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Longtime activist reflects on decades of protest, the current political climate ahead of No Kings rally (WI)
WTMJ News ^ | October 17, 2025 | WTMJ Staff

Posted on 10/17/2025 7:01:43 PM PDT by Diana in Wisconsin

MILWAUKEE, WI — A Wisconsin activist who began protesting the Vietnam War in the 1960s says today's political tensions remind her of the anger and frustration she witnessed during that turbulent era.

Connie Hughes, who has participated in demonstrations for more than five decades, recalls her first protest at the University of Wisconsin with about 100 people expressing outrage over young Americans being sent to war.

"There were probably about 100 people, as I recall, and a lot of anger, because, of course, the people that were going to the war were our age, and they were being killed," Hughes said.

She draws parallels between the Vietnam era and today's political climate.

"People don't know what to do. They're feeling lost. They don't know how to change it, they don't know where to go, they don't know what to do, " Hughes said.

Her activism journey took her to California during the "summer of love" before tragedy struck with the assassinations of prominent political leaders.

"I think my life is a historical marker of things that have happened in the United States of America," Hughes said.

Women's rights have remained a central focus throughout her decades of activism. She participated in the Women's March in Washington following the 2016 election, describing it as "very moving" with thousands of women seeking rights, compassion and equality.

*SNIP*

And Hughes isn't done yet; she plans to continue protesting, including attending the "No Kings Rally" planned for Saturday.

Some conservative politicians have condemned the "No Kings" protests as “Hate America” rallies. House Speaker Mike Johnson recently linked Saturday's planned protests to antifa in an interview on Fox News.

“The theory we have right now [is] they have a ‘Hate America’ rally that’s scheduled for Oct. 18 on the National Mall,” Johnson said. “It’s all the pro-Hamas wing and the antifa people, they’re all coming out.”

Hughes views her continued activism as a responsibility to future generations.

"I have a responsibility to my country, to my family, to my grandchildren, to the people who have gone before me to do something," Hughes said.

Blah-Blah-Blah. Hippie Platitudes and Peace Out, Man!

More at link...if you can stomach it.


TOPICS: Hobbies; Local News; Society
KEYWORDS: antifa; antifajournalist; antifapropaganda; arrestandexecute; arrestconniehughes; arrestdenisecraig; conniehughes; demagogicparty; denisecraig; designatedterrorist; enemycombatant; enemyjournalist; incitingassassins; incitingsedition; losers; nokings; sedition; treason; wisconsin; wtmj; wtmjsedition; zzzzzzzzzzzzzzz
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1 posted on 10/17/2025 7:01:43 PM PDT by Diana in Wisconsin
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To: Diana in Wisconsin

Pining for the old days. Pathetic.


2 posted on 10/17/2025 7:05:29 PM PDT by rlmorel (Factio Communistica Sinensis Delenda Est.)
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To: Diana in Wisconsin

old hippies trying to relive their brief moment of relevance during their youth ...


3 posted on 10/17/2025 7:06:15 PM PDT by catnipman ((A Vote For The Lesser Of Two Evils Still Counts As A Vote For Evil))
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To: Diana in Wisconsin

Yep, the hippies are at it again, this time having no real cause to protest.


4 posted on 10/17/2025 7:06:37 PM PDT by packagingguy
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To: Diana in Wisconsin

These lefties are Queens.

Where are the NO QUEENS actions?


5 posted on 10/17/2025 7:09:23 PM PDT by Paladin2 (YMMV)
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To: Diana in Wisconsin

I searched for pictures or stories about Connie Hughes.

I found nothing.

This long-time activist has no online activity or stores etc.


6 posted on 10/17/2025 7:10:00 PM PDT by DoodleBob (Gravity's waiting period is about 9.8 m/s²)
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To: Diana in Wisconsin

You should see all the aging hippies at the no Kangz marches. I don’t know what the Democrats are going to do in 10 years when the Baby Boomer generation is about half its current size.


7 posted on 10/17/2025 7:11:46 PM PDT by FLT-bird
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To: DoodleBob

Hit the link to the story on WTMJ. The article is interspersed with video of her yammering on about her Life As A Protestor.

Maybe she’s had to change her name to evade the authorities? ;)


8 posted on 10/17/2025 7:18:31 PM PDT by Diana in Wisconsin (I don't have, 'Hobbies.' I'm developing a robust Post-Apocalyptic skill set.)
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To: Diana in Wisconsin

Bragging about a wasted life...


9 posted on 10/17/2025 7:19:09 PM PDT by TangoLimaSierra (⭐⭐To the Left, the Truth is Right Wing Violence⭐⭐)
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To: Diana in Wisconsin

….or, maybe she’s lying.

I mean…how does a local TV station find an activist for a segment? They’d likely want someone with standing in town and a track record.

Something is rotten in Milwaukee.


10 posted on 10/17/2025 7:22:31 PM PDT by DoodleBob (Gravity's waiting period is about 9.8 m/s²)
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To: Diana in Wisconsin
"People don't know what to do. They're feeling lost. They don't know how to change it, they don't know where to go, they don't know what to do, " Hughes said.

And they have no idea what they are actually upset about.

They need a hobby.

Or some actual problems in their life.

They keep on this path and they will have them.

The problems, not the hobby.

11 posted on 10/17/2025 7:22:52 PM PDT by Harmless Teddy Bear (It's like somebody just put the Constitution up on a wall …. and shot the First Amendment -Mike Rowe)
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To: packagingguy

I wonder if they now take baths.


12 posted on 10/17/2025 7:24:18 PM PDT by crusty old prospector
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To: rlmorel
That's sad, trying to relive a misspent youth.

Lady, it's gone; it will never return.

She should spend her final years getting right with the Lord. And maybe see a doctor
about that persistent genital herpes which has been plaguing her ever since Woodstock.

13 posted on 10/17/2025 7:27:24 PM PDT by Governor Dinwiddie ( O give thanks unto the Lord, for He is gracious, and his mercy endures forever. — Psalm 106)
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To: TangoLimaSierra

Patchouli,incense and Clay Incense Burners
Would have been a Product Line a BurnOut Hippie could not pass Up
.
But Alass ....wasted Life.


14 posted on 10/17/2025 7:30:23 PM PDT by Big Red Badger (ALL Things Will be Revealed !)
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To: DoodleBob

>> This long-time activist has no online activity or stores etc.

Hey, she didn’t claim to be a successful or productive long-time activist! Just long-time. And I saw her picture on the site. Wish I could un-see it. Long-time is RIGHT!!! Long Time out in the Sunlight! Don’t hippie chicks use sunscreen?


15 posted on 10/17/2025 7:33:31 PM PDT by Nervous Tick (Hope, as a righteous product of properly aligned Faith, IS in fact a strategy.)
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To: Diana in Wisconsin
A Wisconsin activist who began protesting the Vietnam War in the 1960s …

That’s a long time to have to stay pissed off.

16 posted on 10/17/2025 7:34:45 PM PDT by HIDEK6 (God bless Donald Trump )
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To: Diana in Wisconsin

50 years of protesting…what a miserable existence.

Another wasted life amongst the perpetually unhappy; nothing to show for it.


17 posted on 10/17/2025 7:35:16 PM PDT by TXBlair (Temp tagline: Je suis Charlie. 9.10.25 May the good Lord receive and embrace you, Mr. Kirk.)
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To: Diana in Wisconsin

I’d love to go to one of these protests undercover but it’s a little early to put on a Halloween costume.


18 posted on 10/17/2025 7:35:25 PM PDT by quantim (Victory is not relative, it is absolute.)
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To: Diana in Wisconsin

SHE APPARENTLY NEEDS TO GET A LIFE.


19 posted on 10/17/2025 7:35:49 PM PDT by Paladin2 (YMMV)
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To: Diana in Wisconsin

https://x.com/EricLDaugh/status/1979311590575906853

“it’s an imaginary solution for an imaginary problem.” -Greg Gutfeld


20 posted on 10/17/2025 7:39:03 PM PDT by BookmanTheJanitor
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