May Day - National Day of Action, May Day Strong

Benicia Independent to go dark on May 1 (Correction)

MAY DAY STRONG 2026

ABOUT MAY DAY STRONG…

Friday May 1st, 2026 will be a Workers Over Billionaires national day of action. Workers, students, and families will be marching, rallying, training, walking out and taking action together to demand:

    • Tax the rich so our families, not their fortunes, come first,
    • No ICE. No war. No private army serving authoritarian power.
    • Expand democracy. Hands off our vote.

Following the examples of the 2006 Day Without Immigrants, Black-led corporate campaigns that have unseated CEOs, and Minnesota’s resistance to occupation, thousands of organizations across the country are calling for a day of “No School, No Work, No Shopping” to disrupt the violent billionaire takeover of our country and to put working families first. Because when the billionaires break every rule, it’s going to take more than a rally to stop them. Together we show where real power lives in this country: with workers, not billionaires.

Share the pledge
and help build power for May Day 2026.

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May Day - National Day of Action, May Day Strong

Benicia Independent to go dark on May 1

MAY DAY STRONG 2026

ABOUT MAY DAY STRONG…

Friday May 1st, 2026 will be a Workers Over Billionaires national day of action. Workers, students, and families will be marching, rallying, training, walking out and taking action together to demand:

    • Tax the rich so our families, not their fortunes, come first,
    • No ICE. No war. No private army serving authoritarian power.
    • Expand democracy. Hands off our vote.

Following the examples of the 2006 Day Without Immigrants, Black-led corporate campaigns that have unseated CEOs, and Minnesota’s resistance to occupation, thousands of organizations across the country are calling for a day of “No School, No Work, No Shopping” to disrupt the violent billionaire takeover of our country and to put working families first. Because when the billionaires break every rule, it’s going to take more than a rally to stop them. Together we show where real power lives in this country: with workers, not billionaires.

Share the pledge
and help build power for May Day 2026.

Top

Antisemitism, Benicia Herald

BENICIA HERALD Editor Galen Kusic on Antisemitic Letter

RETRACTION: “Operation Epstein Fury” letter to the editor on Friday, April 17

By Galen Kusic, Editor, The Benicia Herald, April 22, 2026

The Benicia Herald extends a sincere apology to the Jewish community and all Benicia residents for printing a letter to the editor, “Operation Epstein Fury” by Jake Pickering in the Friday, April 17 edition in the Forum section. Antisemitism should never be tolerated in any form. We are truly sorry for the pain and hurt this letter has caused to the Jewish community and beyond. As editor, this was an egregious oversight and I take full responsibility on behalf of the Herald and staff.

Allowing a platform for baseless conspiracy theories and hateful stereotypes is both dangerous and irresponsible. Benicia celebrates a diverse Jewish community and no one of any ethnic or cultural background deserves to be subjected to these baseless attacks or false generalizations and stereotypes.

Antisemitism is on the rise worldwide, especially in the United States. Let this be a moment to denounce bigotry and hate in all forms. It is my hope that through this editorial blunder, education and awareness can be brought to this issue that unfortunately still largely persists in our society. By drawing attention to the problem, it is my goal that this type of thinking and behavior will one day be eliminated altogether.

Providing a safe space for a robust political discourse is a crucial component of the Herald’s service to the community. Exercising First Amendment rights and free speech is greatly encouraged. The Forum page serves as a vital place for community dialogue and discussion, allowing differing views and opinions.

Unfortunately when this turns to hate, generalized stereotypes and bigoted rhetoric, it ceases to serve that purpose. The Herald failed miserably in this respect on Friday, April 17 by violating its own letter guidelines and printing this hateful letter. I graciously thank all those that have written, called or reached out to share their concerns and point out this bigotry and hate.

Let us all work together to better educate each other and expose hate when it appears. Together, through unity, equality and love we can all help make the world a better place.

The Herald apologizes for any harm caused and prints this retraction and apology on behalf of all those affected.

Respectfully,

Galen Kusic
Editor, The Benicia Herald

Benicia Black Lives Matter, Poetry in Benicia

Benicia’s Black Poetry Celebration – Next week Wednesday!

BLACK POETRY CELEBRATION
WED. APRIL 29 2026, 6-8PM
In the Library’s Doña Benicia Room
Also on Zoom: bit.ly/blackpoetrycelebration
Click image for full size poster.

Benicia Black Lives Matter invites you to a dynamic Black poetry event celebrating the depth, resilience, and brilliance of Black voices across generations, highlighting powerful works from lesser-known poets spanning the Reconstruction era to today.

Blending history with living artistry, the evening also features original performances by a diverse lineup of presenters:

    • Myla J., a compelling youth artist and orator
    • Devin Thomas, a passionate student leader and poet
    • Valdez Hill, a multifaceted poet and musician and host of Voices at the Table
    • Simone Nia Rae, an evocative artist and musician
    • Jacalyn Eyvonne, Vallejo’s Poet Laureate for 2024–2025 and
    • Brandon Greene Esq., a civil rights attorney whose artistry bridges music, poetry, and justice.

Together, they create a rich intergenerational experience that honors legacy while amplifying fresh, contemporary voices.

BLACK POETRY CELEBRATION
WED. APRIL 29 2026, 6-8PM
In the Library’s Doña Benicia Room [Map] Also on Zoom: bit.ly/blackpoetrycelebration