[Prefatory Note: My poembelow is intended as a sequel to an earlier poem Royalism in America, written in support of the No Kings protests of was a dramatic success as measured by turnout and public outrage directed at Trump’s abusive de-democratizing policies in America. It gave scant attention to the toxic harm inflicted on worldwide others and to the kind world order that would sustain peace, development, and justice. Economistic militarism has posed serious challenges to peace, Global South sovereignty, ecological resilience, and non-exploitative development ever since 1945. This degenerate behavior has been carried to extremes in the Gaza Genocide and exhibited by the War of Aggression launched on February 28, 2026 by the United States in partnership with Israel, itself following the open imperial revival of Monroe Doctrine imperial claims over Latin American sovereignty, and inalienable rights of self-determination. We who deplore ICE and what is represents, must also deplore the prolongation of Western militarism and what it means for life of children and civilians worldwide. We must stop climbing the escalation ladder that is one miscalculation away from a nuclear inferno.]
Future No Kings Protests: Weeping and Resisting in Global Solidarity
people came
over 8 million
over 3 thousand gatherings
unique in American history
beyond the numbers
were quiet passions
many dogs few police
not resistance yet
disgust disquiet
a felt message
of rooted protest
empathy for victims
of ICE faculty firings
many cruelties
feared endured
by fugitives from poverty
undocumented refugees
citizens bonding is right
walls detention centers wrong
celebrate conscience
refusing to cringe
in silent rage
any longer
better for tears
it is time
it is time for welcoming
words chants songs
BUT WHERE WAS THE WORLD
waiting sullenly
disillusioned almost
never fond of ICE
yet thirsting for words
of rage and compassion
this dirty war
the girls of Minab
rejecting peace
rejecting diplomacy
mercy even kindness
pretending to care
demanding of Iran
silence about Israel
their nuclear bombs
a record of genocide
crimes against peace
partnering warmongering
with high tech
ai oligarchs
passionate for profits
amoral wizards
of the nuclear age
with hefty appetites
sustained by bluster
limitless narcissism
zero empathy
our protest leaders
seemed nearsighted
almost blind to horrors
beyond national borderss
reserving their tears
a few american deaths
of course tragic beyond words
but what of the others
many thousands perishing
forgotten fallen ones
in foreign lands
perishing among rubble
infants with no arms or legs
no parents no home
yet a life to live
being nearsighted in such a world
is a quiet sinfulness
we want farsighted protests
a nationalist No Kings day
better than red and blue politicos
hiding in aipac’s shadowland
still in public foxholes
safeguarding our future
by bankrolling our present
as greed fear rage
battle for the public mind
FOLLOW THE MONEY
after all No Kings
must message
the pentagon arms merchants
ICE kills individuals
these wars kill millions
far from our shores
dear organizers
this is a lament
THERE IS LOTS MORE TO TALK ABOUT
local anger is fine
and yet
next time let’s feel
the pain the courage
As if
THE WHOLE OF HUMANITY
At risk suffering wounded
IS SUBJECT TO UNLEASHED MADNESS
AT THE ABYSS
Richard Falk
Santa Barbara, California
April 13, 2026
Global Justice in the 21st Century 