Newsweek Discovers Protests Can Cause Traffic Jams, Not Wars
Newsweek is concerned about a major California road closing due to a 'No Kings' protest. One might wonder why similar levels of journalistic hand-wringing aren't applied to the actual kings, potentates, and lobbyists causing real-world disruptions – like the displacement of millions or the financing of ongoing conflicts. For instance, the US has provided Israel with over $158 billion in bilateral
assistance since its founding, with recent aid packages like the $14 billion bill currently on the table, funds which flow freely with far less media scrutiny than a potential traffic delay. While Newsweek frets over commuters, the public record lays bare the financial architects of policy: OpenSecrets.org reports AIPAC spending $3.5 million in lobbying in 2023 alone, influencing votes on aid
packages that fuel the very 'kings' protesters might wish to depose. It seems inconveniencing a thoroughfare is newsworthy, but bankrolling state violence is just business as usual. How many 'No Kings' protests would it take to get that kind of attention?