October 2025

25 Oct 2025

“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.” - 1st Amendment, United States Constitution

 

18 Oct 2025

“This is what democracy looks like! For our little beach community, turnout was fantastic!! During No Kings2 people enlivened the words of the 1st Amendment - in the form of their choice. Most held homemade signs, sang, chanted, some wore costumes and one man blew bubbles while children chased them. 

 

 

I met many first-time-protesters (young and old), extremely frustrated Republicans, and friends. We chatted about opportunities for political activism while waving to a multitude of happy people honking horns. Only a couple vehicles with Trump and MAGA flags gave the finger and yelled obscenities. I gave them a peace sign while the young woman next to me yelled, “Jesus loves you anyway!” 

… this is not the end - Vigilance. Resistance. Persistence.

“The people have the power to redeem the work of fools.

Upon the meek the graces shower, 

It’s decreed, the people rule.

The people have the power!” - Patti Smith”

15 Oct 2025

“Visibility Brigade: This afternoon was my first Rush Hour Resistance.  On an I-95 pedestrian overpass, we literally stood with our messages posted on the overpass, waving at passing cars, reminding everyday people that they are not alone in these unprecedented times.

I couldn’t photograph our signs due to inaccessibility (after all this is an Interstate!) but I was able to capture some of the nonviolent messages we chalked on bridge as well as our American flags.

 

My favorite thing was listening to the honks (especially the semi-trucks!!) and seeing the waves as people drove under us. Speaker Johnson described us as “terrorists” but would terrorists culminate their activities with a group hug?”

11 Oct 2025

“It was a blustery day with some drizzle, yet my signs and I accomplished another Saturday protest! 

Today was the last day of Banned Books Week. With the escalation in attempts to ban books in libraries, schools, and bookstores around the country, George Orwell’s cautionary tale "1984" serves as a prescient warning about the dangers of censorship.

The right to read belongs to all of us! Censorship has no place in American society. We must defend our rights, and we must not be so fearful that we silence ourselves.

Vigilance. Resistance. PERSISTANCE.”

4 Oct 2025

 

4 Oct 2025

“It has been a week! … from a bizarre rant from Hegseth and Trump’s 72 minute sleepwalk through a list of partisan gripes in front of our top military leaders … to ICE’s escalating military tactics causing chaos in Chicago - it is tempting to simply tune out the news. Many people readily admit, “I don’t follow the news, it’s too depressing.”

I agree, what is happening (particularly in Chicago!) is depressing. Yet, it is also important to be an informed citizen and that means being knowledgeable about what is going on. What to do to maintain some equilibrium?

My humble tips: 

It is okay to limit your exposure and take regular breaks from the news.

Get summaries from authoritative, reliable sources like Heather Cox Richardson. 

Take action. Channel your energy into positive action: donate, use 5calls.org to contact elected officials, volunteer, explore organizations that support your cause like turnoutpac.org, VoteVets.org, fiftyfifty.one, nokings.org, etc.

Finally, spend time with friends and family doing enjoyable activities. Engage in uplifting media! 

Take a breath. While the news may not be “fun,” it is important. Being knowledgeable about political, social, and global issues enables us to participate actively and thoughtfully in a democratic society.

Vigilance. Resistance. PERSISTENCE!”

June 2025

28 Jun 2025

“My protest signs this week were inspired by our nation’s continuing descent into fascism. This current administration is characterized by an utter disregard for the nation’s foundational principles, norms, and our Constitution. Most notably Missing in Action (MIA) are the rule of law and due process.

The number of drive-by harassers was almost nonexistent this week. Instead, we had 2 counter protestors standing adjacent to us today. Their signs: “Honk for ICE” and “Deport these Democrats.”  They must be getting a little worried that not all of Florida is blindly supporting MAGA Republicans. 

Our group, Neptune Beach Coalition, represents various backgrounds and lifestyles but we are all dedicated to supporting and defending our Constitution.”

21 Jun 2025

“My signs for this week’s protest were inspired by Juneteenth and the assassination in Minnesota. Yes, both signs were greeted with honks, waves, and thumbs up while others gave me the finger, blasted their horn while “rolling coal” and shouted obscenities at me. (Do they even read the sign?) 

On Juneteenth we remember the day when enslaved people in Texas finally received the news of “a new birth of freedom” that President Lincoln spoke about at Gettysburg.

Newly freed people built schools, churches, colleges, and businesses. They created caring communities with mutual aid societies and stood up for their Constitutional rights - and still do today. 

A week ago, Minnesota state representative Melissa Hortman was assassinated in a shooting at her home in Brooklyn Park, Minnesota. Her husband and dog were also murdered. The shooter had a “hit list” of Democrats. People of all political stripes can be targets as they exercise their constitutional rights. Even in my own beach community, I experience the potential for violence because I dare to stand in public and exercise my First Amendment rights. 

So today, I choose to honor OUR American history and the people who literally built our nation with their bodies and souls. I remember that freedom isn’t just a word, it’s a practice.”

14 Jun 2025 - No Kings #1, Jacksonville

“This week’s protest:  No Kings with thousands in Jacksonville. As a military veteran, I commemorate the creation of the Continental Army in 1775 by our 2nd Continental Congress with a reading of General George Washington’s Farewell Address. He was the first to use the term “band of Brothers.” Washington also expressed his hope that our “union and brotherly affection may be perpetual, … that a free Constitution, which is the work of your hands, may be sacredly maintained, stamped in every department with wisdom and virtue.” 

We don’t need a king; we need leaders like Washington who refused a crown and led with wisdom and virtue. Ignorance and hate are killing citizens, assassinating public servants, and destroying our nation. 

Political violence sows fear, attempts to silence voices, and undermines our democracy. Stand in opposition to this latest attack, affirm our fundamental right of speech without fear of violence and intimidation.

Live Washington’s words, “Observe good faith and justice towards all nations, cultivate peace and harmony with all.” (Washington’s Farewell Address to the People of the United States, September 1796)”

7 Jun 2025

“Yes, we continue to protest! One of my signs this week was inspired by Sigrid Schultz, an American reporter for the Chicago Tribune stationed in Berlin, Germany during and after the rise of Nazi fascism. At a dinner party one of the most powerful figures in the Nazi Party, Hermann Göring (later Oberbefehlshaber der Luftwaffe), backed her into a corner because he wanted to tell her about “the greatest experience of his life.” 

Göring then told, in vivid detail, how he killed a French soldier with his saber. When he finished, Schultz looked at him and said, “Interesting.” If that is the greatest experience of his life, she thought, it told her everything she needed to know about how the Nazis thought and how they would act. Her comment, “They confuse manliness with brutality,” was proven correct!

We weren’t backed into a corner, but Americans saw Trump encourage people to respond to hecklers at his campaign rallies by knocking “the crap out of ’em, punch ‘em”; watched him mock a man who has a congenital condition called arthrogryposis; heard him say "Grab 'em by the p*ssy.”; etc. all BEFORE he was elected. If that was the best Trump could do to win votes, didn’t it tell us everything we needed to know about how he thought and how he would act? 

Trump revels in brutality, mockery, and name calling. He lacks any capacity for human compassion or remorse, and, most important of all, REFUSES to support and defend Constitutional rights as required by his Presidential Oath of Office. He may yet meet his downfall. But it would be more heartening if the cause were not failure to reduce the price of eggs but a mass revulsion against his administration’s brutality. Again, “They confuse manliness with brutality” and it will only get worse unless We the People speak up!

… My First Amendment 2 cents.”

6 Jun 2025 - 81st. Anniversary of D-Day

Signs I posted in my front yard.