No Kings 2.0: The Longest Day
Joy Is Resistance
Photo Credit: Corey Perrine, Florida Times-Union
By Katie Chorbak, President, 50501 Veterans
Saturday was one of the longest, most powerful days of my life. No Kings 2.0 was incredible. A last-minute change had me leading the march in Jacksonville from Friendship Fountain to the courthouse — something I never expected.
I randomly saw my friend Katie Michelle, a Navy Vet, and asked her to lead with me, and she brought her sister — another woman veteran. That moment reminded me how strong our bond is, as women veterans.
For the first time, I carried an upside-down flag that read:
“Continuing your service is a betrayal to the oath and to those who died protecting it.”
It broke my heart to do it, but I took an oath to defend the freedom that makes protest possible.
As a female veteran and president of 50501 Veterans, I’ve seen firsthand how deeply service runs — and how heavy it can feel to keep fighting after the uniform comes off. But today, I saw veterans across the country stand shoulder to shoulder, demanding better.
To my women veteran mentors — Diana Danis, Dee Moton Quaranta, and Vanessa Fennell Thomas— thank you. You built me into the advocate I am. Your love, strength, and belief in me made today possible.
And to the local male veteran mentor who’s been in this fight longer than I’ve been alive — I told you I’ll probably never do something this meaningful again, and I meant it.
Jacksonville showed the nation what democracy looks like.
You don’t have to agree with us — but this IS what democracy looks like.
Joy is resistance.
This article originally appeared as a Facebook post on October 18th, 2025. It is republished here with the author’s permission.