VOICE OF THE PEOPLE

In over 2000 popular NO KINGS demonstrations on Saturday June 14 in all 50 states The People Expressed their Voice.

For the next five days I will share photos I took during the event in Eugene, Oregon. Each day will highlight photos of a theme I witnessed:

1.        The Stakes are High

2.        Remove DJT

3.        Resist ICE

4.        Protect Democracy

5.        All Generations

Participants from all walks of life carrying their chosen messages demonstrated the awesome reality of our nation’s commitment to multi-culturalism. 

THE STAKES ARE HIGH

MOBILIZE 

Christy Walton's ad in the New York Times & local newspapers

SPEAK UP

People and Themes of the Day 

BE HONEST

Current Administration Does Not Reflect My Values 

                                          

RESIST NOW

We are NOT a nation of woman haters

 

CORRUPTION, CHAOS, CRUELTY

With the clarity that the Trump Republican regime is deadset on TAX CUTS for the wealthy and HEALTH-CARE CUTS for the many, a recent editorial by Rahm Emanuel in the Washington Post hit the nail on the head: his Democratic slogan for 2026 is Republicans are about CORRUPTION, CHAOS, AND CRUELTY.

Wise Woman, Founder and Chair Emerita of Emily’s List, Ellen R. Malcolm, put it this way: Trump is Extreme. Craven. Chaotic. Destructive. Morally Bankrupt.

In April, Pramila Jayapal  - Washington state representative to the US House - recognized this reality and began holding online resistance training for those who want to learn how to combat this assault on our democracy. 

Two images from this training spoke to me. The first one shows that to create a movement for a new society, one needs only nudge a friend, colleague, family member, contact over a tiny bit from being in the Active Opposition to being in the Passive Opposition or from being a Passive Ally to becoming an Active Ally. 

In the 2024 election Trump Republicans moved urban males from neutral or passive DJT allies to active allies. Democrats moved rural passive allies or neutral voters to active allies for a free society for all people. 

While Democrats didn’t move enough rural people into active voters to offset the (temporary) gains of Republicans, they moved enough neutral and passive allies that the Resistance to the Trump Republican regime TRIPLED in 2025 following the election over that in 2017.

The second image comes from Michael Beer, Co-Director of Nonviolence International. His picture of the Pillars of Power reveals the warfare DJT and GOP government / DOGE is waging against all other pillars of power in our society. 

At the same time, the take down of Tesla (Musk) by active consumers waging a resistance movement, shows that the mobilization of ordinary people can stop even the seemingly most powerful in their tracks.

Resistance movements have shown that 3.5% of a population needs to be mobilized to prevent the takeover of autocrats.  We are not there yet, but ... 

• The April election of Susan Crawford to the Wisconsin Supreme Court proved the power of grassroots people to overcome that of Musk’s millions, ensuring that Wisconsin will have clean bias-free electoral maps.
• Likewise, the recent Nebraska election of Democrat John Ewing, Jr to be the first Black mayor of Omaha, reveals that grassroots localized campaigns can build on decades of forming coalitions and credibility as a public servant.
• 51% of voters disapprove of what morally corrupt DJT (and his GOP supporters) are doing. 

So, there is more work to do. But, if we each get out there and nudge someone we know to wake up just a little bit, our efforts locally will have a big impact on preserving our democracy.  We can move beyond corruption, chaos, and cruelty. 

YES WE CAN!

Choose Your Action

 FINDING ONE'S VOICE

RADIATING FROM FOUR CORNERS

THREE DEEP ON EIGHT WALKING PATHS

SPREADING OUT TO POPULAR PLACES

YOUR TURN NOW

IT TAKES A TEAM

Just as it took three of us to write 300 postcards for Wisconsin Supreme Court candidate Susan Crawford, it took all three of us working together to participate in Eugene, Oregon’s HANDS OFF rally on Saturday, April 5^th. 

One person drove us to the site and paid attention to our health - women in their 80s can’t stand in the hot sun for too long.

Attendees appreciated the humor that was on full display! 'We Cannot Be Silent' was a major theme.

With all generations present, the earnestness of this young man's commitment to workers rights touched me deeply.

"Grandma does this!" a two-year-old told his mama when he saw all the signs.

While one attendee focused on our current economic peril another highlighted the necessity of saving the planet for our children.

Our second team member planned our logistics, using her years as a jogger to successfully get us to and from this crowded and now historic site; all while carrying our sign. 

Meanwhile another team effort was international. At least a dozen unique organizations coordinated The HANDS OFF day of nonviolent action, with events in the UK, France, Portugal, and several cities in Germany. There was even a surprise locally generated ‘HANDS OFF’ rally in a ruby red small town in Massachusetts. 

I identified with this red-headed photographer's struggle to figure out what to document. As the third person on our post-carding team, I made the team sign and took photos of this historic event. 

A different kind of teamwork took place in the Chili red state of Louisiana - home of GOP house leader Mike Johnson. Expecting a 12% turnout for a special election on draconian changes to the state constitution, the GOP was surprised when 18% showed up to defeat their efforts to sink democracy. 36% of those voters were wide-awake Black residents who refused to be bamboozled.

To keep us from cooking to a crisp, our blue and white shirted driver and health monitor told us when it was time to get out of the sun.

Meanwhile, weaving like a caterpillar through the crowds, a dozen intrepid environmentalists used butterfly signs to emphasize the transformation our society is going through.

 

Moving from the heat into shady streets, we were struck by how the crowd had already taken up space on a nearby bridge to give motorists a way to participate.

I am grateful to have been part of this team effort in practicing democracy. 

WE THE PEOPLE

Kamala Harris recently said, “The American story will be written by you, by we the people.” Receiving an annual NAACP award, she reported, “We organize, mobilize, educate and advocate. 

Rally for Postal Service in Eugene OR March 23, 2025.

This is a free country for everyone. We have the right to resist and say no to the destruction being wrought by Dumpster DJT, his funders, and complicit Republicans. 

Engaged citizens are demanding principled leadership. Jen Psake, Gavin Newsom, Robert Reich, Pete Buttigieg, Rachel Maddow, Lawrence O’Donnell, Paul Krugman, Chris Hayes, Michelle Obama and her brother are speaking out on growing independent and alternative media - bringing the battle for narrative control to the masses. They are holding Donald Trump, extreme Republicans and their enablers accountable. 

A clear directive.

Ordinary people are holding demonstrations and conducting boycotts of Trump enablers. While flocking to townhalls to make themselves heard, they are demanding affordable groceries, housing, and healthcare. While elected Republicans refuse to listen to their constituents Bernie Sanders, Tim Walz, Ro Khanna, and AOC are going into red districts to listen to and share grassroots demands: 

To be released from a stuck working class

For opportunities to create small businesses 

To have access to scientific breakthroughs for curable diseases  

Instead of the demolition and destruction the GOP has launched, resilient citizens are building for the future. Gavin Newsom recently signed an agreement between California and its Mexican neighbor Sonora to cooperate on increasing clean energy and building smooth supply lines.

The 2025-26 election cycle has kicked off with a bang. People are demanding government that works for everybody not just the privileged, serves us well, and enhances our freedom.    

All ages speak their minds.

State governments have the greatest impact of people’s lives. At the state and local level Emily’s List and Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee (DLCC) are two Democratic organizations that were highly successful in the 2022 and 2024 elections where they helped flip and keep statehouses blue. 

Elected Democratic legislators are fighting every day to secure reproductive freedom, protect the right to vote, and preserve our democracy. Over time this increases the number of blue states acting as a firewall against Trump’s cruel, inhumane, and extremist policies.

DON’T TUNE OUT!       

HOLD OFFICIALS ACCOUNTABLE!    

CHOOSE AN ISSUE & ACT!

THIS IS SERIOUS, DAMN IT!

UN-INFORMED & MIS-INFORMED

When you see the number of people who voted for the Dumpster (DJT) in 2024 one might be tempted to ask, ‘Are they stupid?’ The answer is ‘Not really.’ 

Millions of people were intentionally un-informed and mis-informed by the design of Elon Musk and the republican party. 

·     Say you were concerned about making the rent and buying food, you were told that Biden was to blame for high prices and DJT would immediately lower prices. No one on FOX, X, and hate media mentioned that DJT’s tariffs would mean higher prices for everyday consumers.

·     Perhaps you were worried about your white son’s unemployment or low-paying work. You were told it was because Democrats were prioritizing jobs for people who are different from him – Diversity Equity Inclusion (DEI) hires. Don't worry, Apprentice TV star DJT would fire or deport them. No one mentioned that DJT bankrupted every business he ever touched.

·     If you were religiously inclined against planned families and personal choice abortion, you were told felon and serial sex offender DJT was your saint! Really?!!!

But, in the short time since Trump was inaugurated, he has proven that he is unwilling and incapable of doing anything but abuse his power to enrich himself, promote division, and thumb his nose at the Constitution.

With costs too high for housing, groceries, children, and utilities, now is the time to reach out and INFORM those who were un-informed and mis-informed. This is the task of each of us who believe democracy (everyone has a choice) is preferred to oligarchy (rule by a few rich men) and authoritarianism (rule by one white man propped up by sub-servants).

Last week I pulled together notes to create a
BE THE RESISTANCE message board.

Here are some talking points.

Democrats Campaign Goals
CONTROLLING RENT       BREAKING UP MONOPOLIES    MINIMUM WAGE

Hakeem Jeffries’ 10-Point Plan Includes
PROTECT AMERICAN SOCIAL SECURITY PRIVACY          
DEFEND MEDICARE         
HIGHLIGHT HOW GOP IS RAISING COST OF LIVING         
BRING TRANSPARENCY & PUBLIC ACCOUNTABILITY

Democrats Defending Democracy        
LITIGATION Attorney Generals in 14 states, (including AZ, MI, RI) filed cases saying DOGE is unconstitutional.
APPROPRIATIONS Highlight and fight the GOP’s tax breaks for the rich and powerful.
*COMMUNICATION* Take on the MAGA spin machine and get Americans the truth about Trump’s destructive plans for our nation.

Most Important Race Now – Wisconsin Supreme Court
APRIL 1 – Fair Maps Are at Stake
SUSAN CRAWFORD vs BRAD SCHIMEL (for whom Elon Musk is pouring in money)

Important Michigan State Senate Race in May
Will determine balance of power in state senate.

BE A RESISTANCE BOOSTER

Let people know how Trump and Musk are stoking inflation, undermining our freedom, looting the public purse for private gain, and destroying our government’s capacity to meet the needs of everyday Americans. 

Pay attention to a growing surge of independent and alternative media. For example, Paul Krugman quit New York Times and went to Substack. Jen Psake started a Monday and Tuesday podcast in which she interviews a wide swath of informed persons.

Share with others when you see or read about signs of the growing resistance:

. 20,000 enraged citizens attended a GOP house representative’s online town hall in a district that went overwhelmingly for Trump.

. in Roswell, GA, Republican Rep Rich McCormick was booed at a town hall for association with DOGE. He won in November with over 60% of the vote. 

. Demonstrations are on the rise across the country, especially related to TESLA. Boycotts are planned for Feb 28 to protest Amazon, Walmart, Best Buy and others for abandoning DEI. 

SUPPORT US HOUSE RACES 

GOP’s tiny majority means House Democrats are the firewall against Trump’s Project 2025 agenda of corruption, chaos, and cruelty.

JOSH WEIL FL 06 Special election April 1. Josh is committed to solving real problems for hardworking families, seniors, and small businesses. 
GAY VALIMONT FL 01 Special election April 1. Community organizer running for Matt Gaetz seat.
DENNIS BAKER OK 71 JUNE 10 Special Election Dennis is fighting for jobs that pay a living wage, good public schools, and access to health care for all.
BLAKE GENDEBIEN NY Potential Special Election Dairy farmer runs for Rep. Elise Stefanik's (R-NY) seat.
ELIJAH MANLEY FL 20 Young Substitute Teacher vs ethics violator.
JO MENDOZA AZ O6 Marine veteran is a lifelong servant leader - tested and ready to tackle rising costs and put AZ families first.  
REBECCA BENNETT NJ 07 US Navy veteran and nationally recognized healthcare business leader.

History is on Democrats side: in the last five midterm elections, the party NOT in the White House has gained between nine and 63 seats.

Yes We Can! LiDoña Wagner 2014

BE THE RESISTANCE

On Wednesday, the 5^th of February 2025, thousands of enraged citizens rallied in 50 state capitals (and other centers) calling for the protection of our democracy by removing Elon Musk from access to our national government and holding Donald J Trump accountable for treason. 

That night Democratic senators filibustered the nomination of Russel Vought - the architect of Project 2025’s plan to dismantle the US government - to lead the Office of Management & Budget. Before being confirmed later by Republican senators, Vought and Musk were responsible for the illegal holdup of funds owed to everyday citizens.

Pieced Teapot 
by Catherine McCall Marsh

THE POWER OF THE PURSE – Quit Amazon

You have the freedom to choose what to buy. Sellers use all sorts of enticements to convince you to spend your hard-earned money on their products. During the pandemic, one such enticement was to make their products available through Amazon, owned by billionaire Jeff Bezos. You may have made using Amazon a habit to get your desired items, unaware that you were crushing local merchants and disrupting your local economy.

Across the country, communities have begun resisting the establishment of Bezos-owned Amazon warehouses. Initially providing low-paying jobs in local areas, such warehouses not only eliminate small businesses, but they also refuse to allow labor unions which promote higher wages and benefits.

You have the capacity to resist and diminish the power of the billionaires trying to take control of our democracy. STOP USING AMAZON and Whole Foods (owned by Amazon). Stiff Jeff Bezos by shopping at local grocers. Stand up for farmers and local business by exercising your Power of the Purse. 

Path of the Healing Circle
by Catherine McCall Marsh

THE POWER OF YOUR VOICE – Leave Google

You have the freedom to choose your media providers which make communication with friends and colleagues easier than snail mail and provide access to multiple sources of news. Remember how local bars and restaurants gave media dominance to FOX media owned by billionaire Rupert Murdoch. And Google became the dominant search engine, making money by selling high priced ads and flooding you with advertisements.

Recently GOOGLE reversed its Diversity, Equity, Inclusion policies, sucking up to Elon Musk and our lunatic president. But you don’t have to use Google when you need information; there are other search engines. If you care about the freedom of all Americans and the pluralistic culture that has made our country great, you can call out Google’s white racism by shifting to another search provider. One such alternative is DuckDuckGo, partially owned by Yahoo and Firefox. 

If you started using Facebook to connect with your grandchildren, they don’t use it anymore. So why are you? Moreover Mark Zuckerberg, billionaire owner of Facebook and Instagram, will no longer fact check and remove false postings.

 Known by Tracks We Leave
by Catherine McCall Marsh

THE POWER OF YOUR VOTE – Support Resistance Candidates

You can adapt, change, and find a better way of doing things. You have done it before - after a move, divorce, job shift, or health challenge. You have control over your values-based actions. The recent disruption of USAID has awakened some Evangelicals to their humanitarian values. Others are shocked by empty pews because their immigrant members are afraid to attend church.

Everything I’ve said so far is to remind you of your resilience.Through exercising your adaptability and humanity, you demonstrate your power to take charge within the chaos and confusion created by the GOP’s intentional use of racism, money, and religion to separate us. 

22 GOP Senators Up for Re-Election in 2026.

Tommy Tuberville/ ALABAMA; Daniel S. Sullivan / ALASKA; Tom Collins /ARKANSAS; Open /FLORIDA; Jim Risch / IDAHO; Joni Ernst / IOWA; Roger Marshall /KANSAS; Mitch McConnell / KENTUCKY; Bill Cassidy / LOUISIANA; Susan Collins / MAINE; Cindy Hyde-Smith / MISSISSIPPI; Steve Daines / MONTANA; Pete Rickets / NEBRASKA; Thom Tillis / NORTH CAROLINA; Open / OHIO; Mark Wayne Mullen / OKLAHOMA; Lindsey Graham / SOUTH CAROLINA; Mike Rounds / SOUTH DAKOTA; Bill Haggerty / TENNESSEE; John Cornyn /TEXAS; Shelley Moore Capito / WEST VIRGINIA; Cynthia Lummis /WYOMING

Let’s stand strong to refresh our democracy 

and make it stronger.