Pool noodle protest signs & patriotism!

Monday, June 16, 2025

What happened? On Saturday, over 5 million people across the country took part in “No Kings” protests, which were designed as an alternative event to the military parade in D.C. The gatherings were rooted in the idea that America doesn’t do kings.

I know some of us in this community voted for President Trump, and we need your voice and presence, too! Because loving our neighbors is bigger than any political party. I know it can feel tough to speak up when your concerns cross party lines, but I’m proud of everyone doing it!¹ I got to catch the tail-end of a No Kings gathering here in Holland, MI, and the energy was electric. It was genuinely a pure joy to gather with other people who love America and care deeply about immigrants, too. In our little West Michigan town, a whole bunch of the signs focused on protecting and loving our immigrant neighbors.

Me and my friend Emily! (Featuring artwork by my two-year-old, and pool noodles because no sticks could be found!)

How can I pray? Pray that God will shore up wisdom and courage in you for these days. Pray that we will be people of love, not fear. Pray for your elected officials by name. Pray for someone you love who votes differently than you do. Pray for the immigrant families in your community, that they will experience deep friendship and be reminded of their value.

What is one more thing I can do? I’m borrowing this from

Emily Amick

, who suggests that one thing we can do is to reclaim patriotism!² Start thinking now! How will you celebrate the Fourth of July? How can part of your celebration include a love for your immigrant neighbors? Share your ideas in the comments below!

“We have a couple weeks till July 4th. Some of America’s best qualities include our desire to renounce kings and our widely varied melting pot of immigrants. Our flag represents these qualities. The iconography has meaning and we need to reclaim it.”

Need some patriotic clothing recommendations? I have this shirt from

Erin H Moon

and the Faith Adjacent team that shows Betsy Ross saying “I didn’t sew this flag for you to be weird about it.” And this “liberty and justice for all” shirt from Read Receipts is on its way now!

1. Cards on the table — as someone who voted for Joe Biden in 2020, I have a lot of practice being disappointed about how the person I voted for handled immigration issues, and I made a lot of phone calls to my reps then, too!

2. Read her whole piece here:

No Kings - Now What? Here’s Exactly What to Do Next