This post originally appeared in Streetsblog California.
![](http://santamonicanext.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/Resist-Hate-by-Pam-459x1024.jpg)
This last Saturday, you marched. You rallied. You marched in big cities. You rallied in other cities. It was a glorious day for Democracy.
Over the years, Streetsblog has noted the importance of the public space as a place for protest and political activism. From election-night celebrations in 2008, to Occupy, to Critical Mass, to the demonstrations after the acquittal of George Zimmerman to the rallies and marches this weekend; a safe public space is critical to maintaining a healthy democracy.