50501 Jay Obernolte’s Protest
April 5th, 2025. Susan M Lovell, Ph.D.
In spite of the “reason for” the event, there was an excited, hopeful, even joyous energy in the air, as a large crowd of citizens gathered, with persons of all ages, some bringing their kids and pups, whose laughter and happy barks added to the cheerful melee…
We had all gathered on this comfortable, sunny Spring day in the front plaza of Jay Obernolte’s office in Hesperia, joining together in concert with similar “ 50501” Protests all over our nation scheduled for this day. As our Congressman for District 23, Mr. Obernolte was not present for this non-violent Protest. With chants of “Shame on Jay”, “Si se puedes, “Change it or Lose it” and “Resist,Reform,RECLAIM”, many political organizers and federal workers spoke to us about the various ways the Executive branch, led by Trump, Elon Musk, and their minions, have attempted to “dismantle the administrative state”, words they spoke years ago. Through destructive, cruel, illegal and self aggrandizing “executive orders”, our country has been thrown into economic, societal, and political chaos, with ramifications resounding throughout the world.
Derek Marshall, one of the first speakers, the Democratic candidate for Congress in the last two elections, lost by a much narrow margin in his second run. He is now running for one of two City Council seats for the city of Victorville, and his words focused on the meaning and value of citizens protests.
He described three ways in which protests are important. First, enabling citizens to build community with each other in efforts and actions to save our democracy. Secondly, he emphasized the necessity of saving the economy of our nation before it becomes ruined and pulled into recession or even a fiscal depression. The third value of protests he asserted, is to protect, maintain, and rescue our many federal institutions we depend on and which provide critical services for us. The destruction, downsizing or elimination of these agencies, which is happening now, could be the downfall of our society as we know it, and move us toward authoritarianism. All of these reasons depend on Action!
Protest members spoke about the danger to our national forests, parks, and public land such as the B.L.M., U.S. Forest Service, and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, as well as moving Wild-lands Fire Fighting Force to another agency. Reggie Cervantes addressed the cuts to Social Security and our Veterans’ benefits, and quoted the need to stop the 22 Veterans per day who commit suicide with more, not less, mental health care. Manny Gonzales, an Agent Orange poisoned and disabled Vet, spoke of his father, grandfather, and his Native American great-grandfather, and their trials through the years, and why Veterans support is so essential.
One teacher for 30 years, Sherry Walsh, mourned the potential loss of the Department of Education, how 2 MAGA persons joined the Redlands school board and are busy banning books on Gay Pride and preventing students who wish to “come out” privately cannot do so without parental notification. She also shared the story of her son-in-law, working for USAID, who was put on “administrative leave” recently, in the Dominican Republic and cannot leave until this June!
And another speaker, Sue Ferguson, whose daughter, working for USAID was also the object of a “RIF” order, talked about how that agency costs taxpayers only about $36.00 a year, and the loss of valuable help to our international families all over the globe whom we support with food and medical care through this agency, by its diminishment.
A gentleman, Evan Alonzo, spoke as a Teamsters steward for the importance of unions, and as a Public Works Environmental Inspector in Lake Arrowhead, addressed the simple yet essential desire of all workers: fairness in pay, healthcare, respect for their work, and good working conditions.
Many other speakers such as “Ruth”emphasized issues such as the horror in Gaza and the West Bank by the Israeli government and U.S. armament support, after the Hamas attack, and the 63,000 Palestinian orphans whose parents were killed in the conflict and the 232 journalists she said had also been killed.
A strong Protest, we came away with ideas for action, new information, increased personal empathy for our federal workers, and re-ignited for Action! Call Obernolte and Complain!!
April 5th Protests MBDC quotes
MBDC member quotes:
“Alone we can do so little, together we can do so much.” It was fun to cause some good trouble together and know that you’re not alone in the fight. Other people’s enthusiasm, energy and commitment is inspiring.” Rosemary
“Went to the new. Tesla location in Aliso Viejo. This is. Orange County which couldn’t be. Redder. The cars honking in support was deafening at times. We were there before the protest started and hundreds were already lining the streets.” Mila
“The energy pulsated throughout the crowd. Much much larger than our Riverside protest.” ???
“It was a really good day ! I hope everyone felt empowered and encouraged for all that is still ahead of us ! Enjoyed the passion and the people in the high desert town of Hesperia ! I got a chance to speak to the crowd during the “Community Comments” part of this Nationwide event ! It was invigorating and I look forward to the next one ! ” Carrie
“Today this wonderful man stood up for 3 older ladies. We were hot, we were tired, we were engaging in our 1st amendment rights. I guarantee the security guard knows now that we have a right to be on the steps with our signs.” Patrice
“I’m excited for this day of mass mobilization! We will tell the world we do not consent to the destruction of our country.” ???
“It was my first protest march and it was fun. I enjoyed seeing everybody’s signs and hearing what they had to say.” Debby
“In spite of the “reason for” the event, there was an excited, hopeful, even joyous energy in the air, as a large crowd of citizens gathered, with persons of all ages, some bringing their kids and pups, whose laughter and happy barks added to the cheerful melee…” Susan
Thank you MBDC for making a stand today!
Poem from protesting MBDC Member
March 2025
Fellow MBDC member went to a protest in February in Los Angeles fighting for the rights of brown people. Their mom is an immigrant so this made them really mad. When the administration started ending DACA, they had to speak out, especially since they were born in California.
“Rise, Brown Souls”
In streets of fire, where justice calls
Brown bodies gather, standing tall
Their voices echo, a chorus so grand
Demanding freedom, in this promised land
From ancestors’ struggles to present-day strife
The fight for equality, a constant, burning life
Against systemic chains, they raise their fists
Refusing to be silenced, their spirits persist In every corner, a story unfolds
Of resilience, courage, and hearts that never grow old
From farmworkers’ fields to city streets so wide
Brown people unite, side by side
Their protest is a symphony, a rhythm so bold
A cry for human rights, a story to be told
Of freedom, justice, and equality for all
A dream that’s yet to come, but will not fall
So let their voices be heard, their message clear
For brown people’s freedom, they will persevere
Through every struggle, every tear, every scar
They’ll rise, united, near and far.
– Eva Barrios, MBDC Member and native Californian
MBDC Members protest with their PEN!
Holly Hart responded to article:
Mountain News 3/12/2025
Executive Decisions: The Trump Administration
By Karen Zhou
News Editor,
Writing in response to Karen Zhou’s discourse request… In relation to the executive order for the elimination of USDA food safety committees, including the National Advisory Committees on Microbiological Criteria for Foods (NACMCF) and the National Advisory Committee on Meat and Poultry Inspection (NACMPI.) The data collected by these committees is directly applicable to the study of H5 bird flu, which has escalated to tens of millions of egg-laying chickens dying at farms all around the country. This is just a small portion of why these committees were established. If allowed to continue research in confluence with the CDC, instead of eliminating these committees altogether, there would be no need for the next executive order: an investigation into high egg costs. Ms. Zhou stated that the Justice Department has opened an investigation into what might be causing the increase in egg prices, and whether top producers have conspired to increase them. The cost of eggs is in direct relation to the availability of egg-laying chickens. We are in the midst of one of the worst bird flu outbreaks in recent history. Opening an official investigation into egg costs in the face of glaring evidence is superfluous. Why eliminate a committee that exists to help find a way to solve this egg conundrum? The “conspiracy” is obvious. It’s the same old game of “look over here” while doing tenebrous things over there… in hopes that American citizens aren’t fast enough to track which cup the ball is under.
Who knows if they’ll print it… I hope so but I have found this particular newspaper to be quite biased.
Looking forward to attending the next meeting and introducing myself. Thanks for allowing me to be a part!
Holly Hart
MBDC Members protest with their PEN!
John and Susan Lovell McLaughlin responded to article:
Mountain News 3/12/2025
Executive Decisions: The Trump Administration
By Karen Zhou
Dear Editor,
Thank you so much for Karen Zhou’s March 6th essential piece on President Trump’s executive orders. Those fifteen different communiques, varied as they are (or were…some have been ruled illegal, unconstitutional, or withdrawn), reflect the aim, purpose, and state of mind of the current administration and its supporters and inner circle.
Hopeful that others may also write to you on a particular ex.decision or governmental action step, we strongly support and request that the Mountain News might include a weekly piece on Mr. Trump’s administrations’s positions, (just the facts). In doing so, your readers who purchase the Mountain News might receive clear and honest information, not opinion per se, such as recently published by Ms. Zhou, and be induced to send opinion letters, as well!
The two primary issues we’d like to respond to, are the following:
1. “MASSIVE LAYOFFS AND TAKEBACKS AS PART OF RESTRUCTURING:
– Rhetoric: laying off or firing federal workers will save the government costs from salaries.
-Facts:
a. Even if 100,000 federal employees were terminated, the total federal savings would be .01%, one hundredth of one percent, (extremely small) of the U.S. budget. This percentage would be an insignificant amount compared to, for example, 13% for the Dept. of Defense, or 1% for the Dept. of Education.
b. In eliminating federal employees through the United States Civil Service rules, such reductions are required to be “for cause” (poor performance or conduct), even though many individuals recently evaluated by their supervisors as “excellent” have been terminated, e.g. National Park Service, scientists at NIH, and experienced employees at USAID, (the State Department)
2. SOCIAL SECURITY ADMINISTRATION DOWNSIZING:
– Rhetoric: The Social Security Administration initially announced plans to reduce its work force by 7,000 employees, and decrease the number of regional offices from ten(10) to four(4). This reduction appears to be part of the broader effort to cut expenses for the government.
– Facts:
a. Included in this reduction, there are several hundred technology employees who operate the comprehensive computer system that maintains all SSA records. The work that these federal employees do ensures that monthly checks are sent electronically to the approximately *73,000,000 persons (seventy three million) who are legally eligible for such benefits.
b. For those who are receiving earned benefits, including seniors and disabled citizens, an initial attempt from the Trump administration was made to eliminate telephone support services. This attempt was recently retracted due to strong negative responses from the public. This particular service is necessary for those persons with either no internet or because of disability to utilize electronic systems other than the telephone.It appears that we need to continue as citizens to put pressure on the administration for these essential and valuable systems to enable financial support. *40% of U.S. citizens who receive Social Security are totally financially dependent on these benefits. You can check this statistic at * www.ssa.gov.
Respectfully,
John D. McLaughlin
Susan Lovell McLaughlin
