Please join us for our 64th consecutive community rally to Defend Democracy in beautiful downtown Bethel. While our overall theme is Defending Democracy, each week we pick a specific focus. On Saturday, May 23rd, 11am – 12:30pm our focus will be:
Memorial Day: Honoring the Fallen By Advocating for Peace
“We don’t know them all, but we owe them all.” — Unknown
Memorial Day is a federal holiday in the United States for mourning the U.S. military personnel who died while serving in the United States Armed Forces. It is observed on the last Monday of May and is also considered to be the unofficial beginning of summer.
Advocating for peace is a powerful way to honor those who have fallen in service to our country. By actively working to prevent the conditions that lead to conflict, we ensure their ultimate sacrifice helps build a safer, more harmonious world for future generations.
Everyday actions rooted in compassion, diplomacy, and community building serve as a living tribute to those who laid down their lives.
“As we reflect on the unfathomable human toll of war, we can be left with only one conclusion. The best way to honor those who have fought and died in defense of our country is to say – that was enough. Your sacrifice was enough. Your families’ sacrifice was enough. We will not allow power or money or political saber-rattling to lead this country into an unnecessary war and take more lives on top of the precious life you have already given. We will work for peace and seek it out however we can” – Rayanne Bennett, Associate Publisher, Trenton Monitor
We are honored to welcome John Miksad from Veterans For Peace to speak with us this week.
Organizations such as Veterans For Peace utilize the firsthand experiences of those who served to educate the public on the true costs of war and advocate for peaceful solutions.
John’s talk will be, “Dr. King was right!: 59 Years After the Beyond Vietnam Speech” Dr. King warned us of the great harm war causes our young men and women in the military and to our society.
On April 4, 1967 at Riverside Church, in NYC, Martin Luther King delivered his powerful and most controversial speech, “Beyond Vietnam: A Time to Break Silence”. No longer willing to keep silent about the immorality of the Vietnam War, knowing the intense criticism he would receive for speaking out, he nevertheless was compelled to speak, “I am here tonight because my conscience leaves me no other choice”.
King spoke against war and its crippling effects on social progress. He denounced the death and destruction in Vietnam and the waste of billions on an immoral war. All this at the expense of the poor and those serving in the military.
The speech is considered a turning point in the public opinions of the Vietnam War. He gave this speech, one year to the day before he was assassinated in Memphis, Tennessee, on April 4, 1968, assisting garbage workers to get justice and fair wages.
Community Reading of MLK Speech
As part of our program, five members of our Bethel rally community, who are veterans or family members of veterans, will read excerpts of key sections of MLK’s speech.
We encourage everyone to read the full speech if you can. There will also be a full reading of the speech on Memorial Day 5/25 in Norwalk that you can attend!
Music and war have been inextricably linked throughout human history. Functioning as a tool for communication, a psychological weapon, and a source of emotional survival, the intersection of the two takes many forms.
Countless artists channel the horrors of conflict into powerful protest music. Music also provides a therapeutic escape, helping people process trauma and reduce stress. Do we look to it as a means of hope, or is it just a comforting pastime during uncertain times?
In this spirit, will be graced with songs from our amazing songstress, Lorraine McGuire. Hint, hint……
John Miksad (Mick-Sad)
John never imagined himself as a peace activist but our nation’s policies that have led us into endless wars of aggression compelled him to take a stand. He is convinced that we desperately need a new paradigm for international relations, one based on cooperation. John is a grandfather of two and every action he takes in the name of peace and social justice is dedicated to help create a future where his grandsons and all in their generation can flourish. He volunteers with World BEYOND War and Veterans for Peace, two non-profit organizations working to end the scourge of war and establish a just and sustainable peace. Visit them at worldbeyondwar.org
veteransforpeace.org
Lorraine McGuire is a local talent, and some of you have heard her before, at the Bethel rallies or maybe when dining out in local restaurants. Lorraine’s love of singing and performing started at an early age and included a love of musical theatre. In her college years, she mastered touring New York City schools performing with the Oswego State Singers. In CT she was Karaoke State champ twice and the FM Productions Danbury winner.
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See the full rally announcement with pictures here:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1DNTSHa3D1CoM9BzoxfzfML6VKPUSnLiHRLRm3PrmfzY/edit?usp=drivesdk
Please don’t attend the rally if you cannot refrain from engaging with agitators.
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Never miss information about upcoming rallies by registering for our rally newsletter, bit.ly/BethelRalliesNewsletter
(case sensitive).
You can also provide feedback on what you’d like to see at future rallies.
Questions and feedback are also always welcome anytime at:
BethelDefendsDemocracyRallies@gmail.com
Visit our website BethelRallies.org
to find videos and pictures from our past rallies.
Note: Rally is rain, snow or shine. Please bring your own lawn or camping chair.
Approximate Rally Schedule:
(Rally will be at the back of the Bethel Library on Greenwood Ave on the sidewalk and up to 17 feet from the curb)
11:00 – 11:15 Sign holding and chanting
11:15 – 11:45 Program
11:45 – 12:05 March
12:05 – 12:30 Sign holding and chanting
12:30 pm Disperse
Food Pantry Requests:
We collect for Bethel’s food pantry each week. All non-perishable items are greatly appreciated, but the food pantry especially needs: Cereal, Canned & dried fruit, coffee, toilet paper, laundry detergent in SMALL bottles. The pantry is also ready to receive *Cardboard* egg cartons only.
The Bethel Defends Democracy Rally has Adopted-A-Mile for the Bethel Police Department for the 2026 Connecticut Law Enforcement Torch Run to benefit Special Olympics Connecticut.
We appreciate Bethel PD helping to keep everyone safe each week at the rallies and the extra effort required for the large No Kings rallies.
If you would like to contribute to our Adopt-A-Mile, we will have a special larger blue donation box at the rallies for donating to this cause. If you cannot make the rally but would like to contribute, you can venmo me: @Cyndie-McGuire (please put a note that it is for the Adopt-A-Mile).
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We have tried to arrange the rallies so there is a little something for everyone: chanting, marching, themes with speakers, live music, fun trinkets, sign making. We appreciate every one of you that attends. Together we can voice our frustrations, build community, and also hopefully learn a little something from experts or your fellow neighbors’ experience.
We appreciate your understanding and cooperation. ❤️
Please park at one of the four public parking lots. We ask that you leave the limited street parking spots open so they are available for patrons of downtown businesses – but definitely enjoy our beautiful town’s restaurants and shops after the rally!
Bring your voice, your spirit, and your friends. Let’s make change visible.
💥 Because the fight for democracy continues through all seasons.
Thank you 😊
*A core principle behind all Indivisible events is a commitment to nonviolent action. We expect all participants to seek to de-escalate any potential confrontation with those who disagree with our values.*