Passionate about Democracy, Mike Cox and Others are Holding the ‘Rally for Democracy’ Event June 7th at the Lynwood Theatre
You can forgive Mike Cox if he sounds a bit like Howard Beale, the slightly madcap newscaster from the 1970s movie Network, who was fond of yelling – usually out a window – “I’m mad as hell and I’m not going to take it anymore!”
Cox, a now retired career-long bureaucrat with the Environmental Protection Agency and one of the prime organizers behind the “Stand Together, Rally for Democracy” event slated for Saturday June 7th at the Historic Lynwood Theater, is angry about the current state of affairs in the United States. He’s a bit more understated than the loquacious Howard Beale, but perhaps every bit as upset.
“First off, I believe that some of the basic institutions that comprise our democracy are being challenged, e.g., fair and free elections and a commitment to a peaceful transfer of power; an independent judiciary and due process protections for all; the separation of powers and checks and balances; and a commitment to and protections for free and independent media among others,” says Cox.
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“Secondly, if we want to continue as a country, we need to figure out how to listen to each other and figure out how to do the big “C” – compromise,” he continues. “Currently if there is even a whiff of challenge to this Administration, they start to attack your credibility and then the MAGA (Make American Great Again) folks start harassing and threatening you and your family. That is just plain wrong. … Also, what does it tell our children and grandchildren when the leaders of our country use hate, anger, and retribution as their method of trying to get things done.”
“Finally, Cox notes, “it is personnel. As you know I worked at the EPA for almost 30 years. To see what (myself) and friends and colleagues had done to protect our air, water, and land be dismantled and my friends being told that they should quit because what they are doing is not useful, really hurts. The people I worked with are not leftist, partisan, (or) Marxists. They are hardworking people who believe in the mission of EPA: Protect Human Health and the Environment.”
Standing Together for Democracy is a two-to-three-hour event that will include speeches, music and activist breakout sessions. What follows is what this local movement is espousing:A strong and active democracy in the United States.
Mission
To build a strong sense of a democratic community and unity of purpose on Bainbridge Island through education, advocacy, and compassion and to inspire other communities to do likewise.
Core Values
We believe there is a current political crisis that requires an expression of our fundamental values.
• We believe in a democracy of decency, compassion, respect, and truth; one that serves the needs of all people; and in which every person is granted equal rights and provided due process under the law.
• We believe diversity is a strength.
• We stand together to defend the decency of our government agencies and workers and all others who are unjustly threatened or denied due process.
• We believe in an economy that serves the needs of everyone, not just the privileged few, and does so recognizing the needs of the future as well as the present.
• We believe in managing the land, the sea, and the air for the benefit of our children and their children and all the creatures who share our world.
Goals1. 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.
Saturday June 7th
12:00 – 2:30
Lynwood Theatre
Purpose: To build a strong sense of democratic community and unity of purpose on Bainbridge Island through education, advocacy, and compassions and to inspire other communities to do likewise
12:00 – 12:15: Welcome and Music
– John Kydd (Host)
– Priscilla Jones and Anne Strickland (Musicians)
12:15 – 1:00: Elected Officials
– TBD (Suquamish Tribe Representative)
– Emily Randall (Congressional Rep. 6 th District)
– Paul Aussendorf (Federal Workers)
– Greg Nance (State Rep. 23 rd District)
– Ashley Matthews (Bainbridge Mayor)
– Questions and Answers
1:00 – 1:20: Coping
– Kathyrn Lafond (Health Coach)
– Sharon Stanley (Psychotherapist)
– Michelle Bombardier (Bainbridge Poet Laurate)
1:20 – 1:50: Plugging into Activism
– Jessica Salvador (KIAC)
– John Kydd (Third Act)
– Steve Romein (Common Power)
– Bridgit Berry (Indivisible)
– Eve Palay (Bainbridge Pride)
– Brian Anderson (Braver Angeles)
– Heather Burger (Friends of the Farm)
1:50 – 2:00: Wrap Up and Chanting
– John Kydd
– Anne Strickland
2:00 – 2:30: Breakout Groups
We’re told that Howard Beale is not likely to show up for this event, but you never know. For more information visit: https://www.standingtogetherbi.org/contacts/
Editor’s Note: The Island Wanderer neither supports nor endorses Standing Together. We’re merely reporting that it is happening.
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