Eyeing Me Suspiciously?
During Trump's first term, I had no qualms about running around demonstrations like this one with my camera. This time around I feel a little more self-conscious. It may be that people are more suspicious of one another now, not sure who is taking photos for journalistic purposes, or getting photos for an "enemies list."
Perhaps the lady with the "Axis of Evil" sign was looking at something else past me, but with her sunglasses on I couldn't be sure. The guy next to her, in the purple kilt and the long beard, appeared to be hiding behind his sign. Sensing that I might not be trustworthy, I went up the steps and struck up a conversation with the Harlequin Guy, whose photos I have already shared here. We met on February 17th, and we chatted again on April 5th. I figured that if this lady and anyone else saw me chatting with the Harlequin Guy that I would theoretically be "legit."
I know all this sounds paranoid, but we are in are walking in different territory, more dangerous territory, than we were from 2017 to 2021. Our 1st Amendment rights were not threatened during those four years as they are now. Bringing chaos and discord among those who oppose him is the order of the day.
I was glad I was at this rally, but I felt more comfortable at the April 5th rally, as there were far more people, and the saying "there is strength in numbers" is very much a true statement.
Eyeing Me Suspiciously?
During Trump's first term, I had no qualms about running around demonstrations like this one with my camera. This time around I feel a little more self-conscious. It may be that people are more suspicious of one another now, not sure who is taking photos for journalistic purposes, or getting photos for an "enemies list."
Perhaps the lady with the "Axis of Evil" sign was looking at something else past me, but with her sunglasses on I couldn't be sure. The guy next to her, in the purple kilt and the long beard, appeared to be hiding behind his sign. Sensing that I might not be trustworthy, I went up the steps and struck up a conversation with the Harlequin Guy, whose photos I have already shared here. We met on February 17th, and we chatted again on April 5th. I figured that if this lady and anyone else saw me chatting with the Harlequin Guy that I would theoretically be "legit."
I know all this sounds paranoid, but we are in are walking in different territory, more dangerous territory, than we were from 2017 to 2021. Our 1st Amendment rights were not threatened during those four years as they are now. Bringing chaos and discord among those who oppose him is the order of the day.
I was glad I was at this rally, but I felt more comfortable at the April 5th rally, as there were far more people, and the saying "there is strength in numbers" is very much a true statement.