Category Archives: Local vigilance

Eleven Reasons why this NO KINGS DAY is more important than ever

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
After the protests: Fiestas Primavera Noon-5pm

Roger Straw: On Monday this week, Rachel Maddow gave the most convincing case for a third NO KINGS PROTEST. Her eleven good reasons (below) document the outrageous Trump and MAGA offenses since the last NO KINGS DAY! It was a tricky search gathering the transcript and video, but here they are. PLEASE show up in Benicia and/or Vallejo this Saturday, and see if you can bring someone who wasn’t planning to go!

From the Rachel Maddow Show, March 23, 2026

[24:55 – 27:07] Transcript follows, see especially the 11 “bullets”. For the video, see below.)

This weekend, this Saturday…Minneapolis, will be the flagship protest in what is expected potentially to be the largest single day of protest in American history.

June of last year, that was the first No Kings protest. That drew an astonishing 5 million people across the country. You might remember that was June 14th, the first No Kings Day. That was the day Trump tried to throw himself a weird North Korea style military parade for his own birthday. That sad low turnout event was wildly overshadowed by five million Americans turning out at protests against Trump all over the country.

And then there was the second No Kings Day in October. That one did not draw 5 million people. That one drew 7 million people. The flagship protest in October was in Philadelphia, the birthplace of the Constitution. 7 million people turned out on No King’s Day in October.

And that was before…

    • Trump bulldozed the east wing of the White House
    • and before he tried to arrest six Democratic members of Congress
    • and before we learned that in addition to bombing random boats in the Caribbean, he was also deliberately killing the survivors of those bombings, which is a war crime.
    • It was before he invaded Venezuela and announced he was taking their oil.
    • It was before he started an apocalyptic war with Iran.
    • It was before he renamed the Kennedy Center for himself and then announced that he would close it.
    • It’s before he blew up health insurance for millions of American families.
    • It’s before he effectively made the Nobel Peace Prize winner give him her prize.
    • It’s before he sent the FBI to seize the ballots from Atlanta, Georgia.
    • It’s before he posted a video online depicting President Obama and his wife Michelle Obama as if they were apes.
    • It’s before they killed Renee Nicole Good. It’s before they killed Alex Pretty. It’s before they took Liam.

This Saturday, it will be Minneapolis as the flagship, but there are more than 3,000 separate protests planned all over the country this Saturday. 

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

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 (More about Fiestas Primavera 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 (More about Fiestas Primavera 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/

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/

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/

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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