by SC Reporter Emilie Alfino
At the Sanibel City Council’s annual organizational meeting, council members elected their leaders for the upcoming year.
Mike Miller, who has served as mayor since March 2025, was nominated with no opposition and was therefore unanimously elected to continue as Mayor for another term. He thanked all the people of Sanibel and City Staff for making his successes possible, and said, “It is my honor to serve.”
There were two nominations for vice mayor: Laura DeBruce and John Henshaw, who cautioned that he will be moving off the island in another year and will be leaving in 2027. Nevertheless, with one year to go, he accepted the nomination and said he would be honored to serve.
The vote for DeBruce resulted in “no” votes from Henshaw, Miller, and Council member Richard Johnson. On the second ballot, John Henshaw was unanimously elected Vice Mayor.
Outgoing Vice Mayor Holly Smith said, “I’m not going anywhere. I hope to be sitting in this seat for a long time.
Vice Mayor Doesn’t Take Long to Make Controversial Comments: “Protests Don’t Belong on Sanibel”
During the council comments portion of the meeting, newly elected Vice Mayor Henshaw said, “I was disappointed to see the recent protest on Sanibel. Those protests didn’t belong on Sanibel. I’m sure there were angry comments going back and forth. As far as I’m concerned, that doesn’t belong on Sanibel. We, the residents of Sanibel, live in harmony. It’s your right, obviously, to protest, but take it off the island. It did create safety concerns. It doesn’t create harmony.”
The recent protest on Sanibel was part of the international No Kings rallies around the country and around the world. An estimated 8 million people participated in over 3,300 No Kings rallies across the United States and in over a dozen countries worldwide on March 28, 2026, marking what could be the largest single-day protest in U.S. history. Reports estimate that hundreds were gathered on Sanibel in front of the Community House.
Council member Laura DeBruce responded to Henshaw’s comments, “Without regard to the content, one of the most cherished values in our country is the right to peaceably gather. I would no sooner tell someone you can’t stand up in a public place. Part of being a sanctuary island is protecting our rights, including the right to speak our piece.”
When questioned further about his remarks, Henshaw doubled down, repeating that of course everyone has the right to peacefully protest – just not on Sanibel. Regarding safety concerns, Henshaw admitted that police officers were available to ensure safety. He said, with obvious distaste, that drivers were honking their horns, either in support of or against the protesters.
“Sanibel is supposed to be a peaceful place, a relaxing sanctuary,” he repeated, again telling citizens they should do their protesting in Ft. Myers.
“Every single day, I am grateful to live on Sanibel—a small town in an idyllic setting. I attended the demonstration on March 28 to express my displeasure with our national governance,” said Sanibel resident Virginia Darby, who is a former board member and still a volunteer with the Sanibel Historical Village & Museum.
“The City of Sanibel was founded in protests, lawsuits, and intense community action. History shows that Sanibel residents have often been passionate for their beliefs,” Darby continued. “In the early 1960s, many islanders protested, showing vehement opposition to the construction of a causeway. A decade later, a rebellion arose, causing residents to reject their county government. Our shared bike path system didn’t just happen—women in the community stopped traffic on Periwinkle when they lay down in the road to call attention to the need for safe walkways and bicycle paths for their children.
“Last month, I became a part of that proud Sanibel tradition—a resident publicly expressing my beliefs and concerns,” Darby concluded. “Protesters around me included veterans and elderly retirees as well as visitors, who took time from their vacations. The demonstrations on Sanibel were heartfelt and peaceful.”
Peaceful protests and public opinions need to be welcomed everywhere, whether disagreed with content or not. It may seem out of place on our peaceful Sanibel but its what makes America special.
Tom. Apparently, I failed to communicate my disappointment clearly. It’s not about the right to protest. It’s about the purpose of the protest. Protesting for the betterment of Sanibel and our community is, and has been, part of our community, as the examples cited in the article show. The ‘No Kings” rally, however, was, as CNN reported, a nationally organized political protest against the President’s policies. For the record, I will be equally disappointed if a group representing the MAGA movement holds its peaceful rally on Sanibel even if it surpasses the national attendance record set by the No Kings organization. On Sanibel, let’s strive for harmony and find ways to improve our island and unite us as a community, not divide us. Enough said. John
I do not understand why this publication spent so much time on this one sided protest point. I was at the meeting and I was the one who stepped up to distract the reporter from ongoing agitation about this statement as Mr Henshaw was accosted during the break. This article is an example of the media bias. Whatever happened to presenting both sides of an issue equally? There was no reason to publish this antagonism. I did not take my grandchildren to the playground that day due to the disruption. Why take over a children’s playground? Vice Mayor Henshaw is right, take it off the island. Protests are not safe.
This discussion will open the door, encouraging other groups to legally create uncomfortable protests for our residents and guests. Let situation take natural course.
What a dumb protest theme. We live in a democracy and the people of this country elect our representatives. If want to yell at a King, move to England, Sweden, or other countries that have them.
And, if you don’t like our representatives, then put down your irrelevant signs and chanting and instead apply your energies to getting who you want in office to be elected.
I find it quite troublesome that an elected official would object to a peaceful protest on Sanibel. Whether or not you agree with the protesters’ message, your first obligation should be to defend their right to do so.
Apparently, I failed to communicate my disappointment clearly. It’s not about the right to protest. It’s about the purpose of the protest. Protesting for the betterment of Sanibel and our community is, and has been, part of our community, as the examples cited in the article show. The ‘No Kings” rally , however, was, as CNN reported, a nationally organized political protest against the President’s policies. For the record, I will be equally disappointed if a group representing the MAGA movement holds its peaceful rally on Sanibel even if it surpasses the national attendance record set by the No Kings organization. On Sanibel, my hope is we work toward harmony and find ways to unite us, not divide us. I apologize if that offends anyone. Enough said.
I, for one,was appalled– not by a protest, but by seeing anything but a peaceful protest. NAME CALLING YELLED at passerbys with hand gestures too negative to mention, and just plain overall attempts to intimidate and agitate those who didn’t join in or those not in agreement. We are better than this! Those blessed enough to call Sanibel home should be COUNTING their blessings rather than stirring up strife. One opinion.
I have not appreciated all the articles about the protest here on Sanibel. I would rather not see protests on the Island but if there are, one article is enough. This writer keeps rewriting this article stirring up comments that cause unnecessary debate. Please move on and please look for articles that bring us together.
I am disappointed in John Henshaw’s objection to peaceful protests. If he cares about our sanctuary status, he should recognize that much of Trump’s agenda is opposed to our island. He is ruining environmental protections, deporting our workers and creating a crude and nasty public posture. Nothing he does comports with a sanctuary island. I hope Vice Mayor Henshaw will soon recognize that protests are protecting our sanctuary status. He may not know that a majority of passing cars appreciated the protesters.
It was extremely disappointing to read Vice Mayor Henshaw’s comments about the peaceful March 28 protest on Sanibel.
I felt very proud when I read about Sanibel’s participation.
Elaine Weingarden
Detroit, Mi
The vice mayor might need a civics lesson.
I was at the meeting and this article represents a bias by the reporter. I was the one who stepped up to distract the reporter for Mr Henshaw during the break. It was obvious the reporter was upset with remarks later in the meeting that had nothing to do with the swearing in.
It’s disappointing to see this bias carried to print. The demonstration did present a safety hazard at the children’s playground. I kept my grand kids away, angry old people can be scary. Why not interview and publish other opinions of the statements made? Take it off the island.
It is interesting that those who claim to support our freedoms are quick to tell others how to exercise them. Especially fundamental freedoms like public assembly and freedom of speech. It is clear that Mr. Henshaw disagrees with the message of this protest, and that ‘s great – a basis for discussion. But to hide under a cloak of “Sanibel ambience” is weak and deceptive.