On Saturday, 4/19/25, around 800 separate demonstrations took place. It was called 5051 because there were protests in cities in all 50 states in the US and the District of Columbia. There were also some demonstrations internationally.
I Saw Democracy Today
I may not see precisely eye-to-eye
with a few of the protest signs, banners, and chants…
But I saw democracy today…
People of all ages, ethnicities, walks of life, and points of view
marching together,
taking a stand against oppression, lawlessness, and injustice.
POTUS hates dissent; It takes courage to resist!
I saw democracy today!
*The following poems are composed of quotes from 5051 protest signs, banners, and chants.
Democracy vs. Dictatorship
Horns honking in Alabama…
Honk if You Want Democracy!
Democracy, Not Oligarchy!
Democracy, Not Fascism!
Hands Off Canada!
Resist Dictatorship!
No Trump! No KKK! No Fascist USA!
RESIST!
No More Tariffs! No Kings!
No Kings! No Fear!
Resist Dictatatorship!
Donald Trump Will Not Save You!
Dump Trump!
Hey, Hey! Ho, Ho!
Donald Trump has got to go!
A sign in New York City observes:
The Emperor Has No Clothes!
Virginia’s flag, a hero’s foot on the
fallen dictator’s chest, proclaims:
Sic Semper Tyrannis!
Thus Ever to Tyrants!
Get Rid of Citizens United!
Democracy is Not For Sale!
Hate Won’t Make America Great!
Deport POTUS!
Constitution
A New York City protester,
dressed in a dinosaur suit, carries a sign:
Separation of Powers Must Not Go Extinct!
Costumed as Lady Liberty, no sign needed,
a woman marches in Chicago!
Protect the Constitution!
Honk If You Love Free Speech!
Habeas Corpus!
Due Process for All!
Hands Off DEI!
Diversity! Equality! Inclusion!
The Rule of Law is Under Attack!
We the People Resist!
Economic Justice
Economic Justice is Social Justice!
A sign in Salt Lake City: Tax the Rich!
End Cuts to Medical Services!
We Love USAID!
Hands Off Social Security!
Veterans Against Trump!
Hands Off the VA!
No Musk Rat! No DOGE!
Environment
We Stand for Mother Earth!
Oceans Are Rising, and So Are We!
Honk to Save National Parks!
Save Our Parks!
Off Fossil Fuels! Gulf of Mexico!
Climate Justice!
Protesters singing in unison:
This Land was Made for You and Me!
Immigration
Bring Them Home!
Due Process!
Abolish ICE!
Ethnic Cleansing…We Say No!
DC Wants to Free Kilmar!
Bring Him Back!
Stop the Disappearings!
Who Will Be Next?
Message from Miami
Pro American! Anti-Trump!
United We Stand!
The People United Will Never Be Defeated!
Cuba Taught Us… Freedom Isn’t Free!
Copyright© 2025 by Cheryl Batavia
Personal Note
On the day before my daughters were scheduled to arrive, Robert had emergency open-heart surgery for aortic dissection. This uncommon condition occurs without warning, has a very high mortality rate, and can destroy organs such as the brain, kidneys, and heart. We got to the emergency room within about fifteen minutes of his chest pain, and Robert was taken by helicopter to the waiting operating room in Sarasota.
Robert survived the surgery, and there are no signs of organ damage. Yesterday, he had surgery to repair leads and replace the battery in his pacemaker. Today, he was moved out of the ICU and is expected to be discharged on Friday. His daughter will arrive on Thursday and stay for a few days. My daughters will arrive on Thursday and leave on Saturday.
Yes, I missed my trip. It was too late to cancel our reservations, and my daughters are enjoying the Everglades and the Keys. They are emailing photos, which I will share.
I am very happy and grateful today for Robert’s positive outcomes. I am enjoying spending time with my daughters. They were here before, and will be here after their trip.
This post was drafted in the hospital surgical lounge while awaiting the results of Robert’s surgeries, and I am finishing it as I wait for Robert to return home.
I expect to be sporadic on WordPress for a while, but my fellow bloggers are always in my thoughts! 💕
Gulf Coast Poet 
What a great post. I took part in our local protest/ fundraiser for local Bread Line and it made my heart so happy to see nearly 1000 people standing up for what’s right in this red state!
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I wish I were able to participate. Kudos to you, Violet! 💕 Watching the protests on YouTube brought tears of happiness. All the homemade signs were very touching. I hope the administration doesn’t retaliate. I heard one person was fired for using the term “Gulf of Mexico.” 🤪
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Wow, Cheryl, this is some creative weaving of quotes, “by the people” and drafted in the hospital lounge! I applaud you. Sorry to read about Robert’s unexpected surgery but glad he is recovering. 💐
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Thank you very much for your kind words, Michele! ❤️ I am happy that you liked the poems. Have a great day! 🌹
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Thank you and you, too! 🌻❤️
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Thank you, Cheryl, for your inspiring post. I am so glad Robert is on the mend and you are happy. By the way, I agree with your views!
Joanna x
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Joanna, your kind reply means a lot to me. I believe that some of the same issues exist in other countries, but it seems to me that the US is probably among the worst examples. If large numbers of us resist, maybe the situation can be reversed. Thank you so much for your encouraging words. 💕
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Thank you, Cheryl, my thoughts are with you but only different voting will bring the welcome change!
Joanna x
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I agree with you, Joanna. We are hoping that we will have an opportunity to vote. Even that is in question! 🧐
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I hope that the democracy will prevail but it is only the start of his term!
Joanna xx
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Congressional midterms are coming up, which could make things dramatically better. Constituents of Republican members of Congress are not happy with their representatives and are complaining loudly at town halls all over the country.
Thank you, Joanna, for your supportive comments. 💕 They are very much appreciated.
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In that case, Cheryl, this could be the first step to change!
Joanna xx
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Good wishes to Robert. Enjoy mother daughters time, Cheryl.
Wonderful poems. Hope such change happens in India as well.
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Thank you, Rupali. I have always admired and been inspired by Indian democracy. I think anti-democratic issues exist in many countries to some extent. I hope that resisting will help reverse the trend toward authoritarian government.
Have a blissful day! 🌷🌷🌷
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Such a creative poem – the slogans on signs rendered much fodder for you, the primo poet of the practical! However, you placed the lead story at the end…I pray for strength, healing and peace in yours & your family’s personal storm. You guys are really going through it – and doing it with graceful agility. It sounds like your husband’s medical care was handled swiftly and with precision. What sweet relief! Things we can no longer take for granted. – sigh –
Take care.
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Laura, your kind words mean a lot to me! Glad you enjoyed the post. I am waiting now for a call about Robert’s discharge. It was a scary experience. He is very lucky to have had such great medical care!
Hope all is well with you. Have a great day! 😊 💕
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Hi Cheryl!
First of all, congratulations to Robert for successful surgery. I hope his condition remains stable and better.
Wishing you and your entire family good health and happiness.
The poems you have shared they talk about some of the most important topics & issues of our time.
People can support or oppose a political party and its leader. However, the damage more or less in aspect of the nation can be seen clearly.
The US as a whole has many representations and lessons – for their own country, and the rest of World.
These morals, principles, and values, they’re certainly not in a good condition at present. The direction of the change can be questioned too.
United we’re strong. That’s important!
It’s important that people do represent unity on various levels by various means. Protesting against something is a right.
Suppression and ignorance aren’t the answers. The ground level problems needs to be tackled correctly.
I hope you get another chance to arrange a trip in the future. Not all poems are romantic and fantastical. Some of them are clear and loud. They express us and our voices.
Greatness lies in being human. Greatness means standing with our people and doing what truly make us great.
Nowadays we are only feeling proud on social media. We don’t have much reasons to feel so.
I liked your topic choice, the energy and weight in your words, and those slogan photographs. Thanks for all the efforts!
Take care. Stay happy and healthy!
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Loku, thank you so much for sharing your thoughts. I agree with what you have said. I would be joining the protests if I could. There is a saying, “The pen is mightier than the sword!” I am hoping my pencil will provide a little support for the activists.
I hope all is going well for you. Would like to hear all about your accomplishments, your plans and your dreams! 💕
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🙏🏽
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You have created such a wonderful post despite your husband’s ordeal. I am so glad all is well and you have your daughters with you ❤️🙏
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Thank you, Morag. Sometimes we need to keep busy to distract ourselves. So happy you like the post!🌺💕
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Nice piece, Cheryl. Thanks for sharing!
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Glad you like the post, Paul. Thank you so much! 😊💕
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Hands Off America! Wonderful poems that wove the street scenes and posters.
Wishing Robert a full recovery. Maggie
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Thank you, Maggie for your encouraging words! 💕 I am delighted that you like the poems. Happy day to you and Richard! 😊
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Sorry to hear about Robert’s medical emergency but rejoice with you that he is much better now ❤ Our personal and shared lives are filled with challenges to be overcome daily. Excellent poems that reflect the slippery slope we must now tread as a nation.
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Thank you, Rosaliene. 💕 Yes, I think complacency is our worst enemy. I wish I were able to join the marchers in person. I am with them in spirit! 😊 May things in the US get better soon! Take care!
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My hope, too, Cheryl ❤
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Beautiful democracy poems, Cheryl! I’m glad Robert surgery went well. Sending healing thoughts!
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Thank you for your kind words, Wynn! Can always use some healing thoughts! ❤️ Hope all is well with you!
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I’m glad to hear Robert is doing ok, Cheryl – thinking of you! Nice to see democracy in action, also. Thank you for posting.
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Thank you very much, Ingrid! 💕 Your comment means a lot to me! Have a great day! 😊
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This would have been quite overwhelming with Robert’s open heart surgery. So good there was no organ damage.
Up here in Canada we have been watching closely all that is transpiring in the US. We have a federal election on Monday. Hopefully we’ll elect a leader that will preserve democracy. 🙏
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Carl, I hope the election turns out well, and that Canada’s democracy will be upheld. I am appalled and embarrassed by our government’s abuse of our allies, especially our good neighbor, Canada!
Wishing you all the best on Monday! 🇨🇦
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Thank you so much, Cheryl. This is very kind of you to say. I voted in the advance polls last weekend. The turnout was huge. Often elections are determined because of a large percentage don’t get out and vote. Hopefully this is a good sign. 🙏
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Congratulations on the election, Carl! 🌈
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Thank you so much, Cheryl. This is very kind. I am very relieved. 🙏
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Sorry to know about Robert’s medical emergency, but I’m happy that his surgery was successful. My thoughts and prayers are with you and Robert. But even in this stressful hours, you could pen beautiful poems from the slogans of signs. Kudos to you, Cheryl. I think Protest is a democratic right that we must utilise to make our point. If people are coming out, it means that the health of democracy is good.
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Thank you, KK for sharing your thoughts and for your encouraging words.🙏
When I went on YouTube on Saturday and witnessed the demonstrators with their home made signs, it brought tears to my eyes. 💕
I think the protests, along with evidence of a failing economy and international responses to tariffs, have had some effect. The administration is rethinking several of its policies this week. I agree with you. Democracy is under threat, but it is alive and well in the hearts of many Americans. This disastrous, distressing. shameful era may not last very long.
Thank you for your kind words about Robert. He is coming home tomorrow. Yay! My daughters are helpful. They will be back here tonight and will stay until Sunday morning. His daughter will be here for a week to help me take care of him.
I hope all is well with you KK.❤️😊❤️
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I agree with every word of yours about democracy and democratic rights. I’m glad to know about Robert’s return. My best wishes for his speedy recovery 🙏❤️🙏
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💕🌹💕
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Oh, my goodness! So glad that Robert got the care he needed so quickly. Praying for you both. 😊
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Thank you Pepper for your kind words. Robert is making good progress! 💕
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wonderful thoughts & photos – the protests remind me that good sane people exist…
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Thank you, da-AL! It is wonderful to look out for each other. Usually it works well for us too. Robert is making a very strong recovery. May you and your honey always enjoy good health.❤️
Watching the YouTube broadcasts of the protests brought tears to my eyes. We hope for a better era.
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so glad Robert is on the mend. take good care, dear. I always tell my honey that we’re not allowed to get sick at the same time so at least one can take care of the other…
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Great poems, patriotic and strong. I hope all is well now with Robert and pray that he recovers speedily. A helicopter ambulance is something new to me, if it were here in India it surely could’ve saved many more lives.
Always a pleasure to read your posts, Cheryl. Take care of yourself and family.
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Thank you, Jay, for your very kind words. 💕
Robert is making an excellent recovery, and I am very thankful that he survived. Helicopter service is not available everywhere in the US either. I hope more and more places will have this lifesaving service.
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I’m impressed by your efficient use of waiting time and by this excellent post which gives me hope. Glad Robert is making an excellent recovery!
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JoAnna, Robert is home and growing stronger every day. So happy the post gives you hope. Me too! When I saw the YouTube videos of the protests it gave me hope for a better future. Thank you so much for your encouraging comment. 💕🌈💕
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What a beautiful and powerful post, Cheryl. So many voices coming together, even with differences, for something greater. That’s the real heart of freedom. I’m also so relieved to hear Robert is recovering well ❤️ Your daughters’ adventures and photos must be such a bright spot too 🫂❤️
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Thank you, Ritish! Your lovely comment made my day! 💕🌹💕
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OMG Cheryl, I can’t believe this! I’m so sorry and so relieved to hear Robert is ok and recovering. The only good news is you have to be done with all of this and now you are both bionic so you can move forward I hope in health and enjoyment. I’m glad you’ve had some time with your daughters and will have some more time and hopefully another trip in the near future.
Your poems are phenomenal! Thanks for pulling out all of the stops here and sharing your truth . You did an awesome job and I agree with you on all counts and I love the positive spin. Now let’s see the democracy once again!
Hugs, sending prayers, love and healing energy. Give Robert my best!
💗💗💗
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Cindy, truthfully, it’s been surreal, but we are surviving it well! Robert had great medical care, and we have had the support of our daughters. Without their help, Robert would have needed to go to rehab, where his chemical sensitivities and allergies would have made him sicker. I feel very fortunate! 🍀🌈💛
Thank you for your kind words, which mean so much to me. We will do what we can to preserve democracy and revive the American Dream!💕
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I am so sorry to know about Robert’s unexpected surgery. Hope he has recovered fully. 🌹
Even though your trip was cancelled at the last minute, I am glad you got to spend time with your daughters.
I love your poem and the way you compiled the slogans so creatively. I am hopeful democracy will survive looking at the protests.
Take care, Cheryl. ❤️
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Punam, I deeply appreciate your positive and encouraging words! Thank you so much! Robert had a follow-up appointment with the surgeon this week and got a great report!
Hope you and your family are doing well! ❤️
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That’s wonderful, Cheryl. Wishing both of you good health. 💗
My pleasure. 😊
We are all doing well, Cheryl. Thank you. 💗
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You are in my thoughts. You and your dear Robert. Please be well. Lovely post. Stay in the shade dear friend. Hugs
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