The morning of “No Kings Day” in America. I turned on the tv, expecting to see something related to Trump. Or the removal of Trump. Something distinctly trumpist. Instead, the Baltimore Marathon was on. More than 14,000 runners, jogging through the streets of what DJT has called “a crime disaster” and “a hellhole.” Not really, Mr. President. Not really. More like a 5K and a 10K and thousands of happy people in a City celebrating both the Marathon and the Baltimore Comic-Con. 

It kinda felt like the people of Baltimore, like Marylanders, were taking a stand. Something they’ve been known to do.

It was 1814. The war of 1812 was dragging on, and the American forces had just been beaten by the British at the Battle of North Point. It was a loss for the Americans, but it did serve to delay the British forces long enough for American troops, and volunteer Marylanders, to set up a defense system.

What happened at Fort McHenry, is the stuff of legend. A relative handful of Americans holding off the British Navy. It was an inspiration for Francis Scott Key, who penned what would become our National Anthem, The Star-Spangled Banner, as he watched “bombs bursting in air.” 

But there was more to it, much more, as Marylanders, many of whom had gathered in what is now Patterson Park, dug in along a three mile line, from the outer harbor in Canton out to Belair Road. They were anticipating the possibility that the defenses at Fort McHenry, might not hold. In effect, the Marylanders were saying, “This far and no farther.” 

It was a not to be forgotten act of bravery in a country still in its infancy. And now, more than 200 years later, Maryland, was doing it again. After a fashion, at least. And they were doing it with a Marathon.

This time, there was no line of armed locals awaiting the arrival of the one of the most feared armies in the world. This time, there were thousands of people taking to the streets to celebrate their city and state, despite a President, who had called out their home for being “a crime disaster.” 

This time it was a figurative rather than a literal stand, against a delusional President with designs on being a king. The first American king. A man who is sending American troops out onto American streets with no need to do so, other than to create a false impression through a fake insurrection, opening the door for his seizure of our Constitutional Democracy. 

Today, no troops were visible on the streets of Baltimore. None were needed. Trump’s fake emergency in what he calls a “hellhole” wasn’t happening. Instead there were thousands of runners and spectators proving him wrong. 

Maryland, the State where the country’s original Washington Monument still stands in the heart of Baltimore, had already taken a stand against one king. Now, you might say, they were taking a stand against another. And they were doing it on “No Kings Day.” 

Call it happenstance, fate or something else, it all dovetailed together quite nicely, feeling like it was exactly as it was supposed to be. A voice from the past, with a message for the future perhaps? No Kings in America. Not now. Not ever. 

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