Voices for democracy

An estimated 1,200 people gathered at the Courthouse on June 14, as part of the nation wide “No Kings Day” protest. This local event was hosted by Indivisible San Juan Island. Despite the urgent message of an endangered United States democracy, the overall feeling in the air was relaxed. Popcorn and other snacks were distributed, one attendee blew bubbles that floated over the crowd. Passing cars frequently honked in apparent solidarity, however, a few did not hesitate to show disagreement with the crowd’s perspective. American flags were everywhere.

“For 250 years this [the flag] has been the symbol of freedom. This has been the symbol of justice. This has been the symbol of equality and all around the world it is the symbol of democracy,” Joe Franetic, who was responsible for distributing the flags, told the crowd. “This corrupt government is trying to steal our flag, This corrupt money hungry greedy government is trying to destroy our country. We will take back our flag together, and rebuild our country.”

Lori Anne David from Aurora Farms took a moment from the Farmers Market to speak to the crowd. She touched on the importance of workers to farmers. Lack of both workers and worker housing has been a critical issue for island farming over the past several years.

She closed by saying that while she is ashamed of where the country is today, she is proud of the people who came out to peacefully protest, locally and across the nation.

Shane Smith, President of San Juan Island Pride, stepped up to the microphone next. Smith discussed the impacts of the current administration is having on the LGBTQ community. The Department of Housing and Urban Development, Smith said, quietly told staff to stop investigating gender identity discrimination while $800 million in LGBTQ health research has been erased, and grants that supported historical sites, including those related to LGBTQ history, are being revoked.

“Even our history at this point is a threat to them,” Smith said. “This administration isn’t just attacking our rights, it’s trying to make it seem like we were never here to begin with. If we are not in the data, they can say we don’t exist. If we are not a part of the story, they can say we were never a part of it. But we are, and we always have been.”

“Let’s be absolutely clear, our liberation is found in the liberation of all oppressed people. That includes people being targeted by ICE. We condemn Immigration and Customs Enforcement for its brutality and its existence. ICE detains queer and trans migrants in cages. It separates families, disappears people into private prisons, and deport them into danger. There is no pride in a country that terrorizes immigrants and no justice while ICE exists. Abolish ICE because borders are nt just lines on a map. They are weapons used to uphold white supremacy.”

Members of the French family, an original Indigenous family of San Juan Islands, who spoke at the Hands Off protest April 5 returned to the podium.

“This is a bigger crowd than last time, and I encourage this to get bigger and stronger and have joy peace and love amonst each other,” Rebecca French said. “This is multi-cultural. This is multi generational. Speak up for your children, your grandchildren, your great grandchildren, your neighbors children, Speak up. Protect our babies because what is this for but for the next generation.”

Josiah French spoke last, “We remember the women who held this place when it was dangerous to be indigenous, who raised babies in silence and hid songs inside of lullabies. We remember our uncles being arrested for casting nets in our own waters, while tourists floated by unaware they were watching a crime against kinship.” French said, “Sovereignty not a symbol. It’s how we live, share, protect, and remember. That’s why we are here. Not just to resist, but to restore, to bring truth to the table. So let’s break bread, not treaties. Let’s build trust, not walls. Let’s stop pretending healing happens without history. This is not about guilt; this is about courage. This is about expanding your story to include ours.”

The thousand-plus protestors began organizing to march shortly after. The march route went down Second Street to Spring, at the intersection of First and Spring, volunteers helped direct traffic as they crossed the street, then to the Spring Street/ Argyle intersection, and back down Spring Street and returned to the Courthouse, as they chanted “No Kings, no way, never in the U.S.A.” The crowd dispersed, but several protesters milled about a while longer showing their signs.