No Kings 2

Celebration is an act of defiance. In downtown Sarasota, No Kings protesters displayed optimism and whimsy with their defiant signs and inflatables. The original No Kings protest was 250 years ago, when people in this country decided they didn’t want anything to do with King George III. We declared our independence and fought a war for democracy. Now we have a wannabe king. And we are rising up once again. 

 The protest in downtown Sarasota was heartfelt and uplifting. 

What NIJ Research Tells Us About Domestic Terrorism

The Department of Justice (DOJ) has removed a 2024 report detailing research about domestic terrorism from its website just days following the Charlie Kirk shooting. This report finds that

... the number of far-right attacks continues to outpace all other types of terrorism and domestic violent extremism. Since 1990, far-right extremists have committed far more ideologically motivated homicides than far-left or radical Islamist extremists

Knowledge about rising right-wing violence is evidently anathema to the DOJ under the current administration. Murder is not an acceptable response to those with differing beliefs - right, left, religious, financial, whatever. Likewise, removal of government research documents by an administration wishing to ignore right-wing extremism and violence is not acceptable. As a public service, please find the full report funded by the National Institute of Justice (NIJ) reproduced here and below.  

Not My President

In a democracy, showing up is the first responsibility of citizens upset about the direction of their country. And, indeed, Sarasota showed up on President's Day. People used their signs to express their disgust with the antidemocratic, unconstitutional, and downright harmful actions of the current presidential administration. Here's a beautiful montage from the beautiful day.

Sarasota Women's March (Redux)

The 2025 Sarasota Women's March was a joyous expression of resistance. People marched to remind themselves and the rest of Sarasota that power lies with the people. Many marchers carried signs focused on reproductive rights, but there were a large number of signs centered on the discontent many feel toward the incoming presidential administration. Many more people turned out than expected, bringing their hard-hitting signs with them. A spirited day of community.