It Takes The Same Energy To Celebrate For Something That It Does To Protest Against Something.
On Friday, over a million people took to the streets of Philadelphia — up Broad Street around City Hall and down the Ben Franklin Parkway to celebrate the Philadelphia Eagles’ second Super Bowl victory in seven years. Philadelphia sports fans did not disappoint; it was a beautiful sight, as always.
Watching the sea of people leaving the Super Bowl parade en masse — over the Spring Garden bridge, up and down the Parkway, and Washington Avenue — streets all over the city got me thinking, though, what if over a million people showed up at City Hall on Monday to protest against the Trump administration?
Monday is Presidents’ Day. First celebrated as a federal holiday in the 1880s to celebrate George Washington’s birthday and later included Abraham Lincoln. Interestingly, it was moved to a Monday to give workers a three-day weekend. The name was changed to President’s Day in the 1970s due to capitalism (stores used the term “President’s Day” to advertise sales). But I digress. We celebrate George Washington on President’s Day because he was central in liberating this country from a tyrannical ruler during the Revolutionary War.
On this President’s Day, Monday, February 15, 2025, 249 years since we declared our independence from one tyrannical leader, a national day of action is scheduled for another — a “Not My President” protest. Per Newsweek: “The event, set to take place in all 50 states, is aimed at opposing policies enacted by President Donald Trump since his return to the White House.” Cities all over the country, including Philadelphia, are hosting protests (City Hall, 12p).
It takes the same energy to celebrate for something that it does to protest against something.
What if we could replicate the energy and size of Friday’s Super Bowl parade at this protest?
On Friday, the good citizens of Philadelphia (and beyond) came out starting in the wee hours of the morning, stood in the cold for many hours, and walked miles to and from with their signs of adoration, yelling their hearts out (Go Birds) every few minutes at the top of their lungs. That is the same energy this country needs right now — but in addition to doing that for our beloved sports team, we need folks to show up at City Hall for a couple of hours on Monday, march those same streets, and use those same hearts and lungs to chant words of resistance for our democracy.
Seven years ago was not only the first Eagles’ Super Bowl win but also the first Trump administration. If you remember (and Philadelphians never forget), Donald Trump uninvited the Eagles to the White House. Trump hates Philly. It is no secret; nothing he does is. If for no other reason than to show Donald Trump some Philly love —we all need to show up on Monday and bring that “boo” energy that Philly sports fans are relentlessly criticized for to show Trump that the city where our democracy was born, is not going be destroy ed— like we destroyed the Kansas City Chiefs last Sunday!
So, let’s bring that same Philadelphia sports fan spirit to fight for democracy. I’ll see you back on Broad Street, at City Hall, on Monday. Go Democracy!
