Napa protest becomes a space for gathering and conversation
“Say her name: Renee Good!” 200-odd protesters chanted at Veterans Park in Napa on Tuesday, carrying signs and waving Mexican, Venezuelan and American flags.
From the dais at the center of the park, “Get Up Stand Up” and “Express Yourself” played.
The protest was part of the nationwide Free America Walkout, with thousands of protestors in cities across the U.S. converging for 2 p.m. rallies, including students leaving school to join demonstrations. Tuesday also marked exactly one year since Donald Trump was sworn in as president of the United States.
In Napa, protestors marched down Main Street and crossed the First Street bridge to Soscol Avenue, looping back over the Third Street bridge before returning to Veterans Park.
According to Indivisible Napa organizer Bill Bindewald, the protests were planned with short notice, and there wasn’t an agenda for the afternoon. Even so, Bindewald said, he was impressed with the turnout.
“The big thing we’re tapping into is — people just need to get together,” said Bindewald. “Getting some optimism and positivity. If we get organized, if we don’t go along, we have a chance to make change. If we stay home, we’ll get rolled over.”
The rallies were organized by the same group behind 2017’s record-breaking Women’s March. Tuesday’s walkout was focused on solidarity, envisioned as a nationwide support for vulnerable groups and opposition to the Trump administration’s leveling of human rights, from increasingly violent Immigrations and Customs Enforcement (ICE) activity to the gutting of the Medicaid funds that support the country’s poorest citizens.
Timothy Milos attended the rally with his daughter, Talia, and her friend, Erin Cullen. Timothy said that over the years he’s been heartened by changes in Napa, which have led to stronger humanitarian movements.
“We’ve seen a shift toward a more active community, a more civil right- oriented community. Napa has historically been a white supremacist, racist county — we have a KKK history. Seeing that change with the Black Lives Matter movement has been very profound.”
Tuesday’s Veterans Park protest didn’t draw the same numbers as Napa’s No Kings rallies, but for many, it was a reminder that locals are energized and ready to speak up for one another. Many took the chance to engage in one-on-one conversation about recent events, namely, the Jan. 3 capture of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, the Jan. 7 killing of Renee Good by an ICE agent in Minnesota and Trump’s recent talk about taking over Greenland.
Tuesday’s rally was calm, said Kathy Summers, a retired educator. But, she added, “I don’t know how nice we would be if we were in Minnesota right now.” Summers said that rallies have sparked conversations with neighbors, and that showing up is meaningful for those who can’t attend.
“People who drive by, besides the honking, some of them do this,” Summers put her hands together in prayer, and mouthed “Thank you.” But, Summers said, she had hoped more young people would attend the rally.
“That’s who I wanted to see here. Because they stand to lose so much. The world as we know it is going to be shot.”
The crowd on Tuesday was indeed mostly older adults, but a handful of youth did show up. Richie and Ramon Garcia, two Napa middle-schoolers, came out with their mom, Alexandra Garcia, and aunt, Jessica Garcia, to join the protest. Both generations grew up in Napa.
“This brings the community together,” said Richie, 14. “What this country’s doing is wrong. I don’t think [Trump] should be trying to take Greenland. It’s not his right.”
Richie’s brother, Ramon Garcia, 13, was more hesitant. After a minute, the boys’ mom, Alexandra, spoke up. “I don’t want to push my beliefs on him,” she said, gesturing to Ramon, who she said is “undecided” about political issues.
“Whether he agrees with the message or not, I wanted to show him the importance of what community can do, and what a voice can do. Since he’s not decided yet, I don’t want to push my beliefs on him. But I want him to see … that this is what we can do.”
Richie held a sign scrawled with the letters “ICE” inlaid with the word “B***.” “That’s what [ICE officer Jonathan Ross] called Renee Good when he shot her,” said Alexandria. “So that’s our message.”
Even the young people are concerned about young people. One former Napa Valley Unified School District contractor, Erin Cullen, 20, said her work with middle schoolers was eye- opening. Cullen is a graduate of Silverado Middle School and Vintage High School.
“I’ve worked with kids for over six years now,” she said. “I’ve noticed a high increase in apathy. We’re seeing that in our classrooms … A lot of kids, specifically at Silverado and our lower income schools — their parents have to work. They do not have time to educate their children. They have to survive.”
Specifically, Cullen’s concerned about middle school boys. “The right is grabbing our younger men and brainwashing them,” she said. “I saw it in middle-schoolers. I had to have conversations with the boys calling their fellow classmates [expletives].”
Cullen was chatting with her friend, Talia Milos, about social media and its role in protest. Though they were a little let down by the absence of other young people, they agreed that the walkout lifted their spirits
“There’s so much noise on social media, which is good,” said Milos. “But seeing people actually come out and forming connections with the people here is really important,” Milos said. “This really helps ground you and be less desensitized.”
