No Kings, Juneteenth & Civic Power — Sharon Kyle Joins Us
Honoring freedom, rejecting tyranny, and learning how to protect our rights — together.
Happy Juneteenth!
Today we celebrate Juneteenth, a day that marks the end of slavery in the United States. On June 19th, 1865 — more than two years after the Emancipation Proclamation — news of freedom finally reached enslaved people in Galveston, Texas.
Juneteenth reminds us that freedom has always been fought for, protected, and expanded by formerly enslaved people and their descendants, who refused to accept injustice as inevitable. As we honor this day, let’s remember that the fight for freedom and equality continues — and each of us plays a part.
No Kings, No Silence — Where We Stand Now
This past weekend gave me hope:
Across the country, people poured into the streets with one clear message — We don’t serve kings.
These peaceful “No King” protests were a powerful reminder that this nation began by rejecting monarchs, and that principle still matters today.
It wasn’t just about opposing a candidate — it was about reaffirming something deeper:
✅ No one is above the law.
✅ No single person should hold unchecked power.
✅ Our freedom depends on us showing up — again and again.
These moments remind us that history is shaped by those who refuse to stay silent. Let’s keep showing up.
Coming Up: Sharon Kyle on From Discord to Harmony
With millions taking action this past weekend, exercising their First Amendment rights, it only seemed fitting to have Sharon Kyle, Publisher and Co-Founder of the LA Progressive and an ACLU Board member, speak to my Substack community this month. I’ve included about a 10-minute clip from our interview.
In this segment, Sharon explains how her deep involvement with the ACLU transformed her understanding of civil liberties and civil rights — and why civic education is essential for a true democracy. She shares how her work with the ACLU taught her the real power citizens hold: from the right to vote and organize, to learning how to lobby elected officials and hold power accountable. Sharon emphasizes that staying civically engaged is not just a privilege but a necessity, and she urges everyone to get informed, join organizations like the ACLU, and actively protect the rights that too often go unchallenged.
Join me and Sharon Kyle for a live Q&A:
🗓 Sunday, June 29th at 4pm PST
A link will be sent to all paid Substack subscribers.
Not a subscriber yet?
✍🏽 Reflection Prompt
What does Juneteenth mean to you in this moment?
What does “No King” mean to you, today?
What freedoms do you feel called to protect right now?
What small action could you take this week to live out that commitment?
With courage, celebration, and community,
Danita