03/26/2026
In 1818, two remarkable things happened. Wi******er became a city. It was built to serve as the center of government for Randolph County in a state that was just two years old.
At the same time, just east and north of Greenville, Ohio, the United States government was meeting with representatives of the Miami, Delaware, and other Indigenous peoples. The bottom line: the government wanted their land, land they had lived on for hundreds of years.
They were offered $4,000($39,000 today) and the promise of unlimited land west of the Mississippi River in Missouri. All they had to do was leave. This agreement became known as the Treaty of St. Mary’s.
They left.
The land was taken over by colonizers from the East. And yes—they were deceived. There was no land waiting for them in Missouri. Desperation caused them to fragment. Many died along their own trails of tears. Others who survived eventually made their way to Oklahoma, where many later perished as well.
Why am I bringing this up now?
Because as we gather to celebrate our country’s 250th birthday, I fear we have not changed as much as we would like to believe. More than anything, we still fail to see the hypocrisy in our own thoughts and actions.
We are a nation of immigrants. Every one of us has ancestors who came here from somewhere else. And yet, in order to justify taking from others, we label them as “other.”
We did it to Indigenous peoples. And we are still doing it today.
We tell ourselves stories—about jobs being taken, votes being stolen, and our beliefs being the only true beliefs. But the real question is this:
Is this who we truly want to be?
This Saturday, millions of people across the country will participate in “No Kings Day.” I am urging you—no, I am asking you—to be one of them.
Why? Because our democracy is at stake.
We have never been closer to losing the very principles and values set forth in our Constitution. This is the moment to stand up. This is the moment to be seen. This is the moment to act.
Get out there. Stand up for democracy.
We fled a monarch. We vowed never to have one again. And yet—look at where we are.
Hypocrisy is the cancer that will bring us down. No outside force will destroy us—we will do it to ourselves if we are not willing to act.
And when your children and grandchildren ask you what you did to protect our democracy—what will you say?
The greatest gift our democracy offers is the right to raise our voices in the public square—to stand on our soapbox and declare what we believe, knowing we are safe to do so.
This is not about being Republican or Democrat. This is about democracy itself.
It is about protecting our Constitution.
It is about ensuring our government works for all people.
It is about honoring the balance and integrity of all three branches of government.
That is why participating in “No Kings Day” matters.
There is a South African concept called Sankofa—to look back at our history, learn from it, and move forward with wisdom and intention.
Now is that moment.
No matter where you live, there will be a “No Kings Day” gathering within reach. Find one. Show up. Be counted.
Visit: www.lcv.org/nokings
And if you cannot attend—then pray.
Pray that we remember who we are.
Pray that we recognize we are far more alike than different.
Pray that we commit ourselves to justice, equality, and inclusion.
Pray for an outcome that serves the highest and best for all.
But above all—do something.
History is watching.
Jack
Preacher… got to preach.
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