This is what hope looked like in Grand Rapids, Michigan on April 5, 2025. My children didn't want me to attend - the memory of the riot that ensued after George Floyd was murdered still fresh in their minds. Numerous articles about how to prepare for a protest - know your constitutional rights, write your emergency contacts on your arm, be unidentifiable in dark clothes, masks and hats, have an escape plan, etc. Writers reminding us of past civil rights movements when people bravely, peacefully protested knowing they could be physically beaten or even die standing up for what they knew was right.
I told my family that this was a planned peaceful protest. That I didn't need an escape plan or to write phone numbers on my arm. I was insistent that we needed to be on the right side of this movement! I made some posters and what did we encounter at this protest in downtown Grand Rapids?
Furious people full of hate for the new Führer tRump and his Musk Rat regime - yes. But we were smiling, greeting each other, shaking hands, lots of hugs, laughing at each other's creative posters. There were families, neighbors, children playing, determined seniors, defiant veterans and so many different skin colors!
I know it's not want he planned for but thanks to the trump, for he has united us like we have never been before. Hope to see you all at the next protest!
David Hess joined USAID in 1980, serving in its regional office for West Africa, living in the Ivory Coast. Later he served in bilateral country offices in Peru, Bolivia, Guinea, India, Rwanda, and Mozambique. After retirement from the Foreign Service he continued to work with USAID, including a two year resident contract with USAID/Tanzania. He thought he was blissfully retired in bucolic Connecticut when he was recruited and hired to lead USAID/Tanzania's project that helped the Agency monitor program progress, evaluate effects and defects, and learn and adapt to achieve greater impact with U.S. taxpayer dollars. He and his wife Donna flew out on January 20, 2025 to land in Dar es Salaam to begin the two year engagement. The new U.S. administration froze all USAID and other foreign assistance on January 24. David's contract was soon terminated "for the convenience of the government" along with over 5,000 contracts, grants, and cooperative agreements that funded implement partners to save lives, monitor disease outbreaks, teach farming, feed starving refugees and other desperately poor, improve education, and strengthen democratic institutions in over 100 countries.
All of this . The best of America will keep fighting for America. I want to work for the renewed USAID as soon as we have Trump and his enablers in prison.
Why don’t all these people ACT NOW AN DO SOMETHING TO MAKE THE CHANGE! It’s up to all people to be the change you want to see happen! Just do something other then talk about Accross the fence or pillow talk ? Just do it!
I’m a farmer that sends products to you , corn , wheat and soybeans!
We NEVER voted for Trump , ever !
My farm and family stand with you !!!!!!!!!!
💙✌🏼💙✌🏼💙✌🏼💙
This is what hope looked like in Grand Rapids, Michigan on April 5, 2025. My children didn't want me to attend - the memory of the riot that ensued after George Floyd was murdered still fresh in their minds. Numerous articles about how to prepare for a protest - know your constitutional rights, write your emergency contacts on your arm, be unidentifiable in dark clothes, masks and hats, have an escape plan, etc. Writers reminding us of past civil rights movements when people bravely, peacefully protested knowing they could be physically beaten or even die standing up for what they knew was right.
I told my family that this was a planned peaceful protest. That I didn't need an escape plan or to write phone numbers on my arm. I was insistent that we needed to be on the right side of this movement! I made some posters and what did we encounter at this protest in downtown Grand Rapids?
Furious people full of hate for the new Führer tRump and his Musk Rat regime - yes. But we were smiling, greeting each other, shaking hands, lots of hugs, laughing at each other's creative posters. There were families, neighbors, children playing, determined seniors, defiant veterans and so many different skin colors!
I know it's not want he planned for but thanks to the trump, for he has united us like we have never been before. Hope to see you all at the next protest!
Please spread the news of this event: https://secwac.org/event/secwac-presents-david-hess-on-burnin-down-the-house-the-unexpected-end-to-a-career-in-usaid/ -
David Hess joined USAID in 1980, serving in its regional office for West Africa, living in the Ivory Coast. Later he served in bilateral country offices in Peru, Bolivia, Guinea, India, Rwanda, and Mozambique. After retirement from the Foreign Service he continued to work with USAID, including a two year resident contract with USAID/Tanzania. He thought he was blissfully retired in bucolic Connecticut when he was recruited and hired to lead USAID/Tanzania's project that helped the Agency monitor program progress, evaluate effects and defects, and learn and adapt to achieve greater impact with U.S. taxpayer dollars. He and his wife Donna flew out on January 20, 2025 to land in Dar es Salaam to begin the two year engagement. The new U.S. administration froze all USAID and other foreign assistance on January 24. David's contract was soon terminated "for the convenience of the government" along with over 5,000 contracts, grants, and cooperative agreements that funded implement partners to save lives, monitor disease outbreaks, teach farming, feed starving refugees and other desperately poor, improve education, and strengthen democratic institutions in over 100 countries.
When: Thursday, April 10, 2025 – 5:30pm Reception | 6:00pm Presentation | 7:30pm Post-Presentation Dinner
Where: First Congregational Church of Old Lyme, Connecticut
Can’t wait for the penguins to pay those tariffs Donaldorph trumpski should go there to be king
All of this . The best of America will keep fighting for America. I want to work for the renewed USAID as soon as we have Trump and his enablers in prison.
Do something just don’t talk about it DO SOMETHING
Thank you!!! ♥️♥️♥️
Parasites
Why don’t all these people ACT NOW AN DO SOMETHING TO MAKE THE CHANGE! It’s up to all people to be the change you want to see happen! Just do something other then talk about Accross the fence or pillow talk ? Just do it!
💙💙💙💙💙