Awakening late on January 1, 2017, with the first coffee of a new year in my hand, I reflected on both the year behind, and the year ahead. Much of what I thought about, has been thought, said, posted, and/or published by me or someone else already. But one topic, point-of-view, issue, and cause for the year ahead rose above all others: the need to support and protect all Americans from the racism, misogyny, and xenophobia., which has been unleashed, fueled, supported, and empowered by our President-elect. This is how tyranny begins, and it must be stopped…

So I posted the words below to Facebook, accompanied by symbolic safety-pin images I created after the US presidential election, while sanctuary cities, the Mayors against Trump, and other groups were beginning to join together and speak out to protect ALL Americans in the days ahead…

. . .

2017 is the year of sanctuary. Of Americans protecting the rights and well-being of ALL Americans. Of celebrating our differences, and gaining strength from our sameness. In this year, we must ensure that the fabric of our society, of our great country, continues to be woven with richly colorful and diverse threads of humanity.

In this year, good people must speak out, and act, individually, and together, for the greater good, fighting darkness with light; strong actions, with stronger resistance. Yes, it will be a fight, not just a peaceful resistance, but it is a fight well worth fighting. Liberty is worth fighting for — not just for the few, those who look/believe the same, or those who claim the same heritage — freedom for ALL Americans!

I am ready to fight for freedom, mine and yours…

— RM —