Portraits of Courage — Micki’s Story of Resistance

“We Needed a Way to Come Together”

So, the grifter president is using his 100th day in office to host a rally and rant that his growing unpopularity is "fake news."

Classic.

But the facts are obvious: the first 100 days have been a full-on assault on the rule of law and democratic accountability. The United States has found itself increasingly isolated and destabilized by the bluster-in-chief’s war on the world economy.

But in Canada, we have gone from fear and uncertainty to growing resilience and determined resistance. That resistance is taking root everywhere. And it's being led by everyday Canadians in towns all across our nation.

I want to introduce you to one of the them — Micki Findlay from Vancouver Island.

In her message, Micki described herself as a Canadian author, poet, activist, and debunker of propaganda. I liked her immediately.

Here is the story she shared with me of her fight for Canada.

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“We Needed a Way to Come Together” — Micki’s Story of Resistance

It all began for me back in 2016 when Trump ran for president for the first time. I spent hours writing, posting, and sharing everything I could to warn people not to vote for him. My concerns run especially deep as I have loved ones who live in the US. But my concerns fell on deaf ears.

Trump had flashed his shiny gangster's ring, while making promises he had no intention of keeping.

In both 2016 and 2024, I looked at my husband, as my gut twisted in a knot, and said:

"Trump is going to win. I can feel it."

Sure enough, my gut was right, both times.

Trump's first term was bad enough, but I sensed that Trump 2.0 would be worse. But I had no idea to what extent. The level of cruelty and corruption, Trump and his inept sycophants have unleashed on their own people, has been unfathomable. And their poison is seeping into other parts of the world, including Canada.

When Trump first began threatening to annex our country, making us the 51st state, several people responded by saying, "Oh, that's just Trump spouting off as usual," or "He's just joking," or "That's just Trump-bluster. It's nothing to worry about," to which I would reply, "I hope you're right. I would love to be wrong."

But once again, and as the threats continued, I knew my concerns were justified.

And then came the tariff threats.

Once again people said, "It's just distraction. He doesn't mean it," or "Trump just likes the attention. He won't do it." But, once again, my gut said otherwise. And again, it was right.

The possibility of this evil man having any influence or control over our own country, horrified me. I was becoming consumed with sadness, worry, and anger, and I knew I had to do something. But what?

I was especially worried, and still am, whenever I hear the Conservative leader, Pierre Poilievre, spouting rhetoric right out of Trump's playbook, not to mention all the programs he has voted against - programs that Canadians depend on, especially in these difficult and uncertain times.

Then, along came Charlie Angus.

I think the first time I heard him speak was on the Meidas Touch Network as Ben Meiselas interviewed him. Suddenly, I felt a seed of hope start to grow inside me. This was a fierce and feisty Canadian who understood the seriousness of what was happening and who acknowledged that the threats coming from the White House were real.

Finally - a man who not only 'got it' but who refused to give in to apathy or despair. He was fighting back! And maybe that meant I could, too!

When I heard Charlie talk about his 'Elbows Up' movement, I knew this was exactly what was needed. But even though I have organized events in the past and attended my share of protests, I didn't want to organize my own. When you get to be my age, your mind might be willing, but your body - well - not so much.

And to be honest, I was scared. What if no one came? What if I fell on my face? But I knew, deep down inside, that this was just my pride talking.

So, I searched around online to see if anyone was organizing an Elbows Up event in the Parksville/Qualicum area, but I had no response.

Damn. Now what?

And then I heard Charlie again as he spoke at a rally in Toronto. I was so moved by his speech that I cried. I knew, right then and there, I needed to stop giving in to my fears and create a local Elbows Up movement.

Ironically, right after I made my decision, I discovered that Charlie was coming to Vancouver Island. This meant I could just scrap my idea and join his rally, instead. Yes! The pressure was off!

But my gut spoke again:

"No, Micki. Charlie is coming to Nanaimo, Victoria, and Courtenay, not Parksville or Qualicum. We need one here!"

So, I followed through with my plans, designed a poster, flyers, created a Facebook event, and invited everyone I knew. But I needed help. Next thing I knew, three other women contacted me and asked, "What can I do?" We were off to the races.

I had no idea what to expect, even though we had advertised in the classifieds, posted all over social media, were featured on a local podcast, and handed out flyers and put up posters. I still wondered, would people come?

What amazed me was the incredible response we received from many people as we handed out our flyers on the street, in cafes, and at local farmers' markets:

"Of course I'll be there!” — “Thank you for doing this!" — "I wouldn't miss it!" — "Count us in. Elbows Up!"

I knew I had made the right decision. It was clear to me that other people had the same worries and feelings of helplessness I was experiencing and wanted to feel a part of something positive and productive. We needed a way to come together as Canadians and fight back.

We kept things simple. This was, after all, our first time out of the gate. So, we gathered together, with our flags, hats, and protest signs, along the side of the highway at a busy intersection.

What I didn't expect was the number of people who showed up – around fifty. The other thing that surprised me was how many people honked and waved at us as they drove by. It happened so often, it felt like we were in a parade!

My heart swelled with a sense of renewed hope, knowing that so many people understood and appreciated what we were doing.

Will we do this again? We hope to. We need to.

When people ask if there will be a repeat, I wink and say: "Stay tuned."

And to Charlie, I say, "Thank you for being the inspiration and the hero we need during these dark days. Your honesty, feistiness, and courage are infectious. Thanks to you, I believe Canadians will never "bend the knee" or "kiss the gangster's ring."

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With people like Micki standing up for our nation, we cannot be beaten or broken.

Her story is just one example of the courage rising across Canada.

Portraits of Courage is an ongoing series highlighting everyday people who are standing up against fascism, tyranny, disinformation and fear. If you or someone you know is resisting in any way—big or small—in your community, workplace, or family, The Resistance wants to hear from you.

Every act of resistance matters, and your story might be the spark that inspires someone else. Email your story to info@charlieangus.ca

Keep kicking at the darkness — it is beginning to bleed daylight.

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Thank you for reading.