Bulwark Takes No Kings Organizer: Mike Johnson Was Our Best Organizer! (w/ Ezra Levin)
Oct 20, 2025
Ezra Levin, co-founder of Indivisible and a seasoned grassroots organizer, dives into the massive No Kings 2 protests, revealing over 7 million participants in 2,700 cities. He discusses how Mike Johnson's mishaps galvanized this widespread movement and explores why it's gaining traction even in red states. Ezra emphasizes the power of local rallies over a single massive event, the importance of consistent organizing for long-term success, and strategies for turning initial protest enthusiasm into lasting engagement.
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Unpopularity Fuels Growing Movement
- Ezra argues Trump’s unpopularity and authoritarian actions are driving growing turnout over time.
- He credits Republican leaders like Mike Johnson for amplifying publicity and unintentionally boosting turnout.
Mike Johnson’s Unintended Publicity
- Ezra playfully thanked Mike Johnson for publicizing the protests, saying Johnson built expectations without intending to help.
- He noted he didn't pay Johnson but appreciated the free publicity that boosted turnout.
Deploy Many Local Rallies
- Organize many local events rather than one centralized rally to show nationwide breadth.
- Ezra says being everywhere, including rural and red areas, undermines the regime’s narrative of division.