Storming the Castle: A Week of Courage, Community, and Consequence

In Jade City, by Fonda Lee, depending on how their pupils perform during the Pre-Trials, the schoolmasters will be either reasonable harsh or sadistically draconian for the next two months. After Anden is called up, a bell sounds. He keeps his eye on the top platform.

A homeless man tells Bero that Mudt’s dead. Bero asks who killed him. The homeless man replies that walking around with jade is akin to killing yourself.

Chancellor Son Tomarho asks Kaul Hilo how the gods are favoring him. Hilo tells him. ‘With their usual sadistic sense of humor. Son looks at Hilo and sees youth and muscle.

Wren is determined to sink to the bottom of the harbor with the urn she is carrying if the Mountain Finger touches it. Her stigma of bad luck for being a stone eye is like a misshapen object. Taking the ferry crossing is more anonymous than chartering a private boat.

Hilo tells Anden that having the safety cushion of shine in his body will help him. Anden leans his head back and closes his eyes. He lays still, resentment and envy coursing through him like an infection.

On Wednesday, June 11, after listening to 16 candidates plea their case, the Salt Lake County Democratic Party elected a new city councilman to the Salt Lake County Council to replace Arlyn Bradshaw. Jiro Johnson is an LGBTQ+ supporter and a public defender. The speeches were amazing, and Councilman Jiro will need to run again next year to retain his seat. While waiting for the results, my nomination to the Chair of Caucus Chairs and the nomination of the new Chair of House District Charis were ratified by the central committee. I joined the Executive Committee to help other caucuses grow, thrive, and work collaboratively. Drawing on my experience in candidacy and leadership, I believe we can build a stronger, more united party by sharing strategies, resources, and support across caucuses.

The following day, I finally got my Traverse re-registered, since it finally passed the emissions test on Monday, June 9. The process was quick, in and out in less than 15 minutes, and the clerk didn’t require I pay a reinstatement fee. The hospitality and the understanding was amazing. Later that evening, I ordered new personalized plates to honor my deceased wife, since the Traverse was her car. She used to send me off to work with phrase, “Have Fun Storming the Castle,” from The Princess Bride. It was a fun phrase we could use to convey hope for the day, and I cherish the memory. Once the new plates are installed, I will have that constant reminder, and I am looking forward to it.

Saturday, I attended the Womens Democratic Club of Utah at my church. We had presenters talking about the impact that immigrants have on our community, the difficulty of the process to get sanctuary and citizenship, knowing our rights, and preparing to take care of our pets in the event a disaster occurs.

I attended the No Kings Rally in Salt Lake City Pioneer Park Saturday evening. The turnout was huge. It is estimated that about 10,000 people showed up for that rally and march. On the way there, I was cat-called. When someone yelled, “Show us your tits!” from their car, I had to look around to confirm that, yes, I was the only person in the crosswalk at that time. While as a trans woman, it is kind-of affirming, especially since I’m almost 60; on other side, it’s kind of creepy.

At the rally, there were several speakers, including a labor leader, a retired Lieutenant Colonel, and the newly elected county councilman. Jiro Johnson gave a great speech on knowing your rights as a protestor and how to protect yourself from over-policing.

As we were gathering up to march, I spoke with several people. One group of women were mimicking the French anti-Fascist movement by going topless. I was told I was pretty by another person, and someone liked my shoes. Every so often, when I meet people, someone would say, “Don’t I know you? Have I seen you on TV?” This time, the person realized that she recognized me from a committee hearing where I testified. She turned to her friend and said, “This is Sophia! She’s a legend. She helped get legislators to change a bill.” I am not sure which bill she is referring to, as I feel like I have yet to get legislators to change their bills based on my testimony. But it doesn’t mean I won’t stop trying. The march was long, and I was beginning to question if it would ever end, We walked a good mile up and down blocks to the Federal Building, went another half mile or so and started coming around the Federal Building on the way to back to Pioneer Park. All along the distance there was a rallying call and response. I was incredibly grateful for the bottles of water left for the marchers as we passed by. As I was just turning at the block leading back to the Federal Building, I heard what sounded like thunder ahead. People were shouting, “Were those gun shots?” Suddenly, people started rushing back from up ahead. With the crowd we turned and made our way back in groups that slowly dispersed. As I was about to get back to where I parked my car, I saw a resilient group of about 100 marchers who kept the chant going all the way back to Pioneer Park.

Everyone was on pins and needles as we awaited news of what happened. The story at that point was part of the security force saw a man in miltary gear taking aim with a rifle toward the crowd. The security force member fire three shots at the man in an effort to stop him, wounding him and killing a beloved member of the community. The man had an AK-47, and and the feeling was that if he had been successful in his assault, many more people could have been killed.

Arturo Gamboa is a regular anti-fascism protestor, who has shown up dressed all in black with his rifle, probably as a self-designated "protector," not trusting the police to protect protestors against violence. Whatever his reasoning, bringing the AK-47 to a protest that already had a highly-visible civilian security force with military training, together with many of the 10,000 protestors not knowing who he was, and the heigtened cultural anxiety that we are all living through, caused a spark that rippled until it cost one of the protestors their life. You shouldn't openly carry a firearm to a protest that has a security team if you are not part of that team. In my opinion, he should have kept the gun in the backpack.

The police arrived quickly, instructing the marchers to leave the scene, while they investigated the scene. They caught the individual and arrested him. He was booked with murder.

I am so grateful to the quick responses of the security team and the police officers on site. The loss of the beloved member is a tragedy. According to the Salt Lake Tribune, 10,000 demonstrators marched against President Donald Trump in downtown Salt Lake City. 39-year-old Arthur Folasa Ah Loo never made it home. Chief Brian Redd said that the investigators believe that Ah Loo was killed by a member of the peacekeeping team.

Arturo Gamboa was found by officers just minutes after the shooting. Even though he didn’t fire a shot the probable cause statement reads that he knowingly engaged in conduct that gave a great risk of death to another individual. The alleged shooter and another man wearing the neon high-visibility vests cooperated with the police investigation.

Together with the news on the assasination of Minnesota legislators, the day was indeed a sad one. The protestors kept their dignity, and still managed to begin and end with a peacful protest.

In Teller of Small Fortunes, by Julie Leong, the village rouses slowly. Tao rolls up her sleeves and starts setting up for the day. She treats a large roll of fabric with an almost-reverence.

At the market, Tao feels the heft of her purse. She asks Mash to keep an eye on things while she walks about a bit. Here and there watchmen stroll in bored-looking pairs.

Camped in a small grove Tao finds herself rudely awakened in the night. Silt is calling for Mash to help him. Mash calls out for the attackers to show themselves.

After tracking them down, a magefinder tells Tao that while she may not be a proper mage yet, there is certainly very strong magic there. He asks if she might be a seer. Mash hands a scroll back to the magekeeper.

In a week filled with triumph, remembrance, solidarity, and tragedy, I am reminded of the quiet strength that binds our community together. From committee rooms to crowded streets, from testimony to tears, we carry the hopes of those before us and the dreams of those yet to come. Like Tao tending fabric with reverence or Anden confronting the trials of jade, each of us faces a world that tests our resolve—but still we rise. We rise to lead, to march, to heal, and to honor those we’ve lost. The chants may fade, the streets may empty, but the work endures. Let our footsteps echo with purpose, our voices ring with courage, and our love for justice blaze brighter than fear. This is how we storm the castle—together.