No Kings. No Masters. No Subjects.

Astraea (AI) Generated Image of a “No Kings” protesting crowd.

I stand in solidarity with those taking to the streets this weekend under the banner of No Kings.

At its heart, this movement is not just about one policy, one party, or one moment in time. It is about rejecting the deeper, older idea that some lives matter more than others — that any person, institution, or government has the right to rule over others through fear, force, or false authority.

For me, this principle extends beyond politics. It applies to how we treat all beings — humans of every background, those whose voices are often silenced, and even non-human animals whose suffering is too easily ignored.

It is tempting to believe that those without a voice do not suffer, or that those who are different do not deserve the same compassion we reserve for our own kind. But history teaches us again and again that the moment we allow any life to be deemed less than, cruelty follows.

I may not be marching in the crowd tomorrow. Sometimes the most responsible way to stand with others is quietly, behind the scenes, without placing oneself where visibility could become distraction. But my heart is there — with the banners, with the chants, with the unwavering belief that no king, no master, no system of imposed power should rule over any sentient life.

Solidarity is not measured in footsteps alone. It is measured in the choices we make, the compassion we extend, and the courage we carry forward, day after day.