Hundreds Pack Lynwood Theatre, and Listen to Speakers in Hopes of Building a Stronger Democracy on Bainbridge and Beyond

The Historic Lynwood Theatre was packed this past Saturday, on an otherwise gorgeous late spring afternoon, as hundreds of islanders listened to an array of speakers – from politicians to poets to heads of nonprofit organizations – in an effort to learn what they can do to stand up for democracy.

The two-and-a half-hour event, titled “Standing Together, a Rally for Democracy,” was organized by an ad-hoc committee of local residents concerned about the current state of affairs in Washington D.C., and throughout the nation. There were no speakers on the dais representing the other side of the issue. “We’re trying to preserve basic democracy for all,” said Mike Cox, one of the event’s organizers, in a previous interview. “These are unprecedented threats (coming from the Trump administration) to the basic integrity of democracy.”

The initial line-up of speakers and presenters all talked about some of those “threats” to state and federal programs, grants, financing, worker retention, trade, the economy, the treatment of minority groups and much more. They included: a representative of Suquamish Tribe, Emily Randall (Congressional Rep. 6th District), Paul Aussendorf (a now retired federal worker and activist), Greg Nance (State Rep. 23rd District), and Ashley Matthews (the Mayor of Bainbridge Island).

The day also included some music by three celloist from the Bainbridge Symphany Orchestra, plus three woman – Kathyrn Lafond (a health coach), Sharon Stanley (a psychotherapist), and Bainbridge Poet Laurate, Michelle Bombardier – who emphasized ways to cope during what some people deem as “these stressful times” that many islanders and fellow Americans of a certain political bent may be experiencing.

Later, the audience – made up primarily of senior citizens – learned how to potentially “plug into activism” by listening to a bevy of speakers from a variety of mostly non-profit organizations focused on issues such immigration, voting rights and signing up voters, activism, gay pride, farming and so on. Speakers included:  Jessica Salvador (KIAC), John Kydd (Third Act), Steve Romein (Common Power), Bridgit Berry (Indivisible), Eve Palay (Bainbridge Pride), Brian Anderson (Braver Angeles), and Robert Harris (from NAACP).

Participants later broke up into groups and presumably discussed how they might get involved. “This was a forum where people could learn and attach themselves (if they wished) to an organization (that they may be attracted to), like climate change, voting rights, gay rights, etc.,” Cox explained. “What we’re (asking), is there something here? Is there a nucleus of people who want to carry on … and build a nucleus of an infrastructure.’

“What’s happening (in D.C. and around the country) is real,” Cox added. “You’re seeing it (unfold) in National Parks, you’re seeing it (in the reduction of) air and water regulations. … It’s all going to be deteriorating, and people will (eventually) see it.” Cox and other organizers said there are likely to be future meetings around some of the topics discussed.

What follows is what this local movement is espousing:

Goals
1. Build a stronger community on Bainbridge Island by supporting vulnerable communities.
2. Educate the Bainbridge Island community about threats to our democracy under the current Administration.
3. Activate the Bainbridge Island community to resist anti-democratic threats by connecting concerned citizens with organizations and actions that seek to use our democratic rights to effect change.
4. Demonstrate compassion and understanding for the breadth of our community through shared beliefs in democratic rights for all.
Actions
1. Host a series of town halls, movies, concerts, and other events that focus on democracy during 2025 and 2026 on Bainbridge Island.
2. Coordinate with existing organizations on Bainbridge Island to engender greater unity and purpose.
3. Develop declarations that express the will of the community.
4. Through media coverage and personal outreach, expand the reach of the Bainbridge Island Standing Together movement to other communities.