Grateful to the No Kings Protesters

Quickly sharing a few links ...

Author

Sandy Allen
October 19, 2025

Welcome to What’s Helping Today, a newsletter about the everyday work of staying alive on earth — written by author and journalist Sandy Ernest Allen.

Hi all,

I wanted to share What’s Helping Today … related to No Kings …

These remarks from our Massachusetts senators:

I asked my followers today What’s Helping Today … as I often do and many people echoed sentiments I feel too:

seeing a senator drape the trans flag over his shoulders at a protest yesterday and unequivocally saying "trans rights are human rights"

— robin ☕️ gentoo era (@coffeeknife.bsky.social)2025-10-19T14:01:46.986Z

It means we really aren't as alone as we usually feel in our day to day lives.

— Nick (@dyadiccalamity.bsky.social)2025-10-19T14:17:49.052Z

Read Bill McKibben’s remarks from Boston:

I returned to the site of the original "No Kings" protest

A letter from Lexington’s Battle Green.

www.motherjones.com/politics/2025/10/i-returned-to-the-site-of-the-original-no-kings-protest

“And so we will fight—nonviolently, but without cease.”

Yesterday mattered, in my opinion …

We're going to win.

— Leah Greenberg ❌👑 (@leahgreenberg.bsky.social)2025-10-19T13:39:33.686Z

While it doesn’t surprise me, these pics sure made my Bay Area heart glow:

I joined the "human banner" at San Francisco's Ocean Beach. This flag was at the center. It was a gorgeous day with enormous waves. #nokings

— Annalee Newitz (@annaleen.bsky.social)2025-10-19T01:09:58.540Z

Holding this administration accountable, as a people, as journalists, it is important …

Trump’s Secret Police Shot a Citizen. Then Damning New Info Emerged.

As the official Trump administration line about the shooting of a Chicago woman crumbles, Senator Chris Murphy is asking pointed questions about what really happened here. Will we ever get answers?

newrepublic.com/article/201957/trump-chicago-secret-police-shot-woman-damning-info

Seeing all manner of Americans stand up en masse for our collective civil liberties, for trans people, for immigrants, for our free press, for science — this in my view is huge:

America Is 'Worth Fighting For' Say Protesters at 'No Kings' Rally

In the largest protests against Trump's administration and policies to date, participants express fear and loathing at America’s political trajectory.

www.rollingstone.com/politics/politics-features/no-kings-protesters-against-trump-authoritarianism-dc-1235449984

And yesterday’s turnout was literally huge:

Good morning! @gelliottmorris.com and I have crossed 2.5 million #nokings protesters counted. Our nationwide, unofficial, crowdsourced estimate is now at 4.7-7.9 million. Thank you to all of our local colleagues and volunteers that made this work possible. docs.google.com/spreadsheets...

— Alex Ip 葉清霖 (@alexip718.com)2025-10-19T14:03:42.858Z

Indeed:

Because they are a conservative rag.

— Katelyn Boo-urns (@katelynburns.com)2025-10-19T14:30:10.492Z

Indeed:

Pro-regime media is funded by your wordle addiction. If you or someone you know is struggling with a NYT subscription please show them video games

— Matt Negrin still host of Hardball on MSNBC (@mattnegrin.bsky.social)2025-10-19T12:30:59.163Z

Genuinely: Thank you to all who went out and protested yesterday. If you want to write me telling me about it — especially if it was your first time doing such a thing — please feel free.

Sending love,
Sandy

p.s. Great new episode of Heavyweight.

p.p.s. Periodic reminder that I offer consulting for fellow media professionals and for (mental) health professionals … Learn more here.

p.p.p.s. Periodic reminder that I’m also available to speak.

Thanks for reading What’s Helping Today, a newsletter by me — author and journalist Sandy Ernest Allen. If you were forwarded this message, WHT is free; you can subscribe here. If you like my work: Please consider supporting me via my Buy Me a Coffee. My suggested amount of $5 a month (or more!) will get you access to perks (perks TBA!) … Your help in supporting my work is greatly appreciated!