Protests are scheduled to take place in various urban centers across the United States. Yesterday, California Lt. Colonel Eleni Kunarakis appeared on MSNBC, highlighting the importance of these demonstrations under the banner #nokings. She emphasized, “People are very determined to come out there and be seen. This is the United States. We don’t want a king.”
However, there’s an underlying reality that she didn’t mention. Behind the scenes, California Democrats are orchestrating protests from Orange County to Oakland, utilizing the full extent of their organizational capabilities. The Democratic National Committee is playing a significant role in coordinating actions nationwide, from California to Florida.
According to an analysis by the Pearl Project—a non-profit journalism initiative—the protests are coordinated by 197 organizations aligned with the Democratic Party. Together, they generate an impressive $2.1 billion in annual revenue aimed at supporting these initiatives. I refer to this as the protest industrial complex, a clear system of political mobilization.
Recent findings from Mobilize.us, a platform used by the Democratic Party, reveal that over 70 affiliates are managing protests in 21 states and the District of Columbia. This indicates that these gatherings are more about organized opposition rather than spontaneous grassroots actions.
Despite the claims of grassroots movements, it’s evident that #Nokings represents choreographed political theater in urban America. As the editor-in-chief of the Pearl Project, I compiled this data last week, unveiling the structure behind the so-called “Day of Defiance.” Our research traced the digital and physical tools that enable the June 14th demonstration.
Here’s a brief overview of my findings about the Democrats’ involvement:
- At least 70 distinct Democratic committees are hosting around 140 protest events nationwide.
- Democratic clubs are also organizing protests in countries like Australia, Italy, Mexico, and Norway.
It’s important to recognize that the Democrats are not just supporting these protests; they are often the driving force behind them, albeit subtly.
The Democratic National Committee and associated clubs have a significant footprint across the country, which I’ll elaborate on to keep you informed:
- Arizona: Multiple local Democratic committees.
- California: Numerous Democratic clubs statewide.
- District of Columbia: Active local Democratic chapters.
- Florida: A variety of county Democrats hosting events.
- Georgia: Numerous active local Democratic organizations.
- Illinois, Indiana, Maryland, Michigan, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New York, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Ohio, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Wisconsin: Many local chapters organizing events.
This extensive list suggests that we are witnessing a structured party infrastructure rather than a genuine protest movement. The intent isn’t to stop a “king,” but rather to safeguard political positions.
Across the nation, local Democratic organizations distribute branded materials and organize demonstrations with specific, pre-approved messaging. In various cities, such as Santa Monica, local clubs proudly parade their affiliations, while others in Florida focus on voter registration campaigns under the #Nokings theme, blurring the line between protest and political campaigning.
What I haven’t encountered in mainstream media is this: the events, far from being the free actions of concerned citizens, are highly orchestrated by the Democrats, complete with pre-approved slogans that echo moral resistance.
Longtime Democratic volunteers have shared with me the internal pressures they face to get involved. The irony lies in those criticizing authoritarianism while persistently employing governance tactics themselves.
This situation is critical. Reflecting on my experiences, particularly the loss of loved ones to extremism, I see the same divisive ideologies manifesting on American streets today, cloaked in slogans about democracy.
My recent book, Woke Army, cautioned about the troubling alliances forming between extremist factions, and today’s protests exemplify this trend. The underlying motive seems to be to sway public opinion in the upcoming election cycle rather than a genuine grassroots uprising.
Ultimately, the narrative surrounding Donald Trump isn’t the sole focus here. It’s about the politicization of protests, controlled by those already in power.
As these demonstrations unfold, it’s crucial for voters to remain alert to the forces at play. When you see a protestor, ask yourself: Who funded that sign? Who benefits from this event? The central message at these gatherings appears increasingly about party survival and control rather than authentic democratic expression.
This situation calls for a clearer understanding of the nature of protests today: they’re not the grassroots movements they claim to be but rather a reflection of party politics within the Democratic framework.
