Since the onset of the Iraq War, and even before, groups of residents have gathered at Healdsburg and Matheson, the primary entrance to the Healdsburg Plaza. A loose affiliation of locals called the Healdsburg Peace Project, most of them seniors, raise signs of protest, wave at passing cars, and every now and then break into a chant.
The gathering has waxed and waned over the years, but in recent weeks the number of protestors has grown. They even expanded to Saturday morning this past week, when weekend drivers found that same corner bursting with sign-bearing residents at midday.
They were energized by outrage and alarm not by distant wars, but by assaults on democracy inside the country’s borders.
The signs were stark and direct: Dictator or Democracy—That’s the Choice. Resist, Protest, Impeach. Resist by Any Means Necessary. The Power of the People Is Stronger than the People in Power. Defend Our Country Against Its President.
This year, the signs and protests have become personal. Citizen activist Valerie White showed off hers, “Orange Lies Matter.” Anti-Trump sentiments are widespread and not always subtle, but since the president himself demands to be the center of attention, he gets what he deserves.
“I attend protests to show my anger over the disastrous state of our country under the current president and to remind them that they can’t believe a single thing he says,” White said.
This week Indivisible Healdsburg, Climate Action Healdsburg and the Healdsburg Peace Project find themselves united to demonstrate at the usual Plaza location from 6-7pm in support of May Day, widely recognized as International Workers’ Day. “We are protesting the billionaire takeover of America and demanding investment in our futures,” states the announcement for the May Day Strong rally.
“From vineyards and fruit fields in California to classrooms in Chicago, kitchens in Queens to loading docks in Atlanta—this May Day, the many are organizing to take the country back from the few,” added the press release from Indivisible Healdsburg.
Thursday’s demonstration will occur at the usual time, 6-7pm, but many expect a larger turnout, given the ongoing national turmoil.
That will be far from the end of opposition to Donald Trump. The April 26 email from Indivisible Healdsburg called for continued Saturday demonstrations in the same location from 11am to noon. It also listed another May 1 demonstration in Santa Rosa, including a march from the Sonoma County Sheriff’s Office to the Board of Supervisors office, then downtown to Old Courthouse Square, from 3-5pm on Thursday.
Gaziantep Web Tasarım
How boring. Public protest against Trump in deep blue California. Might as well get used to this. We had four years of plaza protests calling out the Russia conspiracy in Trump’s last term. I’m sure this will be just as effective. Also, given Chris Herrod’s history on the City Council, it’s ironic that he carries a “No More Lies” sign.