By Joanie Juster–
The current administration continues its scorched-earth rampage, making Sherman’s march through Georgia look like a romp through the park. Each day brings a new horror, as rights, protections, safety nets, and societal norms we have relied upon all our lives vanish. They have gleefully destroyed everything most people care about: our economy, national security, healthcare, arts and culture, libraries, schools, our country’s standing in the world, our basic constitutional rights, the rule of law, and any sense of security. Nothing is safe; nothing is sacred. As one friend ruefully said to me, “They’re culling the herd. They want the sick, the elderly, the vulnerable to simply die.”
That’s the bad news.
But stick with me here—there is a growing amount of good news, too, and much of that is due to all of us. Just look at the historic victory in Wisconsin on April 1. That is what people power can accomplish.
Ever since this national nightmare began on January 20, we’ve heard people saying, “Where are our leaders? Where are the big protests?” The deliberate speed and intensity with which destruction has been brought upon us as made mounting a formidable and cohesive resistance monumentally challenging.
But there is resistance, and the resistance movement is growing exponentially every day. One of the most visible and successful is taking place at Tesla dealerships all over the country. #TeslaTakedown protests have become the new brunch: a place to build networks with likeminded people to support each other, swap information about protest tactics and upcoming resistance events, and, at the same time, inflict an immense amount of economic damage to a certain megalomaniac’s brand. Part of the genius of the #TeslaTakedown movement is that they take place at regularly scheduled times and locations so people can plan their protest times, and build relationships. Check out the action near you: https://tinyurl.com/TeslaT25
Protests are growing each week, as people of all political persuasions realize how much damage is being inflicted upon their own lives, their families, and their communities. As popular programs like Medicaid and Social Security that support tens of millions of Americans are threatened, the protests grow. The “Hands Off!” nationwide protest on April 5 was organized by an intersectional coalition of partners, from the ACLU and Indivisible to community groups, because we are all in this together. Building coalitions is key to helping each other survive this crisis.
The next big event for the Bay Area will be the People’s March/Fight Fascism for Democracy! in San Francisco on Saturday, April 12. Starting with a rally at Embarcadero Plaza at noon, the plan is to then march up Market Street to City Hall. Veteran activists Alex U. Inn and Juanita MORE!, have assembled a coalition of young progressive officials, faith leaders, teachers, trans-leaders, immigrants, BIPOC, artists, the disenfranchised, and anyone else who feels they are subject to the unlawful policies of the new administration. https://tinyurl.com/PeopleFF25
Meanwhile, in town halls in every state, people are making their voices heard loud and clear. Our elected officials need to hear from each of us. Make your daily calls via 5Calls, take advantage of every opportunity to speak to elected officials, and keep showing up, in person and in writing, to speak out against what is happening to our country. This is our moment. Use it wisely, and stay loud.
Meanwhile, Stay Safe
Recent high-profile violent attacks in the Castro have left the issue of safety on everyone’s mind. We all need to be mindful of our own safety, and also the safety of those around us. Now is a good time to review basic safety guidelines, starting with the most basic: always be aware of your surroundings, both for your own safety, and for the safety of others. Please see the sidebar in this issue with suggestions on actions to take if you witness an attack.
While you’re at it, take some time to review your digital security, also. We are living in an age of pervasive surveillance, and we simply cannot assume that our digital communications are safe or private anymore. Both your online presence and your electronic devices are vulnerable to surveillance and attack. I don’t mean to sound paranoid, but it’s worth spending the time to take steps to secure your online safety.
Easter Is Coming; You Need a Silly Bonnet
The Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence’s annual Easter in the Park festivities may be particularly heady this year, as the holiday happens to fall on 4/20. The confluence of these two over-the-top celebrations should make the festivities even more giddy than usual, so you will need headgear that rises to the occasion.
Fortunately, legendary “Mad Hatter of the Castro” Joe Mac is here to help. On Saturday, April 19—the day before Easter—Joe will be holding his umpteenth Easter Bonnet sale at 440 Bar. After too many years (he has lost count) of making hundreds of fantastical bonnets, he has declared that this is his final year. Of course, he says that every year, but since you never know if he really means it this time, you had better buy one or more of his one-of-a-kind creations for your collection, just in case.
The bonnets, which are made from whatever is lying around that strikes his fancy, range “from Fabulous to Fugly.” They reflect, not just Joe’s wildly off-kilter sense of humor, but also his theatrical background, which included, as his first job in San Francisco, a stint at the historic (and famously hat-centric) Beach Blanket Babylon.
Joe’s bonnet obsession is in his genes. He grew up in a family that threw hat parties for all occasions, then continued the hat parties all through school and college – anywhere he could find hot glue, wire, and glitter. He can make a hat out of anything and everything, including one this year out of toilet paper tubes. “You should see my living room,” he once confessed in a San Francisco Chronicle profile. “It looks like an explosion in a drag queen factory.”
This year, Joe will be joined by his good friend and creative partner Deana Dawn, who is contributing her handmade spring headgear to the sale as well. The hats are an absolute steal at only $20–$25 a pop, with a large portion of the proceeds going to local charities, which includes AIDS Walk San Francisco this year. The event’s hosts, including Joe Mac, Deana Dawn, and Kelly Houston, invite you to “come get silly with us.” And isn’t that exactly what we all need right now?
The bonnet sale is great fun, and a grand old San Francisco tradition. Pick up the Easter Bonnet of your dreams on Saturday, April 19, from 1–3 pm at 440 Castro—and be the envy of all who see you at Easter in the Park the next day.
https://tinyurl.com/JoeMacBonnets
By Joanie Juster and Ken Craig–
Thanks to Ken Craig of Castro Community on Patrol for providing these guidelines for bystanders who witness a violent incident, or even a verbal altercation that is not violent:
• Ensure you are SAFE, as you do not want to become a second victim of the incident.
• CALL 9-1-1 if you witness any violent incident, or if you believe a verbal altercation “may” become violent. Time is of the essence and may literally save a life, so CALL FIRST.
• If you feel safe in doing so, use your SAFETY WHISTLE to call attention to the incident by blowing repeatedly in THREE short blasts. Hopefully others in the area will do likewise with their own safety whistle, which may be enough to stop the attack.
• If you feel safe in doing so, shout loudly that Police have been called and are on their way. Again, this may be enough to stop the attack and encourage perpetrators to flee the scene.
• If you feel safe in doing so, use your cell phone to video and audio record the incident and provide this evidence to police either when they arrive on scene or afterwards by contacting the relevant police station. DO NOT post such videos to social media BEFORE offering them to police, as doing so may compromise their use as evidence in court.
• If you feel safe in doing so, provide what first aid and comfort you can to any victim of a violent attack until police and medical responders arrive. Your actions may save a life.
• Please be willing to WAIT and provide a statement to police as a witness if you observed the attack or anything relevant to the incident. Evidence and witness statements are vitally important in investigating attacks, identifying suspects, and ultimately arresting and prosecuting them.
Joanie Juster is a long-time community volunteer, activist, and ally.
In Case You Missed It
Published on April 10, 2025
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