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.
Photo by Barbara Burgess from Unsplash.
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.
Photo by Barbara Burgess from Unsplash
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!
Photo by Morgan Cardarec from Unsplash.
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!
Photo by Tony Wiek from Unsplash
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!
Photo by Barbara Burgess from Unsplash
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!
Gulf of Mexico, Panama Beach, Florida. Photo by Craig Cameron from Unsplash
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!
Photo by Alexy Demidov from Unsplash
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?
Freedom Tower in Miami, Florida, where, over fifty years ago, Cuban refugees came to begin the process of becoming US citizens. Freedom Tower is the classic golden tower surrounded by modern high-rises. Photo by Following NYC from Pexels.
Katey Batavia and Ellen Maher paused en route to their destination yesterday. Selfie by Katey.
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 