Donkey Day
Thanks to Faithful America for inspiring this Great Idea!
Faithful America writes,
‘On Flag Day, Donald Trump plans to put tanks in the streets of Washington, D.C. — in a made-for-TV display of dominance — for his birthday.
It’s a spectacle to show strength. But it’s just an illusion.
Donald Trump and his allies are putting together this grotesque celebration of empire to convince us that their power is limitless and eternal — the stuff of kings and emperors. And Trump’s court pastors will praise him for it because it preserves their wealth, power, and control as well.
But as Christians, we know that empire cannot and will not stand forever. Donald Trump may be able to fill our nation’s capital with soldiers and tanks for a day. But he can’t silence the majority of Americans who reject the dangerous politics of hatred and division — and refuse to bend the knee to a self-declared king.
On Saturday, June 14, national and local progressive organizations including Faithful America, are hitting the streets to show that real strength doesn’t come from tanks — it comes from love, solidarity, and community.
Social-justice Christians need to be a part of this action — will you join us?
Here’s everything you will need to be ready to hit the streets on Saturday, June 14:
- Find a No Kings Day event near you — there are more than 1400 events already scheduled! And if there isn’t one near you, you can sign up to host one.
- Download a pack of our BRAND NEW progressive Christian rally signs — including special signs for No Kings Day. These pro-immigrant, pro-LGBTQ, anti-greed signs will help you show your community that there’s nothing Christian about Donald Trump’s agenda. You can download them for free and print them at home or in a print shop near you.
- Know your rights before you go. These will be peaceful, legal, nonviolent protests — but it’s still important to know what to do if police or counter-protesters confront you. This page from the ACLU has a great list of your rights as a protester and actions you can take if you feel those rights are violated.
This is a significant opportunity for social-justice Christians to show the world what walking in Jesus’ prophetic footsteps means. Christian-nationalist leaders will be vocal in their praise for Trump’s threatening display of military might. Let’s provide a meaningful, public counter-witness rooted in peace, love, and justice.
[All bold and highlights are original.]
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I do not advise bringing a real donkey with you to your local rally.
However, if you are in a rural area where a big rally isn’t already planned – you could hold your own – and include an actual donkey.
Remember that farmer who lends you a donkey for Palm Sunday? This is the REAL THING!
This is Palm Sunday in action.
Bring in the donkey.
Use the signs from Faithful America – they’re good.
Invite people to read Luke 19:29-47 together and discuss – in preparation, as follow-up to the event, or even during it!
Jesus did not want or claim to be king. In fact, he stood in complete and total opposition to the concept – especially in his ‘Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem’.
Here’s a solid commentary on Jesus’ take on disparities between wealth and poverty in Luke 19.
Here’s Diana Butler Bass’s Palm Sunday Musings; Protest, Not Parade: The Time that Jesus Led a Street Protest – from April 13, 2025.
Please read it.
Please share it.
Please recognize that Jesus did not declare himself a king, he declared himself a humble servant of God and God’s people. ‘King’ was the only name adherents of the Empire could come up with for him. (See Luke 23:3, et.al.)
God never wanted God’s people to be ruled by a king (1 Samuel 8). God’s preferred leader is a shepherd, a prophet, a servant, or better yet, dispersed leadership (see all of Jesus’ ministry and commissioning of the disciples).
Military might has nothing to do with God’s preferred leadership – or form of strength.
God’s strength was revealed on the cross: humility, sacrifice, life-giving compassion for the least, the lost, and the lonely.
Let’s take this message to the street on Donkey Day (that’s what I’m calling it): a day to remember that true power is hidden in Divine humility.
