Every Thursday a group of Benicians gathers at the Gazebo to wave signs and flags, and blow whistlesand horns to support our Constitution and to protest the corruption, chaos, and cruelty of the current administration. On the same evening across the street near Benicia Memorial Veterans Hall a more compact contingent stands quietly displaying huge American flags. People heading down to the Farmers Market honk at one group or the other to show support, some honk at both, and some are oblivious.
Jim Phelan has been standing in front of Veterans Hall for the past 22 years every Thursday evening displaying the red, white, and blue. Not a vet himself, he started doing this when he noticed that protestors to the war on Iraq on the other side of the street were turning all their flags upside down. He thought it was disrespectful. I wrote about him in one of my first columns in 2021. Unfortunately, he was unable to make it this week.
What is really going on? Are we as far apart as some say or not. I arrived at 4:30 to talk to those near Veterans Hall who were just arriving.
“Why are you out here today,”I asked a smiling fellow named Tom.
“We come to support the vets and all of the ones before us, as well as those currently serving. We’ve been doing this since our inspiration Jim Phelan started it.”
A woman who preferred to remain anonymous said, “We’re here to support the vets who are the greatest military on earth. They ensure that we have liberty and freedom and have given us the greatest nation in the world. I’ve done this on and off for years. I was with Jim years ago when the parents of a Marinestationed in Afghanistan would come out to support their son.”
“Do you make a distinction between protesting and standing here in support of vets,” I asked. “I am very political, but this is not. We all keep that separate. We’re very dignified over here and are 1000 percent in support of vets. We love God and country. Men and women have died to ensure the freedoms we take for granted. Young people have no clue as to what sacrifices it took to enable us to stand here today. I make sure my boys know,” she said.
Another fellow who preferred not to be interviewed agreed to answer a few questions. A Vietnam veteran, he was treated horribly for years after his return. The hostility left its mark. “I was even spit on,” he said.
“I don’t think the protestors across the street believe in the flag or support vets. I am very grateful for the First Amendment, freedom, and the Constitution. Over there, they are secular progressives pushing a political agenda. The Founding Fathers had nothing to do with politics; it was all about liberty,” he added.
At 5 pm, I thanked them and crossed First St. to take up my position by the curb with my sign — “Protect our Constitution.” Unfortunately, Patrick, our music man, wasn’t able to make it. We were disappointed, as some of us like to bust some moves to Aretha’s “Respect,” and other oldies. I interviewed a few of the demonstrators.
Paula Tygielski, sitting on the wall and holding an upside down flag said, “I’m demonstrating against President Trump because I’m very supportive of democracy and Trump is not. I’m not against the President but against this president. This upside down flag is the international symbol for help.”
Brita Bautin and her husband were sitting next to Paula. “It’s a great effort for Paula to come down here, but through thick and thin she’s up for it 90 percent of the time.” She’s gone up and beyond all of us.Paula was a high school chemistry teacher and was in the Peace Corps — twice.
Tom Fitzgerald, retired sports writer, paced back and forth with an enormous flag. “I’m out to show support for people who oppose the Administration which is marked by chaos, cruelty, and dishonor and has made a lasting stain on our country. The sooner we get those people out of Washington the better.They are guilty of war crimes. I would like to see more people here, more young people. It’s their country too.”
“What does the flag represent to you,” I asked. “The flag means my country. I’m very proud of the US but ashamed of this administration. I’m a four-year veteran in the Navy and greatly love my country, but am appalled by the corruption.”
Marialee Neighbours said, “I think it’s important to use our voices to protest the current administration.Their policies are very hateful. An example is immigration, putting people in so-called concentration camps and deporting those who are only trying to make their lives better.”
Marialee is the only one in the group who knows all of the lyrics to the inspirational anthem “Do You Hear the People Sing” from Les Miserables which Patrick plays every week.
At this point, it is getting difficult to hear over the horns, whistles, honking, and traffic.
June Mejias is here every Thursday and Sunday. “Cutting the SNAP program, seeing people lose health care, and millionaires getting tax breaks, I don’t understand why some people are blind to all of this.”
“Do you think protesting makes a difference?” I asked. “Yes, its an example for others driving by to stop and think.”
Leslie Kvasnicka said “I’m out here most weeks and not a fan of most of the things the current regime is doing. She always carries a huge flag. “We’ve always had a flag out. My father is a WW II vet. It’s a symbol we’re proud of. I wish I had the wherewithal to do more. I’m not a confrontational person, not a noisy person, but I’m happy doing this,” she said.
Susan Street, who founded this weekly event, takes cookies to the vets across the street from time to time,and they speak kindly of her.
Benicia, our Main Street town, is showing the world what freedom and freedom look like.
