Category Archives: Democracy under attack

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

NO KINGS DAY – March 28 in Vallejo AND Benicia!

MAKE A DAY OF IT…
The future of our Democracy is at stake!

Click here for Benicia 9am-10:30am
Click here for Vallejo 10am-Noon

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
Register HERE
BRING A SIGN, JOY, FIERCE DETERMINATION,
& LOTS OF HOPE…
The future of our Democracy is at stake!
Info about all nearby Rallies

SIGN MAKING at 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.

AFTER THE BENICIA RALLY… many will head over to the Vallejo rally (see below), and many will return for the Fiestas Primavera – Celebrating Diversity, 12pm-5pm at Benicia Gazebo Park (see the Fiestas poster here).

…Vallejo No Kings – see below

NO KINGS VALLEJO
Rally, Food Drive & March
March 28 | 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Unity Plaza – JFK Library | 505 Santa Clara St., Vallejo
Register HERE
Info about all nearby Rallies

Across the country, Americans are asking hard questions about the direction of our democracy.

    • When federal immigration enforcement actions expand with limited oversight…
    • When journalists face arrest or intimidation while doing their jobs…
    • When transparency around high-profile investigations raises public concern…
    • When families feel the squeeze of rising costs and economic uncertainty…

It forces us to ask: Who holds power accountable?

The founders rejected monarchy for a reason. They built a system designed to prevent concentrated, unchecked authority. “No Kings” is not a slogan — it is a reminder that in America, power flows from the people, and leaders are accountable to the Constitution.

On March 28, Vallejo joins millions nationwide for the third No Kings Day of Action.

    • Join us for:
    • Guest speakers
    • Live music
    • A community march
    • A food drive in partnership with the Food Bank of Contra Costa and Solano

Last time, more than 1,200 neighbors stood together. This time, we aim to grow even stronger.

This is about defending democratic norms, protecting a free press, demanding transparency, and ensuring that the government serves the people — not the other way around.

Bring a friend. Bring your voice. Bring shelf-stable food  (no glass) to support local families.

There are no kings here.

AFTER THE VALLEJO RALLY & MARCH… consider attending Benicia’s Fiestas Primavera – Celebrating Diversity, 12pm-5pm at Benicia Gazebo Park (see the Fiestas poster here).

REMEMBERING…

Benicia in Solidarity with Minnesota, February 2026:
Benicia’s October 2025 No Kings Rally:
Benicia’s June 2025 No Kings Rally:

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.

More at https://www.nokings.org/
Democracy under attack, Donald Trump, Local vigilance, No Kings!

NO KINGS DAY! – Saturday, March 28, 9am – Everyone welcome!

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 MAKING at 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:
Benicia’s October 2025 No Kings Rally:
Benicia’s June 2025 No Kings Rally:

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.

More at https://www.nokings.org/
Benicia CA, Democracy under attack, Donald Trump, Local vigilance

Stephen Golub: Humble and Kind

A reminder of the gentler sides of this country and our shared humanity.

A Promised Land, by Stephen Golub, February 24, 2026

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

Benicia resident and author Stephen Golub, A Promised Land

Stephen Golub writes about democracy and politics, both in America and abroad, at A Promised Land: America as a Developing Country.

…and… here’s more Golub on the Benicia Independent

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Benicia High School, Democracy under attack, Donald Trump, Justice Peace & Freedom, Local vigilance

Stephen Golub: Here’s to the future and to the Benicia High students who embody it

Crowd of 400 Benicia HS students protest ICE at City Park

By Stephen Golub, February 8, 2026

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.

But there are practical, humane ways to handle this, and there’s Trump’s way: It bizarrely features falsely accusing Haitians of stealing and eating people’s pets – during a nationally televised presidential debate, no less – and more broadly portrays immigrants as massively fueling violent crime here.

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 resident and author Stephen Golub, A Promised Land

[sta_anchor id=”below” /]Stephen Golub writes about democracy and politics, both in America and abroad, at A Promised Land: America as a Developing Country.

…and… here’s more Golub on the Benicia Independent

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