P'rotests

 Reuters

 Anti-Trump protesters gather in Washington, other US cities

Thousands of protesters gathered in Washington, D.C, under gloomy skies and light rain. Organizers told Reuters that more than 20,000 people were expected to attend the rally at the National Mall.

CNN

 Nearly 600,000 people have signed up to attend the events, some which will also take place in other countries, according to Indivisible, one of the organizations leading the movement in collaboration with a nationwide coalition that includes civil rights organizations, veterans, women’s rights groups, labor unions and LGBTQ+ advocates.  

France24

Hundreds gather across Europe to protest against Trump and Musk

Hundreds of people gathered in Paris, Berlin, London, Lisbon and several other European citieson Saturday to protest against US President Donald Trump and his adviser Elon Musk. The demonstrations follow a tumultuous week for global financial markets after Trump unveiled sweeping tariffs.

 

The Guardian

• 3h ago
  Anti-Trump protests spread across European cities
• 4h ago
  Photos show nationwide anti-Trump protests from Delaware to California
• 4h ago
  Protesters gather in London as part of anti-Trump rallies
• 5h ago
  Maxwell Frost: 'Insidious rise of authoritarianism fueled by corrupt billionaires'
• 5h ago
  Jamie Raskin: 'We invite all Americans to...join the party in democracy and freedom'
• 5h ago
  Protestors from across the country join Washington DC rally
   

Make a Stand!

On this day, We stand with our fellow Americans

 against the tyranny of President Donald J. Trump and his Republican administration!!

On this Protest day, we obviously couldn't be there but we still participated. I made a large sign and put it on our apartment balcony. We had to DO SOMETHING.

 

Citizens. Show up for America!

 Tomorrow is the DAY, April 5th.

Hats OFF! & Ukraine

Yes, hats off to the people of Wisconsin and Susan Crawford who defeated the candidate of billionaire ELON MUSK for a seat on the Wisconsin State Supreme Court. Musk spent 25 million dollars to defeat her....and LOST.

The recent Wisconsin Supreme Court election, which saw Judge-elect Susan Crawford emerge victorious against a candidate heavily backed by Elon Musk, represents a significant moment that reverberates far beyond the state's borders. It's a narrative that speaks to the enduring power of grassroots movements, the limits of concentrated financial influence in democratic processes, and the crucial role of judicial independence.

Susan Crawford's victory is, in essence, a testament to the power of citizen engagement. It highlights the ability of ordinary people, working together, to counter the weight of substantial financial backing. It’s a powerful reminder that elections are not merely financial contests, but ultimately a reflection of the will of the people. The victory can be seen as a reaffirmation of the fundamental principle that every vote counts, regardless of the disparity in campaign budgets.

Meanwhile: Ukraine 

Pete Hegseth, US Defense Secretary, will not attend the next top-level Ukraine support planning conference next week, a move that will leave the main Western nation forum for coordinating military and security support to Ukraine without the Pentagon’s director in attendance for the very first time, the US-based Defense News magazine reported Thursday.

“There is broad political support for a defense initiative of €40 billion. Of course, right now the discussion is in the details,” European Union foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas, said in comments reported by Brussels media. “Everybody understood around the table that we should really show our resolve right now and support Ukraine so that they can defend themselves.”

The Ukrainian Ministry of Defense plans to deliver 15,000 robotic systems to the battlefield in 2025, a significant increase from the previous year, a top defense official said Monday, March 31.

One of the key systems being deployed is the domestically developed “Lyut” ground robotic complex. Tested in combat and approved for military use, the robot is designed for surveillance and fire support. It is equipped with a 7.62mm machine gun and sensors that allow it to detect and engage targets in both day and night conditions.

History Made!

History was made last night on the floor of the U.S. Congress. New Jersey Democratic Senator, Cory Booker, used the filibuster to speak for 25 hours and 4 minutes to break the record of Democratic Senator Strom Thurmond. 

On August 28, 1957, Strom Thurmond, a Democratic Senator from South Carolina, began a filibuster intended to prevent the passage of the Civil Rights Act of 1957. The filibuster—an extended speech designed to stall legislation—began at 8:54 p.m. and lasted until 9:12 p.m. the following day, a duration of 24 hours and 18 minutes. This made the filibuster the longest single-person filibuster in United States Senate history. It was also the longest single-person Senate speech until April 2, 2025, when the record was broken by Cory Booker, with Booker speaking for 25 hours and 4 minutes. His speech was to tell the American people the harm being done to America by President Trump and his administration. He also did not want the longest speech in the history of the Congress to be a speech full of racism.

 "I could break this record of the man who tried to stop the rights upon which I stand,” Booker said shortly before breaking the record. “I'm not here, though, because of his speech; I'm here despite his speech. I'm here because as powerful as he was, the people were more powerful.”

Senator Cory Booker demonstrated unwavering persistence throughout his 25-hour speech, standing firm in his fight against policies he believed would harm marginalized communities. With no breaks, he passionately defended healthcare, voting rights and justice reform, using historical references and personal stories to keep the Senate and the nation engaged in urgent dialogue.

 His historic speech has reinvigorated Democrats, reminding them of the power of persistence in the fight for healthcare, voting rights and justice. The 25-hour stand showcased his deep commitment to protecting fundamental rights and ensuring every voice is heard. Many see this moment as a turning point—proof that passionate leadership can inspire action and renew momentum.

 Booker’s speech was not just a moment of defiance but a rallying call for progress and lasting change.

"I was challenged by my own constituents to do something different, challenged by my own constituents to do something, challenged by my own constituents to take risks,” Booker said."

Will you accept the challenge? 

 

3 hour break.

 On a good weather day with a three hour break, I went to visit my friend Pawel. He and his wife moved to a new osiedle(neighborhood) two months ago and this was my first opportunity to visit.

I arrived about 11:15 and Pawel came down to meet me at the entrance door.  His flat is on the first floor so we didn't have to travel far to reach it

Inside, he showed me around the new flat and then we settled in the living room to talk. We basically just brought each other up and what as happened to us in the last two months.

Of course, because he is an excellent programmer, I brought my laptop so he could fix two problems I have and it didn't take him long to do it.