Like many of my friends and neighbors, I’ve been dismayed by the reckless, cruel, and unlawful actions directed by President Trump and his deputy of disruption Elon Musk. Feeling helpless and doubting my own ability to make a difference, I’ve kept quiet.

Then on March 4th, I attended a Rally for Democracy at the San Juan County Courthouse. While our gathering of 100 or so people went unnoticed in Washington, DC, it was not without impact. Passersby honked and waved, heartened to see their own values represented on homemade signs. Participants shared knowledge and ideas for further action. Like rediscovering a neglected muscle, I felt myself gaining strength and courage as I exercised my right to speak freely in public.

The rally reminded me that free speech takes practice, and it showed how we become more powerful when we work together, coordinating our actions.

There will be more rallies to come and opportunities to tell our officials where we stand. We can show up at public meetings to applaud those who take positions of courage and principle. Our schools, county agencies, ports, and other public institutions need to know we’re paying attention, holding them accountable when needed, giving them support when they’re under attack.

When our community is harmed by the Trump administration, it’s time to talk to the press and contact elected officials. I recently learned that our local Island Grown Farmer’s Cooperative received a federal grant for $92,000 to put solar panels on their meat processing facility. They spent their own money on the project, anticipating reimbursement, but now the grant funds are frozen. The SNAP (food stamps) program is also on the chopping block, as well as cuts eliminating support for our food banks and schools to purchase from local farms.

I bet I’m not the only one who’d like to learn more about how the slashing of government staff and programs is hurting our farmers, workers, veterans, and children. I invite you to join me in asking questions, standing up, and speaking loud and clear.

Eliza Habegger,

San Juan Island