‘No Kings’ protests finally sparked patriotic pride for liberals | Opinion
Thanks to the “No Kings” protests last weekend, I felt more patriotic on June 14 than I have on any given Fourth of July for many years. It felt like the left was finally taking back its right to patriotism.
I have often felt a disconnect between myself and my country. In childhood, I loved the courageous stories of the Founding Fathers and Mothers, but I struggle as an adult to reconcile their legacy with the reality of their lives. Similarly, I love the idea of patriotism, but I find it hard to wave a flag when my neighbors are being thrown to the ground by law enforcement for exercising their constitutional rights.
The protests last weekend were a bridge between these competing feelings. They felt like a tangible outpouring of love and determination to save the American Dream. Nationally, organizers have estimated that “No Kings” protests drew more than 5 million participants across more than 2,100 locations, including internationally in Canada, Japan, Mexico and in Europe. It was one of the largest, single-day protests in American history.
But patriotism has often seemed to me the domain of conservatives, not liberals. It’s almost felt embarrassing to consider myself patriotic, and n the past few years, I’ve all but stopped celebrating the Fourth of July because it felt far too hollow.
I watched as my more conservative friends and family members celebrated the day with gusto, however I didn’t think America was worth the fanfare, especially not while we bomb other countries and throw kids in handcuffs, or while police choke innocent men to death on the ground.
But who gets to define what it means to be an American patriot? It can’t be just about waving the flag once a year. I think honoring this country and its people should be striving every day toward the ideals outlined by American revolutionaries; the right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness, even (and especially) in the face of tyranny.
According to a Gallup poll, Republicans’ pride in America has consistently outpaced that of Democrats and Independents. A 2024 poll of “American pride” showed 59% of Republicans, 34% of Democrats and 36% of independents say they are extremely proud to be American. The 25-point gap in extreme pride between Republicans and Democrats now is similar to the country’s overall 28-point average gap since 2001.
On Saturday, it felt like we were showing the world that real, patriotic Americanism is defined by hope and love across political boundaries, not by colors or symbology.
Hope for the future
As I clutched a tiny American flag given to me by a stranger, it felt like the flag was again a symbol of hope, courage and freedom. I cheered and waved it wildly as speakers from across our region bravely spoke to thousands.
“It’s hard to know what to say when you step in front of a crowd that size,” said Sen. Angelique Ashby, who spoke at the Sacramento protest. “You try to give them some modicum of hope, but it’s important also to cling to the truth — which, in this moment, is hostile and dangerous.”
Ashby said she was inspired by the sheer number of people who gathered in front of the Capitol to unite in dissent. “That alone evokes hope,” she said. “This is truly the greatest nation in the world, and today was an incredible reminder of why we never give up on democracy.”
Other local politicians spoke at the protest too, in defiance of the news coming out of Minnesota that morning that a state representative and her husband had been shot and killed in a transparently, politically-motivated attack. But I found it most inspiring when Sacramento City Councilwoman Mai Vang handed the microphone over to her 14-year-old niece and local high school student, Belle Lee.
“I’m here because I believe in justice, and because I refuse to stay silent,” Lee told the roaring crowd. “We are going to be OK. I feel solidarity. I feel hope. And together, we will never stop fighting to build a life where we can shape the world we deserve.”
I think what we experienced Saturday was a specific and rare kind of patriotism — liberal Americanism. It was beautiful and raw. And as we left the west steps of the Capitol, I gave my tiny American flag away to another woman, who waved it proudly above her own head.
This story was originally published June 20, 2025 at 5:00 AM.
