INDIVISIBLE: NEIGHBOR2NEIGHBORFriends – Every king needs his lackeys, and our wannabe king wants to redraw congressional district lines to install his loyal subjects in Congress — giving Republicans permanent control of the House. But Californians are fighting back with Proposition 50.  On Saturday, millions of Californians showed up to say NO to kings. Now, we need to harness similar grassroots energy to make sure our neighbors turn out to VOTE YES ON 50! Our Neighbor2Neighbor program is proven to be one of the most powerful get out the vote tools we have. Check out our earlier email if you need more info, and then take a moment to plug in right now. —– ORIGINAL MESSAGE —– Hello California Indivisibles! Hundreds of you joined our state-wide call this week where we launched our revolutionary voter contact tool in support of Proposition 50. If you’re on our list, you probably understand the stakes here — Donald Trump and his allies are attempting to rig the 2026 midterms using an unprecedented power grab to redraw district lines in red states and hand Republicans more congressional seats. Their goal is permanent Republican control of the House of Representatives so Trump and his cronies can continue hollowing out our government (and our healthcare system) to pay for tax breaks for billionaires and a lawless secret police force with the resources of a national military. Proposition 50 levels the playing field without an unfair advantage for Republicans in the 2026 midterms. But some of your neighbors might not know the stakes. Some of them might not even be planning to vote. YOU can change that — by volunteering to canvass your own neighborhood, on your own time, using Neighbor2Neighbor. Sign up here to knock 10 doors using Neighbor2Neighbor >> What is Neighbor2Neighbor?Neighbor2Neighbor is an opportunity to make sure Californians are talking to each other about Proposition 50 — and about how California is leading the charge to stand up to the MAGA bullies who ignore what American voters want. People who hear from a trusted neighbor are up to two times more likely to vote than those who do not. The key to success is connecting on a personal level with those we have the most influence with: our community. Here’s how to get going:
That’s it! No complex training. No complicated application. Just an opportunity to get out and meet the person you see while walking your dog, the friendly parents whose kids go to school with yours, or the neighbors with the fun Halloween decor — and increase the probability that they all show up to vote.
Together, we can make sure Prop 50 passes and our democracy stays strong. We hope to see you out there soon! In solidarity, P.S. Please feel free to forward this email to other Californians who may want to get out there and knock doors! Each person you help sign up doubles your impact and helps us reach 10 or more like-minded Californians. |
VIDEO: BENICIA NO KINGS DAY #2
EXHILERATING! OVER 2000 GATHER TO OPPOSE AUTHORITARIAN RULE!
It was festive and encouraging, but we’re not done yet. The danger is real, and we’re in it for the long haul. We will lift every voice in the struggle to save our Democracy – we will continue the momentum!
For those who were there – here are some delicious memories. And if you missed this one – see you next time!
Here’s a slideshow with a few of my own photos and many by Benicia’s Mary DeShaw of ProBonoPhoto. Thanks, Mary! – R.S.
And here’s a recording by Benicia’s own videographer, Dr. Constance Beutel:
NO KINGS DAY SATURDAY, October 18 – All over the Bay Area
SEE YOU TOMORROW!
Sat Oct 18 in Benicia, Vallejo and more…
(Scroll down for locations & times…)
In America, we don’t put up with would-be kings.
Our peaceful movement is only getting bigger and stronger. “NO KINGS” is more than just a slogan—it’s the foundation our nation was built upon. Born in the streets, carried by millions in chants and on posters, it echoes from city blocks to rural town squares, uniting people across this country to fight dictatorship together.
The president thinks his rule is absolute. But in America, we don’t have kings, and we won’t back down against chaos, corruption, and cruelty. Grow our movement and join us.
A core principle behind all No Kings events is a commitment to nonviolent action. We expect all participants to seek to de-escalate any potential confrontation with those who disagree with our values and to act lawfully at these events. Weapons of any kind, including those legally permitted, should not be brought to events.
[sta_anchor id=”down” /]>> IN BENICIA: October 18th NO KINGS DAY! 1-2pm at the Gazebo (map: First and Military Streets). Bring your signs, your neighbors, friends, and family, and your goodwill. We’ll “parade” this block for the hour on the sidewalk.
>> IN VALLEJO: Vallejo-Benicia INDIVISIBLE is holding a second NO KINGS Day of Action on Saturday, October 18, 10AM – 12PM, at Unity Plaza / JFK Library, 505 Santa Clara St. The event will include inspiring local speakers and live music as well as songs from our Resistance DJ. We will then march briefly through downtown Vallejo, ending around noon. The Vallejo event is listed with more detailed info on the Vallejo-Benicia Indivisible Facebook page (including a map).
>> ALL OVER THE BAY AREA: Here’s a LIST of NO KINGS Oct 18 events in the Bay Area, starting with Benicia – scroll down and click on an event for more details. Or… go to the big nokings.org or mobilize.us map and zoom in. Then click on a city for detailed info.
MORE… (nokings.org)
About No Kings
In June, we did what many claimed was impossible: peacefully mobilized millions of people to take to the streets and declare with one voice: America has No Kings. And it mattered. The world saw the power of the people. President Trump’s birthday parade was drowned out by protests in every state and across the globe. His attempt to turn June 14 into a coronation collapsed, and the story became the strength of a movement rising against his authoritarian power grabs.
Now, President Trump has doubled down. His administration is sending masked agents into our streets, terrorizing our communities. They are targeting immigrant families, profiling, arresting and detaining people without warrants. Threatening to overtake elections. Gutting healthcare, environmental protections, and education when families need them most. Rigging maps to silence voters. Ignoring mass shootings at our schools and in our communities. Driving up the cost of living while handing out massive giveaways to billionaire allies, as families struggle.
The president thinks his rule is absolute. But in America, we don’t have kings and we won’t back down against chaos, corruption, and cruelty.
Our peaceful movement is only getting bigger and bigger. “NO KINGS” is more than just a slogan; it is the foundation our nation was built upon. Born in the streets, shouted by millions, carried on posters and chants, it echoes from city blocks to rural town squares, uniting people across this country to fight dictatorship together.
Because this country does not belong to kings, dictators, or tyrants. It belongs to We the People – the people who care, who show up, and the ones who fight for dignity, a life we can afford, and real opportunity. No Thrones. No Crowns. No Kings.
MEMORIES: BENICIA’S JUNE 2025 NO KINGS RALLY:
Benicia’s Mary Susan Gast to speak on dangers of ‘Christian Nationalism’
The Rev. Dr. Mary Susan Gast will speak at Community Congregational Church on Sunday, October 26, at 4:00 pm on the topic of Christian Nationalism, its roots and impact.
She states, “In the late 1970’s a movement began to emerge in the U.S. that we now recognize as Christian Nationalism. ‘Christian Nationalism’ is not simply being Christian and being American. It is the fusion of one particular take on Christianity with a vision of the United States as the birthright of the descendants of white Christian European settlers.
Bishop William Barber has observed that the adherents of Christian Nationalism believe that Christianity ‘calls on us to be anti-gay, against people who may have had an abortion, against immigrants, and against the poor. But what the Scriptures actually say is that God loves all people.’”
Her presentation on October 26th will examine the Biblical and historical bases for these diverse understandings of the application of Christian teaching, along with the effects of Christian Nationalism on our democracy and civil society.
Dr. Gast notes that the affirmation of Christian Nationalism among many current national leaders raises questions for many regarding the effects of that ideology on government policy.
“In August this year, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth released a video on social media. It featured two pastors of Hegseth’s fellowship of faith asserting that women should not have the right to vote.
Doug Wilson, one of the pastors on the video, later affirmed to the Associated Press that he believes the 19th Amendment granting women the right to vote ‘was a bad idea.’
In early September many members of the current administration attended the National Conservatism Conference. Speakers at the event included:
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- Heritage Foundation president Kevin Roberts endorsing ‘the righteous anger young men feel when our elites say they can be replaced by immigrants or machines’
- Charlie Haywood, who has called for the ‘total denigration of ‘career’ as the main goal of women’
- and U.S. Senator Eric Schmitt who declared America belongs to ‘us’. . . ‘the sons and daughters of the Christian pilgrims that poured out from Europe’s shores to baptize a new world.’
Gast is a Liberation theologian with advanced academic degrees from Michigan State University and the Chicago Theological Seminary. Over the past 50 years she has made presentations in the U.S., South Africa, and China addressing the ways in which patriarchal and colonialist interpretations have distorted Christian teachings to the detriment of women and others regarded as not-quite-human.
Community Congregational Church is located at 1305 W. Second Street in Benicia. The event is free, and the public is invited.
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