2xfo8h ago
billy joe bowers 🗽

I know people say if you're going to No Kings or any other protest you need to do this and that, or list all the things you should do, but really all you need to do is show up and walk around for a bit.

Really. Just another body there sends a message.

It's not scary, you don't have to do anything. Just show up and hang out with some nice people for a while.

#NoKings

11:44pmWeb
Show threadEdward12h ago
@billyjoebowers but do turn off your phone
Show threadbilly joe bowers 🗽12h ago

@yugthebug

Yes, I didn't mean precautions as much as obligations. I turn my phone off before I drive there.

But most people are there with their phones, taking pictures. So it's like be the one driving the speed limit when everyone else is speeding. 😆

Show threadAdam Moe11h ago
@billyjoebowers @yugthebug I’m driving down to Saint Paul tomorrow for the flagship vibes. It’ll be far too large to mess with in any way as far as police action goes. And maybe we’ll see Baez and The Boss do a duet.
Show threadGrumpy Old Techie 🕊️5h ago

@yugthebug

Better yet, don't take your phone. iPhones still transmit even when they're off because they warn you they are still findable when you "Power off". I don't know android but I won't be surprised if android phones do the same.

@billyjoebowers

Show threadErik11h ago
@billyjoebowers seriously. The Austin No Kings will be very non-scary. They’re aiming for music festival vibes. Bands playing. Dozens of orgs trying to get their messages out. Come. Get fired up. Find your niche for trying to make things better.
Show threadPlay Ball and Fight Fascists11h ago

@billyjoebowers

It is very, very cathartic to be around people who are as mad as you are.

Show threadIf the oceans die, we die....11h ago
@billyjoebowers
I have been to each no kings. Two or more each day in different cities. Being exhausted afterwards but feeling good about it to see so many true patriots show there love of country & the constitution. At the first one I had expressed that it was likely that I could die at the hands of government agents by protesting. This was dismissed as hyperbole. Now we have seen it on streets of America. Video proof. Eye witness proof.
Be careful out there! #ice #criminal #dhs #nokings #usa
Show threadcognitively accessible math10h ago
@billyjoebowers
Also, my pastor asked if I'd be there.
https://www.instagram.com/reels/DUwBr6hkf3B/
India May on Instagram: "Resistance singers in Decorah Iowa ❤️‍🔥🎶🇺🇸"

142 likes, 4 comments - coderedstate on February 14, 2026: "Resistance singers in Decorah Iowa ❤️‍🔥🎶🇺🇸".

Instagram
Show threadTJC-10h ago
@billyjoebowers
Yes...fun, music, walking/marching/singing/puppets...
join us stand up.
https://youtube.com/shorts/Uo3cgZLTlkw?feature=share
NO KINGS 3 KINGSTON NY MARCH 28 2026 PROMO #indivisible #indivisibleulster #resist #nokings

YouTube
Show threadJason Lefkowitz10h ago

@billyjoebowers I would say too: you probably are worried that you need a sign, and how do you make a sign, and what should your sign say, and what if other people don't like your sign, etc etc etc.

But a sign is totally optional. It's nice, but optional. What matters is that you show up. If you have a sign, great. If you don't have a sign, nobody is going to hassle you over it. What will matter is that you showed up.

Show threadbilly joe bowers 🗽10h ago

@jalefkowit

Exactly.

Show threadjustmichelle5h ago
@jalefkowit @billyjoebowers Many of the events have extra signs. Sometimes people bring extra signs. If you a worried about it. You can always offer to hold someone's sign while they get a snack.
Show threadFelis_Catus_Domesticus9h ago
@billyjoebowers
Show threadOrrock LXXXVI XLVII9h ago
@billyjoebowers I’m going as a bike marshal for BADASH Bay Area something or other. I will be protecting the people marching, and they will know that PEOPLE LIKE THEM NOTHING SPECIAL WILLHAVE THEIR BACKS. so go. we are all behind our backs.
Show threadjb6439h ago
@billyjoebowers The worst thing that has happened to me at a protest is that someone bumped into me and said, "Excuse me".
Show threadNorcal Gma 28h ago
@billyjoebowers
Just being around so many people who are also unhappy with this regime is heartening.
Reading the signs and listening to the music gives me hope. Seeing all ages protesting together is the best.
Show threadoldguycrusty8h ago

RE: https://mastodon.online/@billyjoebowers/116303793861967568

@billyjoebowers

This. Yes, just go and hang out.. and the weird thing is that you will meet people there that you would NOT expect to be there. Guaranteed.

This will be my 3rd. Happened both times before. Somebody from work or other part of my life where I never for a second would have thought they would turn out... so thats cool.

Show threadMark Wyner Won’t Comply 7h ago
@billyjoebowers thank you for this. Every action of protest is acceptable. Some folks are hardcore. Some are persistent and safe. Others simply dip their toes in. All of it is important.
Show threadCassandraVert7h ago
And it's fun to go look at all the creative signs.
Show threadToni Aittoniemi5h ago

@billyjoebowers That’s right!

I went to a lot of protests when I was younger, and my actual experience of them was, that they are #networking events which also make a point!

Show threadderptron5h ago
@billyjoebowers When people suggest I need to do this or that I do the other thing because I figure it wasn't considered and so nobody else will.
Show threadDervish4h ago
@billyjoebowers As both an agoraphobe and uncomfortable around strangers, networking events are scary. Even so, having more bodies sends its own message - and the people don't care if you're not shouting slogans or carrying a sign.
Show thread狐ヴィクシー3h ago
@billyjoebowers Can we have no datacenters protests?