“The King of Injustice”
On June 14, 2025, as part of a nationwide “No Kings” protest, Veterans For Peace activists in Evansville gathered peaceably in the rain with approximately one thousand fellow citizens to put the government on notice. We the people demand an end to the tyrannical actions of an unhinged President and his legion of yes-men who are undermining democracy, flouting the rule of law, and unraveling the very fabric of our republic. John O’Leary, VFP civilian associate, delivered remarks on behalf of Veterans For Peace.
Brothers and Sisters:
Thank you for being here and exercising your right to peaceably assemble. This right is so important, it is enshrined in the first amendment of our nation’s Constitution:
“Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances.”
I emphasize the word peaceably. Peace, as you might guess, is the fundamental aim of Veterans For Peace. We invite you to envision and work for a future that sees the end of militarism and war and heals the wounds they have inflicted on people and to our earth. Please remember this: The best way to thank veterans for their service is to work for peace.
We know that peace is not possible without justice. And when we look around today, we see too many injustices to count.
Each injustice is a barrier to peace.
Each injustice carries the cry of human pain.
Each injustice demands that people of conscience redress it.
Although he is not King of the United States — our President is no doubt the “king of injustice.”
Today, he gloats over an obscene display of militarism—burning through untold millions of dollars of our money for infantile ego gratification.
Unjust!
When this day is done, he will no doubt waddle off to some golf course and pretend the war erupting in the Middle East is under control, managed by “all the best people” he has appointed to lead.
Dereliction of Duty!
His masked underlings prowl the streets in unmarked vehicles and kidnap people — and when the citizens of Los Angeles rightfully protested — like we are doing here today — he dispatched armed forces to escalate tensions and create a fake narrative that “the radical left” is burning down the city.
Lies! Unjust!
He has called for the arrest of a sitting governor for the reason of? Running for office and getting elected!
Insanity! Unjust!
He uses intimidation and lies to push a big hideous bill that bloats military spending to the tune of $160 billion and cuts healthcare from millions of our poorest neighbors — while lining the pockets of his billionaire cronies.
Corrupt! Unjust!
His unqualified cabinet has taken a blowtorch to the human infrastructure that serves veterans, the public health, and the entire social fabric of our nation.
Unjust!
He refers to our men and women in uniform as suckers and losers, yet never hesitates to pose with them in front of a flag with his thumb in the air, and a smile to mask the contempt his own words show that he feels for them.
Unjust!
Let us not forget: The “Just Following Orders” excuse went into the trash at Nuremburg. Every soldier, every law enforcement officer, every person in a position of authority has not just a moral obligation — they have a legal obligation — to disobey an unlawful or illegal order. And so do we.
So what must we do?
We must make our voices heard at the highest levels of power.
We must bring our neighbors into this struggle with us.
We must resist the provocations to violence.
As Doctor King said: Hate cannot drive out hate. Only love can do that.
So let kindness take the place of anger.
Let humor counter insanity.
And always speak the truth, whether to power or to the powerless.
Let your “Yes” mean “Yes” and your “No” mean “No.”
Let us stand and grow in number together
Let us stand for the love of people over the love of money
Let us stand for justice over injustice
And let us set our self-government aright.
For peace!
