Author | Lightnews

Pete (rudely slicing scallions) @prosos7331.bsky.social · 7d

#NoKings #Rally #Protest #October #Flagstaff #Arizona

#BlackAndWhite #Photography #EastCoastKin

Click on the images for descriptions and observations in the Alt Text.

At the No Kings rally in Flagstaff, Arizona, A man in a cowboy hat holds up a sign with a crown and a large “X” overlaying the crown. October 18, 2025.

A group of people sit on the opposite bank of a dry creek bed separating the Flagstaff City Hall lawn where rally goers continued to rally at the No Kings rally. October 18, 2025.

This image just about summed up the mood of the rally yesterday. Paradoxically, it was both serious and light-hearted at the same time. Speaking strictly for myself, there was a huge sense of relief being here with as many people that showed up. It was a break from the tedious daily stream of news highlighting the breaking down of civility in the function of federal government and the social ramifications that come with it. It helped quell the sense of isolation and helplessness that seems pervasive when trying to keep up with all the stupidity.

At the No Kings rally in Flagstaff Arizona, hazard cones with messages stating, “Keep your cool. Hecklers want a reaction - don’t give it to them. Stay Peaceful, stay strong.” October 18, 2025.

Possibly the best advice that could be given for the day in terms of how to deal with agitators looking to rationalize their own delusions as to who the “opposition” really is. Thankfully and almost predictably, no one showed up to give it a try.

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Pete (rudely slicing scallions) @prosos7331.bsky.social · 7d

#NoKings #Rally #Protest #October #Flagstaff #Arizona

#BlackAndWhite #Photography #EastCoastKin

Click on the images for descriptions and observations in the Alt Text.

An inflatable Cartman costume worn my a rally goer walked menacing through the crowd at the No Kings rally in Flagstaff, Arizona. October 18, 2025

Having photographed multiple protests where people showed up representing Antifa in black garb and face coverings, I love the fact that people protesting the federal administration’s blatant disregard for human decency towards its own population have twisted the administration’s perversion of its so-called “anti-American” stereotype on its head. While there was a noticeable lack of frogs (presumably due to supply chain issues), people made up for it in terms of other inflatables. I mean, the question needs begging after, “who’s going to pepper spray/teargas [insert inflatable character here], and not feel like a total asshole?”

Someone in an inflatable frog costume holds up a sign stating, “Frogs Together Strong,” at the No Kings rally in Flagstaff, Arizona. October 18, 2025

There were more inflatable T Rex costumes at this rally than frogs even though the frog theme seems to be “the thing” in places like Portland and Chicago over the last several weeks. I’m particularly attached to the frog fashion as it seems to be reappropriating the hapless amphibian from extreme right wingers who, during Trump’s first administration, used it a la 4chan as a mascot for their stupidity.

Someone in a StayPuff Marshmallow inflatable holds up a sign saying, “Fuck you, I won’t do what you tell me!” at the No Kings rally in Flagstaff Arizona. October 18, 2025.

Love the nod to RATM here seen through the fictional apocalyptic lens of Ghostbusters. Before coming to the rally today, I read a quick AP article that stated that people opposed to the No Kings day, were calling them “Hate America” rallies. It’s so much easier to make a blanket statement that disagreement and criticism of the government is the exact same thing as “hating” the country, when the opposite holds more sway.

A child in a Donkey inflatable, from the movie Shrek, strikes a pose at the No Kings rally in Flagstaff Arizona. October 18, 2025

The crowd at the rally wasn’t solely swaths of retired free speech hippies, although that demographic did make a showing. Many people felt the need to bring their children to not only witness the rally, but to participate, if the children so chose.

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Pete (rudely slicing scallions) @prosos7331.bsky.social · 7d

#NoKings #Rally #Protest #October #Flagstaff #Arizona

#BlackAndWhite #Photography #EastCoastKin

Click on the images for descriptions and observations in the Alt Text.

A woman with inflatable American flag wings, American flag sunglasses, and two small American flags being held up behind her, holds up a sign saying, “Stop Corruption! You’re Fired! October 18, 2025, Flagstaff Arizona.

A common theme in this particular rally, was the amount of American symbolism (flags, “We The People” calligraphy, etc.) on display. Not that it hasn’t been present at previous rallies and/or protests, but the frequency seems to be increasing in what feels like an attempt to steal back from right wing “conservatives” what the right wing constantly befouls by draping reactionary politics in said symbolism in an attempt to justify their wingnut fear-based beliefs.

An older man wearing a t-shirt with the motto, “Same Shit, Different Hats,” smiles while holding a sign at the No Kings rally in Flagstaff, Arizona. October 18, 2025

The beautiful thing in this picture is the hat the military veteran is wearing, proclaiming his status as a veteran. He wasn’t the only veteran at the rally. One of the more heartening aspects of this rally was the fact that people who wouldn’t normally attend a rally like this, were out in force and ready and willing to speak their minds.

A man holds up a sign stating, “Christian Nationalism is the American Taliban! Jesus wasn’t white!” At the No Kings rally in Flagstaff Arizona. October 18, 2025.

The sign here seem to be asking for provocation from anyone opposed to the reasoning for the No Kings rally. Noteworthy was the complete absence of opposing view points to provoke. Sure, it’s the university town of Flagstaff, which isn’t exactly Trump country, but neither is it Portland Oregon. There was a thin line of protestors across Route 66 from the main lawn of City Hall, and while a quick glance might make it seem like a separation of factions, look a little harder and longer, and you’d find the thin line to also be No Kings supporters.

A woman holds up a sign stating “Karma Is A Bitch (it’s coming)” while rallying in front of the Flagstaff, Arizona City Hall. October 18, 2025

The rally started later than other No Kings rallies around the state, but the atmosphere was no later or less than what I’ve seen in images and video from other rallies. In short, the crowd was there to celebrate their communal contempt for the current federal administration and its behavior. One of the more ironic sights at the rally was the handful of local police stationed at the entrance of the city hall, the irony being the absence of protesters whose political leanings would actually constitute a threat to the integrity of the government building being “defended.”

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Pete (rudely slicing scallions) @prosos7331.bsky.social · Sep 17

The #human known as Tí.

#BlackAndWhite #Monochrome #Photography #Portrait #DailyPhoto #EastCoastKin

A man named Tí photographed at his place of work.

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Pete (rudely slicing scallions) @prosos7331.bsky.social · Aug 22

#GoggleEyes make everything a #face. August 17, 2025

#Photography #Monochrome #BlackAndWhite #FunnyFace #EastCoastKin #DailyPhoto

Someone stuck plastic goggle eyes on a paper towel dispenser in a bathroom in Wickenburg, AZ. August 17, 2025

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Pete (rudely slicing scallions) @prosos7331.bsky.social · Aug 20

In the #Blink of and #Eyelash in #Prescott, Arizona, 8/5/25

#Photography #BlackAndWhite #Monochrome #DailyPhoto

A black and white photo of the passenger side headlight with an eyelash sticker attached around the headlight to make it look like the headlight is an eye.

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Pete (rudely slicing scallions) @prosos7331.bsky.social · Aug 19

It’s funny you mentioned emojis. I started using them a while ago in a vain attempt at trying to express a state of mind in the text so there’s no potential confusion, but still, nothing beats a longer conversation where people are patient enough to allow for nuance.

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Pete (rudely slicing scallions) @prosos7331.bsky.social · Aug 19

One of the truly shitty byproducts of the internet age is the reduction of complicated issues to clever memes. It is the ultimate short cut to learning how to think critically. Nuance gets shot in the face in exchange for the validation of wanting to be right.

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Pete (rudely slicing scallions) @prosos7331.bsky.social · Aug 18

A #LoveLock for Peggy Bevins in #Prescott, #Arizona. August 3, 2025

#BlackAndWhite #Monochrome #Photography #DailyPhoto

A love lock with the name “Peggy Bevins” hitched to a chain link fence full of locks in downtown Prescott, Arizona. August 3, 2025.

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Pete (rudely slicing scallions) @prosos7331.bsky.social · Aug 18

I love this series. Is there more?

Pete (rudely slicing scallions) @prosos7331.bsky.social · Aug 17

#Morning sun bathing for Rosie on a #PerfectDay

#BlackAndWhite #Photography #Dog #Beautiful #DailyPhoto

Rosie the dog sun bathing first thing in the morning, on a deck, with a perfect temperature and a perfect wind, in August, in Prescott, Az.

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Pete (rudely slicing scallions) @prosos7331.bsky.social · Aug 16

The old sock getting his street on!

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Pete (rudely slicing scallions) @prosos7331.bsky.social · Aug 16

#Pickup in a matchbox parking lot in #Prescott, Arizona. August 3, 2025.

#BlackAndWhite #Photography #LateAfternoon #Shadows #DailyPhoto

A black and white photograph of a nearly empty parking lot in downtown Prescott, Arizona. The only car in the lot is an old pickup at the very end of the lot.

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Pete (rudely slicing scallions) @prosos7331.bsky.social · Aug 15

A #Wickenburg Arizona vertical #night lizard.

#BlackAndWhite #Photography #Shadow #DailyPhoto

I lizard suctioned to a stucco wall late at night in Wickenburg Arizona.

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Pete (rudely slicing scallions) @prosos7331.bsky.social · Aug 14

When you say classic, do you mean with or without maple syrup? Also, bacon or sausage?

Personally, I’m a fan of lots of room temperature butter and raspberry jam, and mostly crispy bacon. Also, coffee is a must.

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Pete (rudely slicing scallions) @prosos7331.bsky.social · Aug 14

#Night statue taken while at the #Biltmore, July 7 2025

#BlackAndWhite #Photography #FrankLloydWright #EastCoastKin #DailyPhoto

One of many statues found on the grounds of the Biltmore Resort in Scottsdale Arizona. The resort was initially designed by Frank Lloyd Wright and his artistic minions.

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Pete (rudely slicing scallions) @prosos7331.bsky.social · Aug 14

What’d ya eat?

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Pete (rudely slicing scallions) @prosos7331.bsky.social · Aug 13

#Birds on a wire at #Sundown. May 20 2025.

#BlackAndWhite #Photography #Abstract #Dusk #EastCoastKin #DailyPhoto

Two birds sitting on an electrical wire at Sundown.

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Pete (rudely slicing scallions) @prosos7331.bsky.social · Jul 10

Right? Also, I’d be willing to bet that we’re close enough in age to remember when wearing “patriotism” was rude unless you were active in the military.

Lastly, while the photo resolution wasn’t enough to confirm it, I bet the shirt wasn’t made here. Oh the irony.

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Pete (rudely slicing scallions) @prosos7331.bsky.social · Jun 28

Don’t care what anyone else says, the East Bay has the best views in the Bay Area. Also, is there any way you could take a picture of a raspberry walnut scone from La Farine and post it?

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Pete (rudely slicing scallions) @prosos7331.bsky.social · Jun 4

I’m going with “don’t blink.” Much more horrific a concept. Also, the original weeping angels episode is a thing of beauty.

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Pete (rudely slicing scallions) @prosos7331.bsky.social · May 11

Thank you!

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Pete (rudely slicing scallions) @prosos7331.bsky.social · May 11

Also it’s #SelfieSunday and I thought I’d put up something to-the-point as it were.

#Photography #PhotographersOfBluesky #Selfie #SelfPortrait #BlackAndWhite

A self portrait with a kind of serious face and me wearing sunglasses. I take the center of a horizontal frame and am sandwiched between two really overexposed windows in the background. I am slightly off kilter in being frame in a third window in the background.

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Pete (rudely slicing scallions) @prosos7331.bsky.social · May 11

It’s #Stunday and I thought I’d offer up the solution to that song about the #desert missing the #rain.

#BlackAndWhite #Photography #PhotographersOfBluesky #Rainbow #Landscape #Storm

A black and white image of a half rainbow stretching across a dark clouded sky over the eastbound lanes of Interstate 40 somewhere in the Mojave Desert.

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Pete (rudely slicing scallions) @prosos7331.bsky.social · May 10

Such a great portrait, and using those lines to lead r right to his face, great work!

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