Category: Politics and Society

Politics and society in Cambodia

No Kings Day Demonstration

Estimating crowds is an inexact science, especially when trying to survey a nationwide movement, but here are statistics from the three No Kings Day rallies so far:

  • June 2025: about 4–6 million participants
  • October 2025: about 5–7 million participants
  • March 2026: Rough estimate: 8–9+ million participants nationwide

The numbers are increasing but there is still a long way to go. Sociologists estimate that at least 3.5% of a population need to actively work for change before social systems change. Louisville had an outpouring greater than its metro size would suggest (Go The Ville!) and the number of vehicles honking their horns in support was much greater than last time but we still have a way to go!

No Kings Day Demonstration

Louisville organized two large demonstrations today, one near Nazareth Home where I live. They were well attended! Super!

A group of us priests participate in these demonstrations. Today three of us were at the Frankfort Avenue rally and the others went to the larger rally downtown. Here John Burke and I finally meet up after looking for each other in the crowd.

[More photos to come]

What about the Beatitudes?

In a recent interview about Christianity in society, Fr. James Martin commented about traditional Christians always wanting to post the Ten Commandments in schools and public places.

I often wonder why we don’t put the Beatitudes in classrooms since it’s always the 10 Commandments. What about “Blessed are the poor?” It’s amazing to me that mostly Christians want the Old Testament in the classrooms and put on signs, but what about “Blessed are the poor, blessed are those who mourn, blessed are the meek, blessed are the peacemakers?” Why is there never a push for that attitude? It’s a very strange thing to me. It is because [the Beatitudes] are hard and it’s stuff that we want to avoid.

Respect for God’s Children

Whether it is people in Gaza or Ukraine or Nigeria or Iran or Minneapolis, or LGBTQ or migrants or death row inmates, we are all beloved children of God.

And all of us deserve to be treated with dignity. I think the church has been very clear about that, and I’m grateful for that. That’s not a political message; that’s the Gospel.

~ Fr. James Martin, in his book Work in Progress