BY KIMBERLY MAYER
I don’t need to tell you how many people turned out in pouring rain for The March for Science, April 22nd in Washington DC. And for The Climate March one week later, with over 200,000 participants, along with tens of thousands in 370 sister marches throughout the country.
Marches are happening with increasing frequency everywhere. It’s getting so you can’t sit them out.
We were in DC for The March for Science, and home on San Juan Island for The Climate March. From one Washington to another.
Azalea blossoms were out in full force in DC, as cherry blossoms lingered. In the islands, Orca whales are in migration, following the salmon who are returning to the rivers where they were born. And hummingbirds returning from their vast migration to our feeders.
Nature needs to know we are with her, that we have her back.
On Saturday April 29th we gathered at noon in the upper parking lot of the courthouse in Friday Harbor. Liquid sunshine then too. Bearing hand-painted signs, wearing handmade costumes, pushing babies in strollers, and toting dogs on leash. One person wore a teepee construction around him. Essentially it was a microcosm of all we had seen, and all the camaraderie we had experienced in DC the week before. One country, coast to coast. Or so it seems.
If there is one good thing to come out of oppressive regimes, it is this: The Resistance.
Who are they, in fact, who do sit this out?
In the run up to the election, I had wanted to write an open letter to my Republican relatives, as well as a few friends I’ve probably lost by now. But I must have mulled over it too much, for I never did. Now of course I wish I had. I would like to hear from you.
Tell me, what did you not see coming with Trump? What were you thinking?
a little elbow room
a little elbow room 
IMHO, we are all to blame. The choices last November were between two lesser-of-two-evil scenarios. Both parties failed to put forth competent, honorable candidates and the silent majority stood by watching. We now have to live with our inaction and, hopefully, learn from our mistakes. My only hope is that I’ll get a chance to do better in 2020.
The reality is it’s a two party system, and our obligation is to select the most competent, qualified candidate. My belief is that that wasn’t done, not by a long shot.
Carry on sister.
On April 21st, in honor of the Science Rally, Tug and I attended a film offered at my Melrose Unitarian Universalist Church.
The Green Sanctuary Committee’s first film in the Environmental Justice Film Series was BIDDER 70. http://www.bidder70film.com.
Extremely powerful, inspiring and highly recommended.
“Once in a while someone comes along that totally wows you; this is the story of Tim DeChristopher. In 2008, University of Utah economics student Tim DeChristopher committed an act which would redefine patriotism, igniting a spirit of civil disobedience in the name of climate justice. As bidder #70, he bid and saved 22,000 acres of pristine wilderness. No property was destroyed, no one was hurt, and valid concerns were raised over the entire oil and gas leasing process. BIDDER 70 centers on an extraordinary, ingenious and effective act of civil disobedience, demanding government and industry accountability. Tim’s commitment to future generations, his evolution as a leader and his willingness to courageously accept the consequences of his action make his a story one that will inspire and motivate a new generation of activists”.
Inspiring what one person can do. Thanks for sharing.