Tag Archives: Vallejo CA

Democracy under attack, Good Trouble, John Lewis, Local vigilance

Why Good Trouble? – Benicia Rally this Thursday, July 17

Remembering  John Lewis,  Calling  for  Democracy,  Freedom  &  Justice  for  All

Axios,  by April Rubin, July 12, 2025

Tens of thousands of people are expected to protest the Trump administration again on Thursday, the fifth anniversary of the death of civil rights leader and former congressman John Lewis. [Details for the Benicia rally below.]

Why it mat#belowters: Lewis was one of the most vocal critics of President Trump during his first administration. Trump’s 2017 inauguration was the first that Lewis missed during his three-decade tenure in Congress.

By the numbers: 56,000 people RSVP’d for more than 1,500 events across the country as of Friday, organizers said.

What they’re saying: “Good Trouble Lives On is a national day of action to respond to the attacks on our civil and human rights by the Trump administration,” the protest website said.

  • “Together, we’ll remind them that in America, the power lies with the people.”

The other side: “Nearly 80 million Americans gave President Trump a historic mandate to Make America Great Again and he is delivering on that promise in record time,” White House spokesperson Liz Huston said in a statement.

Context: Lewis, the son of sharecroppers, grew up in rural Alabama. The civil rights leader was arrested more than 40 times and injured repeatedly but remained an advocate for nonviolent protest, per the Library of Congress.

  • “Rosa Parks inspired us to get in trouble,” he said in 2019. “And I’ve been getting in trouble ever since. She inspired us to find a way, to get in the way, to get in what I call good trouble, necessary trouble.”

State of play: Anti-Trump protests since January have retained their momentum, including Tesla Takedown in March, Hands Off! and 50501 in April, May Day, No Kings in June, and Free America on Independence Day.

  • Indivisible, a leading protest organization group, launched a project ahead of the protest to train a million people in non-cooperation, community organizing and campaign design.

Zoom out: In March 1965, Lewis led more than 600 peaceful protesters across the Edmund Pettus Bridge in Selma, Alabama. What was meant to be a push for voting rights became known as “Bloody Sunday” after state troopers attacked the marchers.

  • He was elected to the U.S. House in 1986, representing most of Atlanta, and served until he died in 2020.
  • “Lewis was a formidable legislator who exerted moral and political leadership within the Democratic Party and never forgot his roots as an activist,” a biography said.

Go deeper: Interviewing John Lewis: What his presence inspired

In Benicia…

You are cordially, personally, and expansively invited…

…to a Vallejo and Benicia Day of Action – Good Trouble Lives On, commemorating the July 17, 2020 death of Rep. John Lewis. Together, we will advocate for freedom and democracy in the Trump era. RALLY in CITY PARK,  Thursday, July 17th, from 5-6 pm at the Gazebo, corner of First & Military in Benicia.

Rep. John Lewis – “When historians pick up their pens to write the story of the 21st century, let them say that it was your generation who laid down the heavy burdens of hate at last and that peace finally triumphed over violence, aggression and war. So I say to you, walk with the wind, brothers and sisters, and let the spirit of peace and the power of everlasting love be your guide.” (July 30, 2020)

Crowd at the Gazebo, Roger Straw – Benicia Independent

Benicia California — On Thursday, July 17, community members in Benicia and Vallejo will join Americans at hundreds of events nationwide to honor the legacy of Congressman John Lewis and fight back against the growing attacks on our civil and human rights.

The local action in Benicia is part of Good Trouble Lives On — a nationwide day of peaceful, nonviolent action rooted in the legacy of the civil rights movement and inspired by John Lewis’ call to make “good trouble, necessary trouble.”

Participants from Vallejo and Benicia will gather to demand an end to the authoritarian attacks on our freedom to vote, protest, and organize — and to stand united against efforts to criminalize our communities, roll back our rights, and slash vital public programs.

The event is cosponsored by Vallejo-Benicia Indivisible, League of Women Voters Solano and the Vallejo-Benicia AAUW, and expands on Benicia’s EVERY Thursday 5-6pm vigil for democracy.

Speakers include Dr. Tonia Lediju, Vallejo City Council and Kari Birdseye, Benicia City Council

The rally will also provide opportunity for voter registration, information about Unite and Rise 8.5, and 5Calls, and other ways to participate in the democratic process, plus a canned food drive for the Food Bank of Contra Costa and Solano counties.

>> For the food drive please bring one or more of the following items: Peanut butter, Canned Tuna or chicken in water, Boxed mac and Cheese, Shelf stable milk, Applesauce, Beans/lentils (dry or canned), Rice, Whole grain cereal/crackers, Whole wheat/grain pasta, Canned soups/vegetables/tomato products, Canned fruits, cartons of 100% juice, non-perishable ready-to-eat meals (chili, ravioli, etc.)

Bring your homemade signs, gather around the Gazebo with banners, hear the speakers, visit a popup canopy with tables for people registering to vote and signing up to get involved, leave your food items in the drive barrels.

To learn more about the national campaign, visit www.goodtroubleliveson.org.

GOOD TROUBLE – ALL OVER THE BAY AREA…
Benicia Gazebo, corner of First & Military Streets

>> IN BENICIA / VALLEJO: July 17th GOOD TROUBLE LIVES ON! 5-6pm at the Gazebo in Benicia City Park (map: First and Military Streets) – see more above.

>> IN FAIRIELD: Thu, Jul 17
5:00 PM — 6:00 PM, Garamendi’s Office Building, Fairfield, CA . Here’s a map.

>> IN NAPA: Thu, Jul 17, 5:30 PM — 7:00 PM PDT, Veterans Memorial Park, Napa, CA.

> ALL OVER THE BAY AREA: Go to goodtroubleliveson.org and enter your zip code. Then click a city on the big map to get details.

U.S. Representative and beloved activist John Lewis…

“From a small farm in Alabama, to life-risking service in the civil rights movement, to three decades in Congress, he was always ‘walking with the wind,’ steered by a moral compass that told him when to make good trouble and when to heal troubled waters. Always true to his word, his faith, and his principles, John Lewis became the conscience of the nation.”
– Former President Bill Clinton and Former Secretary Of State Hillary Clinton, Associated Press, July 18, 2020

Democracy under attack, Good Trouble, John Lewis, Local vigilance

GOOD TROUBLE LIVES ON in Benicia – Your Personal Invitation

“Ordinary people with extraordinary vision can redeem the soul of America by getting in what I call good trouble, necessary trouble.” – John Lewis

You are cordially, personally, and expansively invited…

…to a Vallejo and Benicia Day of Action – Good Trouble Lives On, commemorating the July 17, 2020 death of Rep. John Lewis. Together, we will advocate for freedom and democracy in the Trump era. RALLY in CITY PARK,  Thursday, July 17th, from 5-6 pm at the Gazebo, corner of First & Military in Benicia.

Rep. John Lewis – “When historians pick up their pens to write the story of the 21st century, let them say that it was your generation who laid down the heavy burdens of hate at last and that peace finally triumphed over violence, aggression and war. So I say to you, walk with the wind, brothers and sisters, and let the spirit of peace and the power of everlasting love be your guide.” (July 30, 2020)

Crowd at the Gazebo, Roger Straw – Benicia Independent

Benicia California — On Thursday, July 17, community members in Benicia and Vallejo will join Americans at hundreds of events nationwide to honor the legacy of Congressman John Lewis and fight back against the growing attacks on our civil and human rights.

The local action in Benicia is part of Good Trouble Lives On — a nationwide day of peaceful, nonviolent action rooted in the legacy of the civil rights movement and inspired by John Lewis’ call to make “good trouble, necessary trouble.”

Participants from Vallejo and Benicia will gather to demand an end to the authoritarian attacks on our freedom to vote, protest, and organize — and to stand united against efforts to criminalize our communities, roll back our rights, and slash vital public programs.

The event is cosponsored by Vallejo-Benicia Indivisible, League of Women Voters Solano and the Vallejo-Benicia AAUW, and expands on Benicia’s EVERY Thursday 5-6pm vigil for democracy.

Speakers include Dr. Tonia Lediju, Vallejo City Council and Kari Birdseye, Benicia City Council

The rally will also provide opportunity for voter registration, information about Unite and Rise 8.5, and 5Calls, and other ways to participate in the democratic process, plus a canned food drive for the Food Bank of Contra Costa and Solano counties.

>> For the food drive please bring one or more of the following items: Peanut butter, Canned Tuna or chicken in water, Boxed mac and Cheese, Shelf stable milk, Applesauce, Beans/lentils (dry or canned), Rice, Whole grain cereal/crackers, Whole wheat/grain pasta, Canned soups/vegetables/tomato products, Canned fruits, cartons of 100% juice, non-perishable ready-to-eat meals (chili, ravioli, etc.)

Bring your homemade signs, gather around the Gazebo with banners, hear the speakers, visit a popup canopy with tables for people registering to vote and signing up to get involved, leave your food items in the drive barrels.

To learn more about the national campaign, visit www.goodtroubleliveson.org.

GOOD TROUBLE – ALL OVER THE BAY AREA…
Benicia Gazebo, corner of First & Military Streets

>> IN BENICIA / VALLEJO: July 17th GOOD TROUBLE LIVES ON! 5-6pm at the Gazebo in Benicia City Park (map: First and Military Streets) – see more above.

>> IN FAIRIELD: Thu, Jul 17
5:00 PM — 6:00 PM, Garamendi’s Office Building, Fairfield, CA . Here’s a map.

>> IN NAPA: Thu, Jul 17, 5:30 PM — 7:00 PM PDT, Veterans Memorial Park, Napa, CA.

> ALL OVER THE BAY AREA: Go to goodtroubleliveson.org and enter your zip code. Then click a city on the big map to get details.

U.S. Representative and beloved activist John Lewis…

“From a small farm in Alabama, to life-risking service in the civil rights movement, to three decades in Congress, he was always ‘walking with the wind,’ steered by a moral compass that told him when to make good trouble and when to heal troubled waters. Always true to his word, his faith, and his principles, John Lewis became the conscience of the nation.”
– Former President Bill Clinton and Former Secretary Of State Hillary Clinton, Associated Press, July 18, 2020

Democracy under attack, Donald Trump, Local vigilance, No Kings!

NO KINGS DAY in Benicia – Your Personal Invitation

“A protest is an invitation to a better world. It’s a ceremony.” – Peter Coyote

You are cordially, personally, and expansively invited…

…to the RALLY FOR NO KINGS,  Saturday, June 14th, from 1-2 pm on the sidewalk at the Gazebo, corner of First & Military in Benicia. Rally organizer Susan Street says: Bring noisemakers, signs, your dog, anything to increase the joy of being together to protest the nonsense being played out in Washington DC.  We will be on the sidewalk, so please stay out of the street and allow pedestrians to walk by on the sidewalk.  This is a joyous occasion, so please be civil to any dissenters.

The rally in Benicia is one of close to 2000 events planned nationwide as a counter-measure to President Trump’s $45 million military parade, complete with 150 tanks and other vehicles, 50 airplanes, 50 helicopters, and nearly 7,000 soldiers marching in front of the White House, supposedly to commemorate the establishment of the U.S. Army, Flag Day, and, oh, it all happens to fall on the President’s birthday. As the State Department’s Chief of Protocol Monica Crowley put it, “June 14 is a special day. Of course, it’s the president’s birthday, so I’m sure the crowd will break out into a ‘Happy Birthday.’” Former Vice Chair of the Joint Chief of Staff, Paul Selva, used a different characterization, calling such a parade “what dictators do.”

“Trump’s birthday parade and his attack on LA are all part of the same agenda of fascist theatrics, divide and conquer politics, and the consolidation of power,” wrote Leah Greenberg of Indivisible. “Our flag was first raised nearly 250 years ago in defiance of a king, and we won’t let Trump disgrace it as he tries to become one.”

No Kings in the USA.  Flag Day, claiming and re-claiming the flag that waves over the “land of the free and the home of the brave.” Gathering as Beloved Community aspiring to “liberty and justice for all.”  June 14, 2025, 1-2 p.m. An invitation to a better world.

NO KINGS – ALL OVER THE BAY…

Benicia Gazebo, corner of First & Military Streets

>> IN BENICIA: June 14th NO KINGS DAY! 1-2pm at the Gazebo (map: First and Military Streets). Bring your signs, noisemakers, and your goodwill. We’ll “parade” this block for the hour on the sidewalk. – Susan Street

>> IN VALLEJO: Vallejo-Benicia INDIVISIBLE is sponsoring a NO KINGS rally and march on Saturday, June 14 in the plaza at the Vallejo City Hall, 555 Santa Clara Street in Vallejo. The event will start at 10 am with brief speeches, with speakers including Benicia Mayor Steve Young and others. The Vallejo event is listed (with a map) on the mobilize.us website. Bring your signs. Crowns optional.

>> IN FAIRIELD: Sat June 14, 12 – 1pm, corner of Jefferson and Texas Streets under the flags, 605 Texas St., Fairfield. Here’s a map.

> ALL OVER THE BAY AREA: Go to the nokings.org or mobilize.us website and zoom in on the big map. Then click on a city for detailed info about the specific event in that location. 

Democracy under attack, Donald Trump, Local vigilance, No Kings!

NO KINGS DAY – All over the Bay!

UPDATES, AFTER THE RALLY:

Sat June 14 in Benicia, Vallejo and more!

>> IN BENICIA: June 14th NO KINGS DAY! 1-2pm at the Gazebo (map: First and Military Streets). Bring your signs, noisemakers, and your goodwill. We’ll “parade” this block for the hour on the sidewalk.
– Susan Street

>> IN VALLEJO: Vallejo-Benicia INDIVISIBLE is sponsoring a NO KINGS rally and march on Saturday, June 14 in the plaza at the Vallejo City Hall, 555 Santa Clara Street in Vallejo. The event will start at 10 am with brief speeches, with speakers including Benicia Mayor Steve Young and others. The Vallejo event is listed (with a map) on the mobilize.us website. Bring your signs. Crowns optional.

>> IN FAIRIELD: Sat June 14, 12 – 1pm, corner of Jefferson and Texas Streets under the flags, 605 Texas St., Fairfield. Here’s a map.

>> ALL OVER THE BAY AREA: Go to the nokings.org or mobilize.us website and zoom in on the big map. Then click on a city for detailed info about the specific event in that location.

‘No Kings’ Protest Leader Ezra Levin of INDIVISIBLE Reveals ‘Big Baby’ Trump Plan

A giant balloon inflated by activists depicting U.S. President Donald Trump as an orange baby is seen during a demonstration against Trump’s visit to the U.K. in Parliament Square in London on July 13, 2018. Tolga AKMEN/AFP via Getty Images

Newsweek, By Kate Plummer, May 28, 2025

An activist involved with the “No Kings” movement has revealed plans for their upcoming protest.

Ezra Levin, the head of grassroots movement Indivisible, one of the groups associated with the movement, told the Jim Acosta Show that an upcoming coordinated protest on June 14, which is on President Donald Trump’s birthday and Flag Day, would take place in areas away from where Trump is holding a parade.

Why It Matters

The protesters, who are working with local chapters in more than 30 states, are targeting a military-style parade the Trump administration is planning on his birthday.

According to planning documents obtained by the Associated Press, Trump’s proposed event, which would follow a route from Arlington, Virginia across the Potomac into Washington, D.C., and conclude with a concert and fireworks, would include more than 6,600 soldiers, at least 150 military vehicles, 50 helicopters, seven bands and potentially thousands of civilians.

Trump protestors protested out front to the Tesla Showroom to demand the the Trump Administration stop funding billionaires. Katie Godowski / MediaPunch /IPX

The counter-protest comes amid a wave of protests against Trump and his policies that have taken place since he took office in January 2025.

People are protesting to express their disapproval of policies implemented by Trump’s administration, including cuts overseen by the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). Other protests have focused on Trump’s immigration policies. Recent polls have shown Trump’s approval rating at a historic low.

What To Know

Levin said their protest would take place in areas everywhere around the country, except downtown D.C., where Trump’s parade will take place.

“We do not want to give this guy an excuse to crackdown on peaceful protest,” he said. “We want the contrast – this guy’s a big baby, he’s throwing himself a big military parade for his birthday. We, the people, where power actually originates in this country, we’re everywhere else.”

He added that the protest was to “send a signal” to Trump and allied institutions to protect democracy.

Levin also said it wasn’t appropriate to spend money on a parade for Trump amid cuts to Medicaid and other government programs.

He also called Trump’s agenda “heinous” and said protests against him were “inspiring.”

What People Are Saying

Army spokesperson Colonel Dave Butler recently told the Associated Press: “We want to make it into an event that the entire nation can celebrate with us. We want Americans to know their Army and their soldiers. A parade might become part of that, and we think that will be an excellent addition to what we already have planned.”

The “No Kings” group previously said: “Real power isn’t staged in Washington. It rises up everywhere else.”

What Happens Next

The “No Kings” protest takes place on June 14. The coalition has said it will release more information about the event closer to the time.

Law enforcement agencies in Washington, D.C., are preparing for heightened security, though officials have not disclosed specific plans.