead is each other. It is not only the monuments that are threatened but democracy itself.

This will be a lifelong journey for our generation and beyond. It will require our collective devotion and patience. We cannot lose momentum simply because our desired outcome appears distant. The steps we take today will carry us into the horizon. When we remove the notion of a finish line, we pace ourselves for the challenging terrain ahead. It also makes space to move beyond what we understand at present and work toward a future that is even better than what seems clear to us now.

The future is unknown––it always has been. 2025 and beyond are an uncharted landscape for many of us. But what we are witnessing is not new. It is the brutality of the so-called American dream on full display–-and those freedoms have only recently been offered to all Americans, at least in writing. This is a nation of broken treaties.

Each day, when this sinks in, I remind myself that we are awakening. Together. I believe this weekend’s protests are part of this. In the weeks and months ahead, I urge you to lean in, not to what you fear, but to what you love. This is where your strength and purpose await you. Even when it feels impossible, we can do this.

Sending love to you — because that is where the light still exists.

🧡

Morgan

“The path of light is always running beside us on either side, but we cannot see it for the darkness in our hearts. Now we have decided to have some ceremonies and pray for our minds to turn into the path of light. I should not fear the future. You must live today and keep your thoughts in the path of light.”––Diné elder, Wolfkiller

1. The official participation numbers are still being tallied! I will update this when that is available!