Saturday had the ingredients for a tinderbox of chaos.
The current political climate is way too hot, and unfortunately, has been for quite some time in the United States. We are more divided than ever, we type comments with hatred and vitriol online, and we always feel on the verge of terrible incident or tragedy.
But as the Ruston community always does, it came through, even if a few birds were flipped and few words were exchanged toward the end of the “No Kings” protest in front of City Hall this weekend.
The reality is that it could have been so much worse.
There were nearly 2,000 of these protests all over the United States, and given what’s going on in Los Angeles right now, people were concerned with these smaller pockets of protests all over the country.
In fact, a state-wide political group sent a letter out on Thursday, naming cities in Louisiana (including Ruston) where riots were allegedly being encouraged. And the letter reminded Louisiana citizens that it would be justifiable to run protesters over with their cars should they feel threatened.
More fuel for a potential fire.
However, I am thankful to say that Saturday there was nothing close to a violent riot, nor any need for motorists to question their own safety. Sure, emotions flared, a protester was repeatedly flipping off some Trump supporters, and words were exchanged as some made their way back to their parked cars.
But in the scheme of things, Saturday was, in a word: uneventful.
I offer a heartfelt thanks to everyone involved: the law enforcement and city officials keeping watch, the “No Kings” protesters and Trump supporters staying peacefully assembled, and the cars safely driving by in either support of the protesters’ cause or the president.
Our constitution guarantees the right of assembly and free speech — two things that I am very grateful for as a journalist. Because we’re human, we are inclined to not like speech and assembly if it feels foreign to our own tribes and beliefs — and it’s our constitution that supersedes our own preferences when it comes to politics.
My goal as a journalist are that you’ll never know my politics when you read my stories or columns. Even Saturday, I was able to have conversations with both “No Kings” protesters and the Trump supporters who showed up in the opposite sidewalk. I am able to do that because I believe in people’s rights to support their policies or party, regardless of how I feel personally, and because of the weight of being a non-biased media member.
My hope is that as the national political temperature continues to rise, Ruston’s heart and culture will rise higher. Maybe the nation can look to our little community as an example for how to exercise our constitutional rights in a healthy way when we assemble in public.
After Saturday, I have reason to hold a glimmer of hope that can be the case.
