Flint, Mi –
On a chilly Spring Saturday, March 28, approximately 8 million people gathered across the United States. Flint was no different, hundreds of people turned out to demonstrate.
As I stood on the corner of Linden and Miller Road taking in the sights and sounds of the protest, I started to speak with those around me to get a feel for the sentiment of the crowd. That’s how I met Brian, a Genesee County resident, there to exercise his first amendment rights.
“What brought you out today?” I asked.
“Are you f#$kin serious!?”
As he laughed out his response, Brian shifted his weight and adjusted his grip on his, “F#$K ICE” sign.
“There are honestly too many reasons to list. I am a big fan of the constitution. It’s worked well when we’ve listened to it.”
His tone shifted from sarcastic and casual to earnest and reflective. He started talking about the people he’s lost, and those who’ve been affected throughout his life by the wars the U.S. has been involved in. He shared that he wasn’t able to join the armed forces at a younger age due to health complications.
“I spent a lot of my life wishing I had the opportunity to serve my country, but now?…”
He didn’t finish the thought; his face was conflicted.
“I am here for my kids.”
As the conversation with Brian wrapped up, I thanked him for his time and returned to walking.
Across Miller Road Flint City Council hopeful Dewuan E. Robinson addressed a crowd of close to 150 people.
Robinson touched on the need for action outside of this singular day. Not just showing up here but showing up regularly to local government meetings. Knowing what resolutions are being voted on. Holding those close to us accountable, even at the dinner table.
As I was listening to Robinson speak, I was tapped on the shoulder.
“I see you taking pictures, are you with somebody?”
I turned to see a grey-haired woman, maybe 5’2, looking at me inquisitively.
“Yes ma’am, Flint City Times!” and handed her my card.
Her name was Linda, and she didn’t waste time getting to her point.
“Are you going to write about why there aren’t any young people here? I am honestly kind of pissed; I’m angry. I have been doing this since the 60’s. everyone here has Gray hair and wrinkles. WHY?!”
“You are the youngest one here and you’re not even young”
As Linda waved her arms out, I looked over the crowd. While I did see a few younger individuals, she did have a point. The demographic of the crowd was older. A few moments later, Linda answered her own question.
“I’ll tell you why. they are apathetic, They think, “what good is this going to do?””
“I am tired, but I am here for my grandkids.”
Linda and I spoke a little longer, and eventually parted ways.
As I walked the protest and mingled, I couldn’t help but think about what I’d heard. Some of the speakers earlier had addressed the need to make real connections with others in the crowd. To network with one another. Was that happening?
Later, back at my keyboard, I kept thinking about what Linda said. During a break, I pulled up Instagram to see coverage of the protests from across the country.
The first reel I see is a video shared by local activist Izzy Brightstar. The reel opens to 9 inflated toads synchronized dancing at a No Kings protest; it then stitches to her.
“This isn’t a PROTEST; this is a rally where you get someones number you wouldn’t have had before.”
“This isn’t disrupting anything. Go Disrupt someone’s monday morning or their middle of the week, In front of the law offices.”
“Oh, that’s inconvenient to you? That’s kind of the point.”
This felt like a cosmic response to the general question that had been nagging at me.
Will organizations already doing the work in Flint, like FAIR or People Powered Flint, see an increase in engagement? Are the right connections being made? Would more direct forms of protest inspire a more diverse turn out?
Is there something today’s protesters could learn from the impact the Flint sit-down strike had on America?
