By Channing S. Haskell
Special to GwinnettForum
PEACHTREE CORNERS, Ga. | Tuesday, phone dings, with a message from my “activist” acquaintances inviting me to join them this past Saturday for participation in the No Kings mass protest. As I was busy with building a shed in my backyard, I was not ready to jump in and deferred to my apathetic side. However, that all changed Thursday afternoon when videos of the government manhandling of U.S. Sen. Alex Padilla of California appeared on the internet.
We gathered locally in Norcross and carpooled the 15 miles to the protest in Suwanee’s Town Center City Park. Following our arrival around 2 p.m., we proceeded through a short pedestrian tunnel under the railroad track, past the Suwanee Police Department where absolutely nothing was happening (very reassuring), across Buford Highway, and into the park.
We immediately joined the crowd who all appeared very happy and enthusiastic about supporting democracy. We hoisted posters, waved flags and chanted responses. Meanwhile, other protesters appeared. As we were positioned next to the highway on the edge of the park, passing motorists soon joined us as they honked, tooted, waved, showing flags, and the occasional poster.
The protesters filled all park areas adjacent to the Buford Highway and Lawrenceville-Suwanee Road, three to five rows deep with others cooling themselves in shade of the park’s many trees. Organizers indicated a crowd size of 2,000. The gathering storm clouds finally inundated the crowd around 3:30 p.m, sending us scurrying to our vehicle but not before a very refreshing cold shower.
The protest was a great experience. There was no drama. It fulfilled the protest poster “This is What Democracy Looks Like.” We should thank the City of Suwanee for allowing this event in a very positive and professional manner.
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