No Kings Protest (2025)
Activism in the Pines has traditionally taken the form of organizing, strategizing, and fundraising. Going back to 1973 when Lambda Legal in the Pines was formed to raise money to support the fight for gay rights, to the legendary Morning Party, which raised money for Gay Men’s Health Crisis during the height of the AIDS epidemic, advocacy has always been woven into the fabric of the community.
Over the years, activism has taken a more traditional and visible form: public demonstrations. During the height of the AIDS crisis ACT UP organized a Two Minute Silence in the Pines Harbor to honor of the victims of the epidemic. In 2020, in response to the murder of George Floyd, Victor Jeffreys II and Angelo DeSanto organized a Black Lives Matter march on the beach. Five years later, the spirit of resistance continued with two No Kings rallies, one in June and another in October, as part of a nationwide wave of protests against the Trump Administration.
Although the June rally was hampered by rain, Eric Sawyer delivered a rousing wake-up call to the sizable crowd huddled under umbrellas in the Pines Harbor and on the balconies of the Pavilion.
Eric Sawyer addressing crowd at No Kings Protest in June 2025. Photo credit: Virun Rampersad
No Kings protesters at the Pavilion in June 2025. Photo credit: Virun Rampersad.
The October rally enjoyed clearer skies and drew an even larger crowd. Organized by Eric Sawyer, Ryan Espinosa, Colin Joyner and Daley Gruen the event was part of over 2,700 similar rallies across the world that drew over 7 million people.
Participants at No Kings rally in the Pines Harbor on October 18th, 2025
In addition to Eric, speakers included FIPPOA President Henry Robin, board members Russell Saray, Charles Montorio-Archer, and Allan Baum, along with community members Ryan Espinosa, Daley Gruen, James Dale, Ben Wild, and Justin Barton—all emphasizing the urgency of the moment and the need to protect civil rights.
Ben Wild, himself an immigrant, noted poignantly that his whiteness shields him from many of the risks his nonwhite counterparts face.
Ben Wild addressing the crowd. Photo credit: Virun Rampersad.
The emotional high point came from 14-year-old Zoe Horsley, niece of a Pines resident and a member of her school’s Gay-Straight Alliance, who spoke passionately about recognizing the gravity of today’s threats. As Sawyer observed, her words gave him “greater confidence and hope for the upcoming generation.”
14 year old Zoe Horsley speaks at the rally. Photo credit: Virun Rampersad
Many in the crowd agreed that showing up and being counted was an essential first step, but that true progress depends on reaching beyond the echo chamber. As Charles Montorio-Archer reminded the audience, “Winning the hearts and minds of the middle” is critical and requires persistence, empathy, and dialogue. James Dale, whose own landmark case against the Boy Scouts of America reached the U.S. Supreme Court, underscored that lasting change takes years to achieve and then must be vigilantly defended.
Though promoted with a tongue-in-cheek message - “No Kings. Only Queens.” - the rallies carried a serious tone. That gravity was underscored when, before the event began, a plane flew overhead pulling a banner reading “Better Yet, No Queens.” It was a clear message that hate and bigotry are alive and well.
Air banner pulled by small plane over the Pines prior to No Kings Rally. Photo courtesy of Eric Sawyer.
Eric Sawyer, a veteran protester who has been arrested four times in 2025 alone, shrugged off the provocation. As he sagely put it: “Pushback is inevitable, but being silent is not an option.”
