By Kimberly Mayer

Journal contributor

Oct. 18 marked the largest single day of protest in U.S. history. Comprised of a network of progressive organizations, No Kings organized 2,600 peaceful protests in nearly all states — people exercising their constitutional rights, reminding the world our country was founded in opposition to monarchy.

More than seven million people participated in No Kings Day nationally. And on a little island in the middle of nowhere with a year-round population of 7,500, an astonishing 1,000 people of all ages assembled. It seemed everyone from San Juan Island was there. Starting/kicking off at noon on the courthouse lawn, then parading through town, a far cry from House Speaker Mike Johnson’s characterization of our protests as “hate America rallies.” Any passerby would note the flag on our side, creativity in homemade signs and delightful frivolity in costumes.

Parading with an inflated dinosaur, a pair of chipmunks, unicorns, an eagle, orcas and a furry fox, it’s no wonder I heard Dr. Seuss’s “Horton Hears a Who” in my head! For anyone not acquainted with the beloved children’s book, the story is of an elephant named Horton who, because of his enormous ears, is capable of hearing what no one else could: a small voice in a speck of dust. Which turned out to be all the Whos in Whoville where every voice counts.

He looked and he looked. He could see nothing there

But a small speck of dust blowing past through the air.

“I say!” murmured Horton. “I’ve never heard tell

Of a small speck of dust that is able to yell.”

“And, all over Who-ville, they whooped up a racket.

“We are here! We are here! We are here!” they cried.

“You mean …” Horton gasped

“You have buildings there, too?”

“Oh yes,” piped the voice. “We most certainly do …

I know,” called the voice, “I’m too small to be seen

But I’m the Mayor of a town that is friendly and clean.

Our buildings, to you, would seem terribly small

But to us, who aren’t big, they are wonderfully tall.

My town is called Who-ville, for I am a Who

And we Whos are all thankful and grateful to you.”

“Mr. Mayor! Mr. Mayor!” Horton called.

“You’ve got to prove now that you really are there!

So call a big meeting. Get everyone out.

Make every Who holler! Make every Who shout!”

“We are here! We are here! We are here!”