BRING A SIGN, JOY, FIERCE DETERMINATION, & LOTS OF HOPE…
The future of our Democracy is at stake!
NO KINGS BENICIA
Saturday, March 28, 2026
9:00 AM — 10:30 AM PDT
at the Gazebo and sidewalks
First & Military St., Benicia, CA 94510 Info about Benicia & nearby Rallies
SIGN MAKINGat Benicia’s Community Congregational Church, 1305 WEST 2nd Street – Sunday March 22nd during fellowship after the 10am worship hour! Supplies will be provided and will be outside on picnic tables, weather permitting.
REMEMBERING…
Benicia in Solidarity with Minnesota, February 2026:
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.
One of my favorite songs is “Humble and Kind,” popularized by country star Tim McGraw and composed by Lori McKenna (who herself performs a great version). I’ve been thinking longfully about it lately because the tenor of our times cuts so deeply against the song’s spirit.
The song is of course best appreciated if you actually listen to it; even better, I urge you to view the McGraw version’s surprising official video (which, with all due respect to country music’s great variety, isn’t typical of that genre). But I’ll try to get by in simply describing and quoting the composition…
Hold the door, say please, say thank you Don’t steal, don’t cheat, and don’t lie I know you got mountains to climb but Always stay humble and kind
Even if you’re a fan of the guy currently occupying the White House, can you imagine him uttering anything at all like those lyrics?
On the national level, we’ve strayed so far away from such sentiments in this contentious and even cruel age, what with a president who promises his supporters that “I am your retribution” and who broadcasts so many other hateful messages.
“Humble and Kind” is not about America, per se. But it’s still a reminder of the gentler sides of this country and our shared humanity. Though I’m not religious and my grandparents are long gone, I still find its homespun opening comforting:
You know there’s a light that glows by the front door Don’t forget the key’s under the mat When childhood stars shine Always stay humble and kind Go to church ’cause your momma says to Visit grandpa every chance that you can It won’t be wasted time Always stay humble and kind
This is not to dismiss taking pride in who we are; pride and humility are not mutually exclusive.
Nor am I asserting we shouldn’t be angry, even furious, about what each day’s headlines bring; we can in fact channel our anger into productive action.
And I’m certainly not claiming that humility, kindness, courtesy and compassion are always my own daily calling cards.
I’m instead saying that in these times we stay sane and positive partly by cherishing these kinds of qualities. They’re of course valuable all the time. But they become even more so when our national leadership is so coarse and corrupt.
One of the things I love about Benicia is that we see such virtues on display every day, from our daily interactions to the way our city’s leadership conducts itself.
Yes, there are some intense differences of opinion, some clashes among the diverse personalities that constitute our community. “Kumbaya” is not the civic anthem. Sadly, this town has not been without its displays of hate.
But all in all, Benicia is a pretty polite, warm, welcoming and civil place to be. There’s a humility and kindness to it.
Which brings me back to “Humble and Kind.” In some ways, its message is as simple as a parent’s advice to their kids. It’s about how to live life.
It’s also about humanity. Check out that McGraw video to get a full sense of that.
Its closing lines additionally speak to displaying a generosity of spirit toward people in general and especially the less fortunate.
Finally, when I hear those final lines, they also bring to mind whether and how we welcome America’s immigrants, who – like all of our families if we go back far enough – made their ways here from somewhere else:
Don’t take for granted the love this life gives you When you get where you’re going don’t forget to turn back around And help the next one in line Always stay humble and kind
This past Wednesday, February 4, 400 Benicia High students walked out of class to protest the Trump Administration’s immigration policies and the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agency enforcing those edicts.
At a time when hope and inspiration get crushed on a daily basis, these teenagers brought plenty of both to their demonstration at City Park.
Over the years, I’ve taught and worked with many hundreds of fine college, law and graduate students from across the country and the globe. I’ve never been so proud of any as I am of the kids in my hometown. It’s just one demonstration. But it demonstrates that these students care deeply about the immigrants in their midst and those around the country.
This admittedly out-of-touch old fogey previously hadn’t had a clue regarding what the students were thinking about Trump’s immigration crackdown crisis. Frankly, with the exception of a couple of great kids on my block, my previous awareness of them flowed partly from the “La Migra” (slang for ICE) game played by some Benicia High students until very recent years. That exercise involved older students chasing younger ones around town and “capturing” them in imitation of immigration raids. I knew that most of the kids weren’t racist, but the game certainly was.
I now have a clearer, promising sense of where many of them stand. And it’s not just for the future, as vital as that is. They stand with the better angels in America’s past: the central, essential fact that America is a nation of immigrants, built by immigrants.
More than anything, immigration is what distinguishes this country from all others. If Trump had been in power when our parents, grandparents and ancestors came here, they likely would not have made it and we wouldn’t be here today.
Yes, there have been prior periods in our history when we’ve locked immigrants out and locked them up. Yes, we can’t afford to simply open our borders to everyone; our jobs, housing and social fabric can get seriously strained by an endless flood of foreigners. No, I’m by no means defending the flaws in Biden’s approach.
In reality for at least 150 years, immigrants have committed crime at lower rates than people born here. Undocumented immigrants have lower felony arrest rates than legal ones or native-born Americans. Only five percent of people detained by ICE have violent criminal convictions; 73 percent have no convictions (not even traffic violations) at all.
Sadly, though, Trump’s violent anti-immigrant stances reflect broader agendas aimed at building up a domestic paramilitary force and attacking minorities. White nationalist, pro-Nazi and antisemitic messaging is emanating from various branches of the Administration, not least the White House, partly to appeal to disgruntled young men who are potential ICE agents. Trump himself recently posted a blatantly racist video depicting the Obamas as apes; it’s now been deleted after an outcry that the White House initially resisted.
But back to the positive, for other valuable lessons flow from the City Park demonstration. As reported in an excellent Vallejo Sun article, a Benicia High junior’s Instagram post prompted the event; classmates helped spread the word.
In a related vein, we should recall that another local hero, Sheri Leigh, played an instrumental role in illuminating and halting the racist La Migra game. And of course, Minneapolis community resistance to brutal ICE raids has been facilitated by online communications.
One point, then, is that individuals and small groups can still make a big difference in Benicia and America, by taking steps to battle the nation’s worst impulses and to bring out the best in us. Another is that as much as social media can be a cesspool, it also can serve productive purposes.
We similarly saw the positive power of social media, individuals’ initiatives and collective action on display last Sunday, when a couple of Benicians organized a post-Minneapolis Walk for Peace and Unity down First Street. People quietly came together to share the life-affirming features of our community and our country.
So, thanks to Benicia High students, our local heroes, for educating this uneducated fellow Benician about where you stand and for reminding our city about what’s at stake. There are still dark days ahead. But with people like you lighting the way, I’m looking toward the future with hope.
BENICIA – An estimated 400 students from Benicia High School walked out of class on Wednesday afternoon to protest the Trump Administration and the actions of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
The Benicia High walkout was organized by junior Maddie Vlnar. She had never attended a protest before, much less organized one. But she had friends from the East Bay who had organized a walkout, and a handful of Benicia High students said they were interested in helping plan one, too. So she created an anonymous Instagram account last Thursday and began to spread the word.
“I really wasn’t expecting this many people to come out,” said Vlnar. “It was very makeshift and DIY even, but it ended up really working out, and I’m really happy that people came.” For Vlnar, seeing ICE’s actions on social media motivated her to organize.
Students from Benicia High School covered the hill at City Park. Photo: Gretchen Smail
For Vlnar, seeing ICE’s actions on social media motivated her to organize.
“Every time I open Instagram or TikTok, I’m constantly seeing all these things happen to people who are protesting and to people who are immigrants, whether they’re undocumented or not,” said Vlnar. “Even American citizens are being detained and treated unlawfully and even killed. I figured it’s time to finally end this. Let’s put our voices out there. We have the people.”
According to the Marshall Project, ICE has been holding an average of 170 children in custody a day since President Donald Trump’s second inauguration. Per The Guardian, 32 people died in ICE custody in 2025; since the start of 2026, eight people have died in ICE custody or been killed by ICE agents. ICE is currently holding the largest number of detainees in its history, according to CBS.
Students wave signs as cars honk in support. Photo: Gretchen Smail
The walkout began at 2 p.m. Vlnar and some friends went from classroom to classroom rallying students and explaining to teachers why they were doing the walkout. The protesters gathered in the quad and then marched to the City Park gazebo on First Street. So many students walked out that those at the back of the march couldn’t see where the front began.As the students walked, they waved signs that said phrases like “no one is illegal on stolen land” and “I’ll take my horchata warm because ICE sucks!” They also chanted “no ICE, no KKK, no fascist USA” as cars drove by honking in support.
Several teachers walked with the students to monitor the protest, as did Benicia police.
“We’re here to protect students, make sure they’re safe,” schools Superintendent Chris Calabrese said. “They have the right to protest.”
He added that his preference is that students are in the classroom learning, “but we have constitutional law and state law and educational code that we have to follow, and sometimes those things contradict,” Calabrese said. “So we’re just out here making sure that students aren’t causing any damage, and they’re not getting hurt either.”
Students walk down Military West to join the protest at City Park. Photo: Gretchen Smail
For many students, this was their first protest.
Sophomore Talaya Wilson said she loved seeing all her classmates participate in the walkout and voice their frustrations with the current administration.
“I don’t agree with anything that’s happening in the world right now. None of this should have happened in the first place,” Wilson said. “I’m really happy that everybody is protesting against ICE and Trump because we should have never voted for him. I’m very disappointed in my country, and in adults. Now my generation has to fix your guys’ problems.”
Senior Gabriel Gomez echoed this sentiment. “Immigrants built this country,” said Gomez. “We pick your food, we build your houses, and you want to kick us out? Nah, man.” Gomez said the administration should focus on going after real criminals rather than the “immigrants who are just trying to make a living.”
Students spread out in front of the gazebo at City Park to protest. Photo: Gretchen Smail
A 2026 UCLA study found that immigrants without a criminal record make up the largest group in ICE detention. Trump initially claimed he would only go after the “worst of the worst.”
Senior Isaiah Figueroa helped Vlnar organize the walkout. For him, the motivation to walk out was personal. “I’m a first generation Mexican-American, so seeing all this here hits really close to home for me,” said Figueroa. “We live in a world we had no say in.”
Figueroa said he’s glad that he’s now of voting age so he’ll be able to “have more of a voice” in the country.
For senior Camryn Wittry, the protest was important because it was a way to speak up for “people whose voices can’t be heard.”
She pointed out how many people brought their own signs and encouraged others to chant. “It’s amazing to see young people voice their opinions,” said Wittry. “Even though so many people here can’t vote, they’re using their First Amendment right.”
Benicia High School students protesting at City Park. Photo: Gretchen Smail
During the protest, some Benicia residents walked out from the nearby Safeway and library to cheer on the students.
“We’re really happy to see all these young people here,” said Benicia resident Wayne Eisenhart, who stood on the hill with the students to watch the protest with his wife. “It warms my heart.”
The protest ended around 3:30 p.m., with parents picking up their kids or students walking down First Street to grab food.
“It’s such a surreal feeling. So many people came out,” Vlnar said, after thanking the students for attending. She said she was proud that the protest remained under control, and that they were able to have a long moment of silence for those who have been brutalized or killed by ICE. “There were parents, and people off the street, and so many cars driving by who were honking and cheering us on. It was so, so amazing.”
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