provided to The Santiva Chronicle
Progressives of the Islands successfully hosted a local “No Kings” rally on Sanibel Island on March 28, drawing an estimated 800 attendees. The event was part of a nationwide movement that saw over 3,200 demonstrations across all 50 states, with organizers estimating that 8 million people participated nationwide to protest the policies of the current administration. The strong turnout on Sanibel highlights the community’s deep engagement in national political and governmental affairs.
The Sanibel rally provided a platform for residents and visitors to peacefully voice their concerns and advocate for democratic principles. Progressives of the Islands, a social and political action organization dedicated to educating the electorate and furthering progressive ideals, organized the local gathering. The event’s success underscores the organization’s commitment to fostering good fellowship and civic participation among progressives on Sanibel and Captiva Islands.
Building on the momentum of the rally, Progressives of the Islands is pleased to announce its next community event, focusing on a critical local issue: water quality. The organization will host a special presentation featuring Captains for Clean Water, with guest speaker Bob Beville.
Event Details:
• What: Presentation by Captains for Clean Water featuring Bob Beville
• When: Thursday, April 16, 2026, from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM EDT
• Where: Sanibel Public Library, Library Way, Sanibel, FL 33957
• Cost: Free and open to the public
Captains for Clean Water is a grassroots 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 2016 by fishing guides who witnessed the devastating effects of poor water management practices on Florida’s estuaries. The organization fights to restore and protect aquatic ecosystems through science-based solutions, awareness, and education.
Bob Beville, a third-generation Floridian and board member of Captains for Clean Water, will share his extensive knowledge and passion for Florida’s waterways. Beville has been fishing the waters of Southwest Florida since the 1950s and brings a wealth of experience in advocacy and community leadership. His presentation will cover the ongoing efforts to protect the Everglades, combat red tide, and address water quality issues that directly impact the Sanibel and Captiva communities.
“We are thrilled to welcome Bob Beville and Captains for Clean Water to speak with our community,” said Progressives of the Islands chair Annette Pacyga. “Protecting our water resources is not just an environmental issue; it is essential to our way of life and the local economy. We encourage everyone, regardless of political affiliation, to attend this informative and important event.”
For more information about Progressives of the Islands or to join their mailing list, please visit
http://www.4poi.org or contact prosancapislands@gmail.com.
About Progressives of the Islands: Progressives of the Islands (POI) is organized to stimulate interest in political and governmental affairs, to educate the electorate about issues, to further progressive ideals and principles, to support progressive nominees in national, state, and local campaigns, and to foster good fellowship among Progressives on Sanibel and Captiva Islands.
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