The local media estimated there was a quarter million people at the south end of Grant Park in Chicago for the No Kings Rally on October 18^th. Many of us marched downtown streets with signs and a feeling of brotherhood for hours after the speakers packed up from addressing the multitudes around the Petrillo bandshell.

Of course, it was impossible to guess the size of the crowd from on the ground. Many of us tried to get related information on cell phones but most of us were ready to be greeted with the news after we took public transportation home or got closer to our cars.

It was said that over seven million people at over two thousand events participated in what was called the largest peaceful protest in this country’s history.  There were marches and rallies against authoritarian rule in London and Madrid, Canada and other countries sympathetic to the challenges of America’s experiment in democracy.

Illinois Governor JB Pritzker, Mayor Brandon Johnson, actor John Cusack, who has strong Chicago ties, were among  the speakers. The two main themes were “No Kings,” echoing the sentiment that even in the age of an imperial presidency no one should be treated as being above the law and “Hands Off.”

“Hands Off Chicago”  (“Hands off” whatever city you call home) is a very big local issue as area residents, most of them Spanish-speaking immigrants, have been rounded up by federalized agents wearing masks and herded into Chevy SUVs without warrants or being clearly accused of specific offenses.

The city is about thirty percent Hispanic. The state also didn’t support Trump for president. The fear among our immigrant population of being deported or detained without cause, regardless of citizenship status, is off the charts.  Any reason to call for national guard deployment Is only about political retribution, not about safety.

Chicago was recently voted “best big city in the US” by Conde Nast for the ninth straight year. Apparently, travelers didn’t get the administration’s memo that this jewel of city is too dangerous for visitors who appreciate fine theatre, music, great architecture and diverse dining options that they would withhold their travel dollars on lodging.

Birmingham, Alabama, Cleveland, Ohio, Kansas City and St Louis, Missouri — all in Red states — have registered more murders per population.

But immigrants here have been living in fear. Children are afraid to go to school.  Their parents are afraid to go to work. People are afraid to go to church. Neighbors are afraid their neighbors will be taken away without legal representation.”

The law is easy to dismiss as powerless when the troops that were brought here without state approval throw tear gas into crowds against orders because they feel they can act with impunity.

As different groups prepared for the event, as they tried to register probable attendees, as they recruited marshals and planned a marching route, as small groups of friends and families made signs, I thought about the event being aimed at sending a message to Trump and his enablers.

On the el train heading downtown, I found myself having short conversations with others also heading to the rally. It felt comforting to tell our stories to each other, to share our respective traumas and somehow know they were all connected.

We’ve all been hurt or disappointed. As individuals, we know we could be less self-centered. We could all do better.

I witnessed complete strangers offering each other bottled water, I benefitted from people offering me a steady hand when I tried to navigate through heavy foot traffic.

Then, under a nearby tent that promoted a rally in DC the first week of November, I heard someone get on her megaphone to announce “We have a lost little girl here. She got separated from her mother and Aunt Maria, who were selling candy. Please come to the Refuse Fascism.org tent at the southest corner of the park.”

Without saying anything, I could see worry on nearby faces. We all had the same thought.  Did ICE come and take her mother and aunt away? After about twenty minutes, I heard murmurs running through the crowd that they were reunited. People relaxed.

I realized, on the level of human experience, that the event was not about crowd size or even about sending an amoral man a message. It was about being with other people who cared.

A large chunk of American citizens CARE ABOUT THE LAW. THEY CARE ABOUT FAMILIES  AND SENIORS AND PEOPLE WHO ARE NOT BILLIONAIRES. They know we’re not voiceless and powerless when they, when WE, band together.

Recognizing the greatest sense of belonging comes from being with people who put their best thoughts and actions into seeing and CARING about a little girl getting reunited with her mother and aunt is no small thing.