||| FROM STEVE BERNHEIM |||
Last Thursday, May Day May 1, five Orcas Island neighbors boarded the 12:50 pm interisland ferry bound for Friday Harbor, intending to test two hypotheses: 1) whether islanders protesting acts of a deranged lunatic can use the ferries to gather in one place and 2) whether Protest Tourism is a viable option for San Juan County.
The first hypothesis was proven true: protestors and demonstrators for any cause could board the 12:50 pm at Orcas Landing, pick up more supporters at Shaw and Lopez Islands and land large numbers of ordinary fed-up citizens in Friday Harbor at 2:15 pm.
Once there, protest opportunities included ferry and local traffic at key intersections and government employees at the Customs and Border Protection. Signs read, “Doe Bay Loves Federal Employees,” “Make Trump Disappear,” and “Diversity Matters.”
The second hypothesis – the viability of Protest Tourism – was also proven true. The brilliant sun, the white steel deck, the blue black Salish Sea all conspired to inspire as we watched the passing show. A cruise and a smorgasbord of protest locations, for free, even! Followed by two Pilsners at Downriggers.
Friday Harbor could be the Disneyland of Constitutional Defense, if only the ferry hadn’t been kept at the dock for an hour past scheduled departure, at least offering interisland passengers and protesters the silver lining of more time to plan the next action.
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