GiveGlobal Justice Institute Applauds Peaceful Protesters Scheduled for Saturday and Sends Best Wishes
June 13, 2025 | For Immediate Release
The United States is not a monarchy and was established in rebellion against monarchy.
In democracies, monarchs are symbolic and ceremonial, having no guaranteed political influence and most serve as a celebrity, a symbol of unity, that everyone can appreciate regardless of political affiliation.
Other democracies, in fact most democracies, are republics with representative government.
All democracies are meant to not only listen to the will of the majority but also protect the rights of those who are not in the majority, and they are meant to create a nation where equal opportunity and equal protection can be expected.
Every so often in a democracy, a leader emerges who sees governance as an opportunity for personal enrichment or power. Such leaders often defy constitutional norms or attempt to dismantle checks and balances entirely. Democracies depend on an active and informed citizenry. If the electorate gets complacent, autocrats will try to seize and wield power.
In this democracy, the U.S.A., 1500 cities are hosting protests over governmental overreach, attacks on civil liberties, and perceived hostility toward minorities and immigrants. They are declaring "No More Kings" and "no thrones, no crowns, no kings."
These are meant to be peaceful protests and there is the hope that many citizens will get involved in reaffirming self-governance, democratic principles, and in resisting authoritarianism.
The protests embody a vital principle of democracy: that power resides with the people, not with an individual wielding dictatorial authority. Democracies do not have absolute monarchs and they by definition oppose dictator models of leadership.
These demonstrations are a response to perceived abuses of power, and serve as a crucial reminder that elected leaders are servants of the public, bound by constitutional limits and democratic norms.
Such protests are affirmations of a robust civil society. They signal a collective refusal to passively accept actions that undermine established checks and balances, disregard civil liberties, or centralize excessive power. Vigilance against any drift towards unchecked executive authority is paramount if we are to remain truly free.
In 1500 cities on June 14, the day an expensive military parade will be on display in D.C., rather like the ones we have seen in North Korea and Russia in previous years, throngs of protesters will remind their government that no one is above the law and no person in this country is ever to be denied their inalienable rights or the due process that is meant to protect them.
Peaceful, non-violent, non-destructive protests to secure liberty for all and to protect the vulnerable are not only guaranteed in this democracy, but such principled actions can be viewed as righteous.
Jesus staged a protest against greed and exploitation in Jerusalem, the Prophet Nathan confronted King David, Amos preached a fiery sermon reminding everyone who thought they were superior to others that were in fact, not.
Protests against injustice and cruelty are in the prophetic tradition. We pray that all protesters stay safe and operate within the guarantees of the law. We also pray that the protests have a positive impact in this country.
May God's healing blessing upon this wounded nation, and may peace prevail on earth. Amen.
Global Justice Institute Council of Bishops
Presiding Bishop Pat Bumgardner, GJI Founder
Bishop Jim Merritt (Eastern Europe)
Bishop Robert Griffin (Africa & Caribbean)
Bishop Durrell Watkins, Communications Director (Trans* Advocacy)
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