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DEMOCRACIES in ACTION

In my opinion, the USSR and then Putler and China have always wanted to destroy American democracy without ever doing so. The USSR and then Putler have achieved the unthinkable; put an autocrat or pro-dictatorship leader at the head of the most powerful democracy!

Campaign to Defend Our Democracies

Every morning, from 8 to 9 AM (between the ICRC and the UN, in Geneva – Switzerland),
I stand up to defend American democracy and to protect European democracy,
alone, facing the silence of the media.

Help me break the silence:
share this alarm call on your social media.

The American people must act now —
not at the midterms — then it will be too late.

(To jump directly to the blog (last day), click here.
To go to the table of contents, click at the beginning (last day) or end (first days).
To view the posters or signs and the press release. )

Desired objectives

  1. Awareness that diplomats must help save democracies from the coming chaos.
    Basic reminders from the UN: “The will of the people is the basis of the authority of public power.”
    Democracy is one of the core, universal, and indivisible values and principles of the United Nations. Democracy provides the natural framework for protecting and effectively achieving HUMAN RIGHTS.
  2. Journalists, media outlets, female influencers and influencers are our voices. 🗣️📢
  3. Citizens – women, men – and civil society have the duty to ACT before it’s too late. Don’t count on the politicians, count only on yourselves…
    USA: Print or draw signs, print T-shirts    , and walk around or go to your daily activities wearing your T-shirts or with signs tied around your neck with a nice ribbon.
    (Quick tip: For signs hanging around your neck, print the same message on both sides. That way, even if they flip, people can still read them.)

World:

Protecting all democracies concerns all of us.
So take action in front of all U.S. diplomatic offices around the world.

Points importants constaté sur la campagne Anti-Trump et Pro-Démocratie durant les 5 premiers jours

Highlights:

  • 👍 More than a hundred encouraging signs or short honks during the first five days.

  • 😊 Messages of support that keep growing day after day.

  • 👮‍♂️ Twice, the police were polite and kind, just reminding me of a few rules.

  • 🗣️ More and more, public servants are talking to each other about what I’m doing.

Tougher moments:

  • 😠 Once, the police were harsh and finally ordered me to leave… with threats if I came back.

  • 🖕 One middle finger in five days. (Well, you can’t please everyone!)

  • 🧳💨 Someone stole some of my things. (Sad, but that won’t stop me!)

About the media:
📰 Journalists? For now, radio silence… except one! (See Wednesday, March 26.)

For those who already read the blog, here are some additions added afterward:
  •  

Tuesday 22 April: Easter, school holidays... no protest this week

Even though I had marked the UN holidays in my calendar, I still went out Friday morning for my daily protest.
As I was crossing the street, I noticed the school guard was missing. And I thought: strange, he’s not here?
I stopped by a tobacco shop to check… and yes, it was a public holiday — and Monday too.
Back home.

This morning, I went to the UN. Got there at 8:10, left around 8:50.
There were a few staff going to work, but far fewer than usual.
Probably many of them took time off during the school holidays.

So I won’t go back this week.

Next protest: Monday, April 28, from 8 a.m.

Happy holidays to all of you ✨

Thursday 17 April: On the bus, Speakers, 2 Russian individuals

This time, I remembered to bring my boots. The same ones I wore when I rode my 125cc scooter from Geneva to the Ukrainian-Hungarian border in French.

Problem on the bus

A woman was helping me hold my bike, but not very confidently. Then my bag, which was in the front basket, spilled all over the floor. That was bad… Trying to balance the bike and pick up my things at the same time was nearly impossible.

Luckily, the woman helping me and another lady rushed to grab everything and handed me my items one by one. I just put everything, in bulk, back in the bag.

Surprise: they were so quick that I suddenly realized I was already at my bus stop! I thought I had missed it because of the mess and the stress… In the end, thanks to them, everything went fine — they saved me from walking back up Peace Avenue.

People I spoke with

Several short exchanges: about the rain, my perseverance, my endurance… and several people thanked me for being there every day.

Curious and kind woman

  • Why are you here every day? To protect US democracy… and ours too.
  • Even in bad weather? YES, even if it snows, I’ll be here.
  • She asked if she could take a picture? YES. And this time, for the first time, I told her those photos should go to the USA. I never think of saying that! She replied, “Of course.”
  • She thanked me and encouraged me to keep going.

Woman on a bike

Thank you for your perseverance… and especially for your endurance!

American

  • Very happy to see me taking action.
  • He told me about difficult situations in the USA, especially job losses.
  • He asked where to get coffee. I told him he’d find some past the Place des Nations.

Driver greeting me

I heard a voice… but I thought it was coming from behind me, near the hotel school park. The voice kept calling: “I’m here, I’m here…” I looked around in all directions. Then I saw a waving arm and a big smile. Then the light turned green and he drove off.

Servette* area: two men speak to me

*Name changed

I was walking my bike. They saw my sign: “Danger, Trump is a Traitor.”

The first one asked me what I meant by “traitor.” I explained: someone who betrays.

Then he asked: “But why would Trump be a traitor?”

I answered: because of his actions toward Ukraine… and toward us Europeans. (Not to mention Canada, Greenland, Panama, Mexico…)

The second man told me “I am Russian” and he said the US abandoned the Afghan people.

YES, that’s true. But only after trying everything to help them — schools, clinics, women’s rights — the Americans gave up. Exhausted. Disheartened to see that the men were not doing anything to bring real change. Once again, it was women and children who lost everything. (Of course, it’s more complex, but in street talk, you keep it simple… depending on whether people want to go deeper or not.)

He continued: “In Russia, life is good. It’s fake news to say otherwise.”

My answer? A simple observation. If that were true, why does the Russian government give away land and money to attract foreigners to move there? Yet no one rushes to Russia… Meanwhile, in Europe and the US, we try to stop migrants — but everyone wants to come. Even if it means risking their lives.

He nodded. Then he mentioned an agreement that said Eastern European countries shouldn’t join NATO. (I’m not sure which agreement he meant — probably a verbal promise.)

YES, but let’s not forget: it’s the people who wanted to join NATO. They know the Russian imperialist mindset… and they want to avoid at all costs going back to the suffering of Soviet times.

A quick explanation for better understanding

I didn’t tell him about that time when people were afraid of everyone. Fear of denunciation made people live in fear of neighbors, coworkers… even family. A Romanian engineer once explained it all to me. And he told me also about the kompromat system — compromising files, real or fake, used for blackmail.

Kompromat was the nightmare of Soviet elites… and still is in Russia today. Some experts believe Trump is being blackmailed with kompromat, because of his frequent trips to the USSR and Eastern Europe in the 1980s — mainly because of his model wife, famous in Eastern Europe. That might explain why he gives in to every demand from Putler!

Back to the NATO conversation

Countries that didn’t join NATO are afraid for their future. For example: Moldova, Georgia, and Belarus, where a democrat, Ms. Svetlana Tikhanovskaya, is believed to have won the elections. Officially, no. But many say yes. The people tried to defend the result… but Lukashenko panicked and asked Putin for help. He got it. Unfortunately, it worked.

There are two countries whose people did not rise up to defend their dictators: Syria and Russia. When Prigozhin (leader of Wagner) marched toward Moscow… complete silence. The people and the army did nothing to defend Putin!

So yes… I kind of let off steam. But both of them listened. They never contradicted me. Except a bit about Belarus, but we left it at that. Maybe they were a bit surprised by how much I knew — eventually, they let me know they had to go.

Wednesday, April 16: Accident, Interactive?

Oh no… everything was dry, and just five minutes before I arrived, the rain started. It’s not that I’m against the rain—on the contrary, I see it as essential for nature, and I respect it. In my view, it’s up to me to adapt…

But this morning, I forgot to take my boots, and my shoes ended up soaked…

Car accident

When I arrived, I noticed engine oil and absorbent sand on the road, right at the pedestrian crossing and on a curve. The accident probably happened last night. Thankfully it didn’t happen while I was there—otherwise, the police might have used it as an excuse to stop me from showing my signs.

Questions that felt like an Interactive!

It was strange—I didn’t see her cross at the pedestrian crossing, so I assume she came from the UN. What struck me right away was her attitude. I didn’t feel the usual curiosity, but rather concern.

Her questions came quickly, one after another:

  • Are you American? NO, I’m Swiss, from Geneva.
  • Even in bad weather, you’re still here? YES, even if it were snowing, I’d still be here.
  • Why are you so motivated? To save American democracy, against Trump’s wish to destroy it, and to defend our democracies from the extremes.
  • But Trump was elected! YES, but millions of Americans already regret voting for him. They say, “This isn’t what we voted for!”

She finally walked back toward the UN.

Tuesday, April 15: A New Angel Appeared to Me…

The Umbrella Angel…

She had just crossed the pedestrian crossing and walked straight toward me, with a big smile and a touch of worry on her face. I thought she might make a comment about my signs, or maybe tell me something about her colleagues. But no, not at all. She was just concerned to see me standing in the rain with no protection. And I could see in her eyes that she truly wanted to find a solution.

She offered me her umbrella. But I couldn’t hold it in one hand and still show both signs… As I write these words, I realize it wasn’t a real problem – I could have adapted. But at that moment, I was deep in *my protest with two signs* – nothing else mattered! Then she had another idea: to place her umbrella on top of the pole with the bike traffic lights. Sure, there was no wind, but if a bus or truck passed by, it would fly away. And I didn’t want to go chasing an umbrella into the street…

A little disappointed not to find a better solution, she walked away, with a slight look of regret. And I too felt a bit puzzled. On one hand, I was touched by her kindness; on the other, I wished I had come up with something better.

Back home, I looked for an umbrella. But I don’t have one anymore. I must have given them to second-hand stores – I never use them.

Then an idea came to me: what if I taped an umbrella directly onto the traffic light pole? YES, that would be a great idea! I could tape it at the top and the bottom, so it stays stable even if a vehicle causes a gust of wind.

So now, I’ve already put a wide roll of tape in my bag. I just need to find an umbrella…

Monday, April 14: New materials, glad to see me

Here’s my first rainy day—and I showed up 15 minutes early, then I stayed

longer than usual!

Did I catch a cold?

Here’s a fun fact: this winter was the first time in my life that I didn’t wear a coat at all.
Rain, wind, strong northern breeze, snow, freezing temperatures… I faced it all with just a t-shirt, a long-sleeved shirt, a sweater, and finally, the t-shirt promoting my website about real citizen democracy.
Why no coat? Because I wanted that t-shirt to always be visible!

You’re probably wondering: did I get sick? The answer is NO. (I am Vegetarian.)

Well, except once—when I was by the lake and my feet got wet. That day I felt a slight tickle in my throat.
In the evening, I took my natural remedy, which I buy from the Budé farm (in French). The next morning, I was in great shape.

If you’re curious, here’s the recipe:

(All ingredients must be organic)

  • Grated ginger, generously
  • Grated red onion (optional) (Both links in French)
  • Grated garlic (optional)
  • One tablespoon of honey. Stir it slowly.
    If it’s too thick, drink a sip of the mix, then add a bit of honey each time and let it slowly slide down your throat.
  • Squeeze in a lemon.
  • Use room temperature water.
    Never hot water, because it destroys some of the healing properties.

You can rinse the grater and save that water too. A toothbrush works well for cleaning the grater.

If you catch it early, one dose may be enough.
If not, take it 2 or 3 times during the night and 3 times during the day, until you feel better.

New materials

This time, I didn’t laminate my A3 posters. Instead, I bought transparent plastic sleeves for A3 binders. (The manufacturer Kolma No. 57.631.20 calls them “A3 Pockets”.)
They’re open on one side, of course, but that actually makes it easier to change the posters inside.
To keep things a bit stiff, I insert several old posters, or a cardboard sheet, or even a previously laminated poster.

The issue I had this morning is that these sleeves feel smoother than laminated plastic. So, with gloves on, they kept slipping through my fingers! I’ll need to get used to that. Once I stop wearing gloves, it’ll be easier.

The real weak point is the open side — especially when it rains. And this week, I had four rainy mornings…

Different interactions

A man happy to see me

In passing, a man tells me he’s happy to see me every morning: “Thanks for your perseverance.”

Of course, I thank him back.

Even short messages like this warm the 💖.

A woman stopped with her bike

I clearly remember the good feeling of the conversation… but not what we talked about. Too bad!

10 a.m. meeting with the journalist at RTS headquarters

Basically, he wanted to know if I was still as motivated as in the early days, with the idea of writing something about me.

YES, for sure!

J: Does the police leave me alone?

Well, NO. Just last Friday, they caused me more trouble. I explained to him what happened — which you can read on my blog from Friday, April 11.

Do the police have the right to harass me from time to time? I don’t think so. But they still do it!

If a far-right government were to come to power, this kind of illegal behavior would become widespread very quickly.

How to prevent extremist governments from rising

To prevent extremists from taking power, we absolutely need to improve our democracies. That’s the only way to avoid such dangerous trends — whether it’s the election of a far-right government and the police will risk breaking the law more openly.

That’s one of the reasons I want to improve our democracies: to make them more focused on the citizens… and NO on the ideologies of politicians.

J: Have you seen the two reports (in French) about men who, just like you, protested alone for their cause?

YES, and strangely enough, the man from South Korea had set up his tent right next to the main entrance of the World Trade Organization (WTO).

And yet… I’m much more discreet — but the police have already asked me to leave twice in just one month. With threats, of course.

So here’s the question I keep asking myself: In times like these, are governments becoming less tolerant of freedom of expression?…

Waiting for the article will be done!
Korean Defending Small Farmers in French
Vietnamese against the war, in French

Sunday 13 April: Two amazing videos

To check the quality and seriousness of these videos, and because I have some knowledge of modern Western fighter jets—mainly European and American—I listened carefully to the report about the American F-35.

My conclusion is positive. The video shares expert concerns and criticism, even from within the U.S. military. When comparing the Eurofighter Typhoon and the French Rafale, the report didn’t mention that the Rafale had actually won several competitions. Still, it wasn’t chosen, likely for political reasons. The filmmaker could have emphasized the Rafale more… but he didn’t. Probably because political motives are hard to prove, and he wanted to avoid speculation. For me, that shows quality: the effort to stay balanced works in the report’s favor.

It’s important to know that Michael Moore was once sued by the U.S. government after highlighting how Cuban healthcare outperforms the American system. This fact is known worldwide. And yet, Moore was labeled anti-American…

If anyone knows where to find the English version of both reports, please let me know.

Trump’s Tariff Crisis – “Markets Crash” (39:11)

In this report (in French), I heard explanations I’d never heard before, even after watching dozens of programs on customs tariffs. These taxes are being introduced far too early—companies don’t yet have time to move production back to the U.S.

In my opinion, these taxes shouldn’t be imposed by country, but by company. Any company promising to manufacture in the U.S. should be exempt from taxes as soon as that promise is signed.

In short, it’s clear that no real planning took place. Trump’s sudden decisions were followed without question—people are afraid to contradict him and lose their jobs.

Second point: the report gives real-life examples of what Americans are already going through. Higher prices, rural agency closures, fewer public services due to budget cuts, inefficient understaffed agencies, new public workers learning on the job, and more.

Trump’s Attack on Democracy (43:15)
This video (in French) clearly shows how Trump is dismantling federal institutions and putting American democracy at risk.

And if countries in Europe were to shift toward Trump-like policies, we would also face serious risks.

But will what’s happening in the U.S. help us protect ourselves? Not necessarily… Joe Biden warned many times about this danger, and his entire campaign was based on that. But even with those warnings, the American people didn’t listen! That means the danger exists for us too.

To avoid it, we must improve our democracies—turning them into REAL citizen-led democracies, as explained on my website.

Here’s a true story that shows how abuse can happen even in Switzerland. The people who started a referendum against new anti-terrorist laws warned everyone: the existing laws were enough. The new ones, pushed by the government, mostly limit civil liberties. Still, the people voted for the government’s version.

And the referendum creators were right… because I was personally affected by the consequences of these laws.

It happened during my welcome campaign to the Swiss government in Geneva-Meyrin on April 27, 2022. Just as I started putting up my first banner—made of four posters—a police van arrived. While checking my ID and asking questions, I continued posting. In the end, they allowed it.

Later, motorcycle police stopped me again. The first thing they asked was, “What’s your mobile number?” I refused to give it. Seeing his surprise, I gave my landline instead. Then they left.

An hour later, one of my daughters called. A policeman had contacted her asking for my mobile number. She gave it, forgetting I had clearly told her never to share it with the police.

That’s how they got around my refusal. Once they had my number, they could track me—without needing a judge’s permission. That’s how the new anti-terror law opened a loophole. Under the pretext of fighting terrorism, the police gained a new tool to monitor civilians—something they didn’t have before.

Friday 11 April: 2x Police (Photos of the police), Woman in scooter, "Polemic" Poster, Journalist, recovery of my photos

For the first time, I only showed two posters, because as you already know, on Fridays there are fewer people around. (I imagine they take long weekends.)

On the side of the road going up toward the US mission, the sign visible was: “Is Trump a Russian agent?” The idea is to make US diplomatic staff realize that they might be working for a president who could be a Russian agent.

On the other side of the road, meaning for vehicles coming from the US mission, the message was: “Danger, Trump is a traitor.”

Police 1

Sitting on my stool, I noticed the first police car passing on my right, coming from behind me. I saw the officer sticking his arm out to wave. So I lifted my signs to greet him back, and then he waved at me again. Twice!

Police 2

About ten minutes later, another police car stopped behind me.

Two officers approached me from the left, and that’s when I saw them. One looked serious and didn’t speak at all. Not even when I spoke to him! No joke.

His colleague, on the other hand, seemed outgoing and friendly. But it was just a front. Still, for once, they didn’t ask for my ID.

Photos taken of the police, by a driver:

I was surprised to see a driver taking pictures of the police while they talked to me. I wonder if he was annoyed they were bothering me. Anyway, since the beginning, I’ve never stopped showing my signs to diplomats during police interventions. And this time, I stuck to that golden rule.

Pretty quickly, I realized the police were trying to nitpick…

And I was right. One of my posters called Trump a traitor. One officer told me that under Swiss law, I wasn’t allowed to criticize a head of state or country without proof. I thought, seriously? That’s new. He said that since no court had convicted Trump for treason, I couldn’t say it. I replied: that’s rich! Trump lies like he breathes, and I’m not allowed to say what most Americans believe and say out loud? Not to mention Ukrainians, Taiwanese, and Europeans repeating it daily. He answered that only the rich can say what they want without consequences…

You get the idea — I wasn’t there to argue endlessly. I let it go. But I’m sure you understand where I’m coming from. I had to respond once, just so they don’t think I buy their nonsense. But it’s best not to get dragged into sterile debates. The real issue is: do we, as individuals, have the right to speak freely?

Because that’s the real point of these attempts to destabilize us. Instead of defending free speech, they try to discourage it with psychological pressure. Probably something they’re not even allowed to do. And if they are, that’s even worse. Imagine a far-right government taking power — they’d just need to change a few laws and the police could easily repress free speech. Beware: our freedom hangs by a thread. Without vigilance, we quickly slide into a police state.

During the US presidential campaign, Trump said if the police couldn’t stop the protesters, he’d call in the National Guard. And if that wasn’t enough, the army. He doesn’t have the legal right to do that, but since law, honesty, and justice aren’t part of his DNA, nothing would stop him. Let’s hope he never goes that far.

Back to the police officers — I wasn’t done being surprised!

Today, I heard a bunch of wild statements. Like: “Rich people can say whatever they want without being bothered.”

Then, he told me that the area where I was standing (the small island in the middle of Avenue de la Paix) might belong to the UN or the ICRC. He said he’d check the land registry to be sure. I thought: now I’ve heard everything… He added that if that were true, I wouldn’t be allowed to be there. That’s when I realized he was just looking for any excuse to stop me from speaking freely.

I told him his goal was to censor me… He cut me off, saying not at all, he was just applying the law, not making it. I said he was being overzealous, and didn’t need to waste time digging through land records or overanalyzing my texts. I asked if adding a question mark would make my message OK. He said: “That’s a good idea, in that case it’s fine.” So, to please him, I added the question mark by hand once I got home — but not on the website.

Finally, he said the island wasn’t safe — a car might hit me, and my safety comes first. That argument came out of nowhere. If he had really believed that, he wouldn’t have talked about land ownership. And yet, that island is the place where I disturb the least. He said I could move to the sidewalk on the ICRC side and I wouldn’t bother anyone. Maybe so, but my signs wouldn’t be visible to diplomats go up on the other side and will not come down, on this side, until the end of the day.

I told him, “If you really want to stop me from trying to save American democracy, you’ll have to put me in jail.” And he answered, “No way! We already don’t put real criminals in jail, we’re not going to put you in there.” Cool for me 😜

As a final little jab, I asked, “So maybe I should stand directly in front of the US mission?” And to my shock, he said yes, because that land is private. I didn’t tell him that almost every other police officer has told me not to go there. His answer was so unreal, I just let him believe he was right. His colleagues can deal with him later 😡


Whenever the opportunity arose, I argued that there was no court decision as well. The purpose being to demonstrate, to the police officer, the aberration of this new vision, out of nowhere!

Woman on a scooter 🛵

After packing up my things, I crossed the street toward the UN. A woman on a scooter stopped right next to me and said straight away that the police had no right to ask me to leave! I told her: “That’s true, but they were being overzealous and tried to force me to move.” That said, I was planning to leave anyway.

Looking back, I think she saw the scene and waited to see what the police would do with me. Thanks to her for stopping and reminding me of my right to speak freely.

Anyway, I’m not going to stress about it. On Monday, I’ll go back to where I started my campaign — near the intersection by the Russian mission.

Biking around with the sign that upset today’s harassing policeman!

After hearing some absurd comments today, I decided to put up my sign: “DANGER, TRUMP IS A TRAITOR”, taped to the front of my bike basket. That way, it’s always visible — near the UN and everywhere I go around Geneva.

RTS Journalist

Remember the first journalist who reached out to me? He wants to meet again to ask a few more questions for his article. We’ll meet Monday morning, from 10 a.m. But I’ve already warned him: if I don’t show up, it means the police have taken me in!

Retrieving photos from my smartphone

It cost me a lot: 69 francs instead of 79. Not cheap for just a few photos. This weekend, I’ll upload them to the corresponding pages. I’ll keep you posted.

Thursday, April 10: Quick chats on the fly

They happened while cars were waiting at the red light. The traffic island where I stand is about 30 to 50 meters away from the lights. That gives enough time to exchange a few words — and for others to snap pictures through their windshields. Hopefully, they’ll send those photos to American social media…

One man told me that Trump had backtracked on the tariffs and lowered them. I said: Really? He acts like a ten-year-old kid trying things out just to see what happens — until he gets scolded. Later, I checked the news and saw that the increase in U.S. debt interest rates, from 3.9 to 4.5, suddenly made the national debt skyrocket. Yet Trump had promised those rates would go down, saving hundreds of billions for the Treasury.

A woman told me that China had struck back with an 84% customs tariff. After checking the news, I realized China clearly understood the absurdity of Trump’s policies against everyone. I think they want to provoke him into an escalation. It’ll hurt both countries, but Trump will face growing opposition from his own people — and that’s exactly what China wants. On their side, the Chinese government has tight control over the population. No one will dare to move.

Anyway, Russia and China have already won far more than expected. All of America’s allies feel so attacked that China just has to collect these panicked countries like ripe fruit. Imagine — Japan, South Korea, and even Australia are now trying to get along with China. The world turned upside down!

The U.S. is losing on all fronts. It’s really sad. And to think Joe Biden had predicted all of this many times, but the voters didn’t believe him!

In short, Trump has destroyed 80 years of soft power in just a few months. That’s exactly the message on one of my posters, which I’ve been showing since the very beginning of my anti-Trump campaign.

Wednesday 9 April: Democracies in color, Photos of the place and me, police, Fast and keep his weight

Finally, I remembered to take pictures… But there’s a catch…

Democracyincolors.com Our Org — Democracy in Color

Last night, by chance, I came across this website and got the idea to write to its founder, a certain Steve Phillips — lawyer, journalist and author (bestselling New York Times writer of Brown Is the New White and national bestseller How We Win the Civil War).

This morning, I polished the email and sent it. I’m sharing it below in case you know a journalist you could suggest to meet me. That way, they could help amplify the global campaign for citizens to protect — and maybe even improve — democracy.

Subject: Invitation to cover a pro-democracy action at the UN in Geneva

Hello Mr. Steve Phillips,

I just discovered your website “Democracy in Color” and I especially liked the title of the latest article by Cecillia Wang from the ACLU. It clearly echoes my current campaign: urgent citizen mobilization against Donald Trump and in favor of democracy.

I’d like to raise American public awareness about the seriousness of the situation — not just for the U.S., but for the whole world. That’s why I’ve launched a symbolic action: a one-hour daily sit-in, from 8 to 9 a.m. on weekdays, right in front of the main entrance of the UN, opposite the ICRC, in Geneva.

Every morning, I display posters designed to catch the attention of American and international diplomats walking by. You can see them on my website https://true-democracy.info/usa-trump_fr, along with a 15-minute video explaining my citizen democracy project in detail (currently on pause while I focus on this alert campaign): https://true-democracy.info.

My hope is for this action to be echoed and reproduced in front of U.S. embassies and institutions around the world. But for that, I need support — especially media support. If you know any journalists based in Europe — especially in Geneva — it would be a huge help if you told them about my morning presence and this initiative.

You’ll find the exact address and more details in my press release here: https://true-democracy.info/presse

Collaboration between committed activists is essential to preserving our democracies. Don’t hesitate to contact me if you have any questions — about my direct democracy project or this global awareness campaign.

With sincere regards,
Jo of GVA – Geneva – Switzerland – Europe

Let’s hope it leads somewhere…

Police

Honestly, for a while the number of police cars passing by had gone down compared to the early weeks of my action. I was about to share good news: no more police harassment!

Well, NO. This morning, it happened again: my fifth identity check! Since yesterday, I’ve been using my bike to prop up signs on the ground with the wheels. The police asked if I had a protest permit. I said yes, verbally. They wanted to check if I had written authorization, since apparently I’m not allowed to set up posters!

While one officer was asking questions, I told the other that it was the fifth time I’d been checked! He replied, “Then you’re used to it…” I told him what worries me is the lack of communication within the police!

I heard the other officer say on the phone that the posters weren’t aggressive…

In the end, they said everything was OK and I wouldn’t be checked again. I replied that I’d heard that before — and the checks still continued. They assured me there would be no other check today…

If I insist on sharing these incidents, it’s not out of paranoia, but to show the kinds of pressure one might face. So you’ll know what to expect — and be ready to deal with intimidation or censorship attempts.

Photos of the site and of me

I finally decided to take pictures of the place, just before and during the police arrival.

After they left, remember the man who crosses my little island every morning to switch sidewalks? He came by again. I asked if he’d be willing to take a few pictures of me there. He said yes, with a big smile and a lot of positive energy.

Back home

I realized the memory card wasn’t in the phone… And I haven’t been able to transfer photos directly from my camera to my computer for years. So for now, I’m stuck. I’ll try to see if a pro can retrieve the images and put them on a USB stick. Still no photos of me on-site in the blog — for now!

News on Fasting

When you get up, hydrate yourself with a glass of water or a PRESSED fruit juice. If possible, never drink industrial fruit juices.

After the fast, I’ve managed to eat only once a day — usually around 11 a.m., until the next morning when I have a few fruits before heading out to battle Trump. Honestly, I feel good — let’s hope it lasts…

How to keep your weight or lose a little

Fun fact: I lost 5 kg and have already regained 1.7 kg. I hope I don’t go over 2.5 kg.

When you’re dieting or fasting, to avoid gaining back too much weight, you have to change how you eat and reduce portions. A few tips: cut down on fried foods, stop eating processed meals, and if needed, change your meal schedule. The first two I’ve already done; only the schedule needed adjusting.

I’ll keep you posted if I can maintain this long term, and what challenges come up with society’s eating habits…

For those who enjoy multiple meals per day, remember this saying: “Eat like a Queen in the morning, like a Princess at noon, and like a Pauper at night.”

Tuesday, April 8: Ukrainian 💕 and her granddaughter, morning Ok

🇺🇦 Ukraine

What a surprise! I was waiting at the traffic light when a familiar voice called out from behind me.
It was my Ukrainian friend, a classical dancer, who shares the same first name as the wife of the Ukrainian president… and her adorable little daughter, full of life, with a radiant smile like a sunbeam.
It had been so long since we’d seen each other… I walked a little way with them, then said goodbye with a bit of regret.

But my humanitarian duty was calling.
A duty to stand for American democracy… and against Trump, who wants to destroy it.

So I returned to my little island. Peaceful. As usual.

There seemed to be more UN staff around after 9 a.m., so I stayed until 9:30.

Monday 7 April: morning Ok, debrief cramps, noon video on nazism in the USA! ❄️🇺🇸📸

🙏 Gratitude — and Frozen Fingers
Several people thanked me, and I was photographed multiple times.
Despite my gloves, my fingers were freezing.
I really hope some of those pictures reach the USA — so people there can see that Europeans do support American democracy.

😖 Cramp Nightmare — Debrief
Friday night was horrible.
But Saturday night was calm. And this morning, just one warning sign — quickly stopped by getting up.
So everything seems to be better now.
But why were there so many brutal cramps during that one awful night? No idea…

Video: America First, Nazi Conspiracy in french — about Hitler’s desire to control the USA.

Honestly, it sent shivers down my spine.
I had never heard that Nazism had reached so far in the USA — or elsewhere!
Sure, after the war, I knew many high-ranking German officers escaped to South America — but about the USA? Never heard anything.
To my knowledge, in the USA, it was communism that was hunted down.
That’s why Charlie Chaplin (yes, Charlot) decided to move to Switzerland — even though he wasn’t a communist but an humanist.
(Chaplin Museum) 😨 🎥 🌎

This video was aired or created by the French National Assembly’s parliamentary TV channel, LCP — not by some anti-American outlet or fringe media. 🏛️📡🇫🇷

If you know of a similar program in English or Spanish, please let me know! 🌐🙏📺

Why include the link to such a video in this blog? Two reasons:

  1. The Nazi salute by Elon Musk, which made headlines around the world, was the first image that popped into my head. Who knows why? 😳🧐🖐️
  2. US democracy was in danger — and even the American government didn’t seem fully aware of it. A bit like now, with Trump, when Joe Biden predicted the catastrophe, yet more than half of the voting population didn’t believe him… and voted for Trump. 🗳️⚠️📉

Friday, April 4: New posters on USAID absent and US woman, an artist, end of the fast

8 new posters

I woke up around 5:30 a.m. and managed to print them this morning. These are the posters from pages 205 to 214. The idea is to change the messages each week to keep people interested.

Americans are nowhere to be found, while people are dying

This time, the focus is on the problems USAID faces when it comes to organizing emergency relief. The earthquake happened on March 28 around noon, local time in Myanmar. Trump said on the 29th that the USA would help the country, despite political disagreements! But three American experts were only scheduled to arrive five days later — just to assess the needs!

USAID already knows what the needs are. But I guess Trump didn’t want any waste! So when American aid finally gets there — if it ever does — it’ll be too late, and probably not even suitable anymore, because needs evolve over time.

After Myanmar’s call for international aid, India sent a cargo plane in less than 24 hours with medical equipment for overwhelmed hospitals. You don’t need to be an expert to understand the urgency! China sent dogs, personnel, and medical equipment. Same with Europe. All of them acted before the American experts even stepped foot there!

Woman with messages about Trump on her coat

At a protest in the USA, I saw a woman wearing a coat covered in messages insulting Trump. It was striking! She must have glued the letters one by one. In any case, it was super clear and well done.

I used her message on four posters, with three arguments per poster. She had written “Trump is.” I wrote “Trumpin is.” Why? Because one expert explained that since Trump follows all of Putin’s demands, they created a mashup between Trump and Putin — “Trumpin.” Personally, I would have written “Trumtin.”

A painter for peace

At first, she just nodded when she saw my posters and took a picture from a distance. Then she searched her bag for a while, crossed the street with a white sheet of paper, and told me she paints around the theme of PEACE. Since I also work for peace in my own way, why not collaborate? She gave me a card with one of her illustrations and her contact info.

I asked if I could post a picture of her card on my blog, and she happily agreed, excited to see another initiative for peace. She said we should all move in that direction together.

Her website: https://www.gudrunkargl.at/gudrunkargl.html

I forgot to tell her about the movie playing right now about the Dalai Lama at the Nord-Sud cinema in Servette, until April 8. Check my April 1st blog post or go directly to our movie outing section.

The picture should be posted by Sunday, once some technical issues are resolved. I’ll mention it at the top of the blog so you can access it directly.

End of the Fast 🌟☕️📚

In the morning, I prepared a liter and a half of rice water, planning to make another one in the afternoon. But, as often in life, things didn’t go as planned…

From the morning until 1:15 p.m., I was focused on creating my blog post, which I finally managed to publish. Then I went to the bus station to accompany some Buddhist monks. 🙏🌏🌟

Back home, I remembered something I wanted to add to a previous blog post, along with the Dalai Lama flyer. And then… surprise! The image spot had disappeared!?! Looking closer, I saw that other edits had also vanished… even my blog post for the day was gone. 🤦‍♂️😬🚨

I still don’t know what happened. But all my morning and afternoon work had disappeared. Gone. So I started over again — with a knot in my stomach, but no time to waste. I finished everything by 5:45 p.m., just in time to get ready for my last fasting group meeting. ⏳📝🌪️

At the Protestant Temple, I felt mentally exhausted. It was the first time I experienced such a drop in energy during the fast. 💭😓🕯️ That evening, I realized I had completely forgotten my second rice soup. Worse: I hadn’t drunk a single drop of water all afternoon. And when you’re fasting, hydration isn’t optional — it’s vital. 🚱😵‍💫💧

(This Saturday afternoon, I placed a one-liter glass bottle right next to me so I won’t forget to hydrate throughout the day. 🚶‍♂️💦🌞)

Remember that angel who gave me a croissant — that was on Wednesday, April 2. Since I was fasting, I immediately put it in a freezer bag and into the freezer. This morning, I moved it to the fridge, and at 6 p.m., it was part of my fast-breaking meal. 💕🥐💖

After breaking the fast, I enjoyed my adorable croissant. It still smelled delicious, even though it wasn’t crispy anymore. But who cares — the most important thing was the feeling. I ate it slowly, taking small bites and chewing well to help digestion. Pure delight. And my thoughts were with that little angel. 🌈🥰😇

Thanks again for that gesture — it really touched me.

In the early evening, everything was fine and I went to bed as usual. But during the night… something strange happened. I woke up every hour, or hour and a half, with foot cramps. I couldn’t control them like I usually do. ☔️🫠🌑

The first time, I tried to stay in bed and stretch my feet, but nothing worked. I finally got up and walked slowly to ease the pain. After that, I didn’t wait anymore: I got up right away to walk it off. 🦶🚶‍♂️😣

In the morning, I pulled some cooked rice packets from the fridge, made two fried eggs, and… mmm… what a joy to eat! 🥚🌾🤤

Then I went back to bed until noon. And now — miracle — I feel great again. ✨🚀🌞

Today, I added a lot of my personal touch. But it’s also so you can better understand the why and how behind what I do. 📝💖🧵

Thursday 3 April: Late arrival!

It was the first time this had happened to me. Since I have trouble falling asleep when I go to bed early, I usually end up working or watching news about Ukraine — which means I go to bed too late! But this week, I’m fasting, so I’m trying to improve by going to bed half an hour earlier each night. And it seems to be working so far.

Yesterday, however, I had turned off my phone, so this morning… no alarm! When I woke up, I remembered my phone was off and jumped out of bed. But it was already 7:30… No time to panic! I threw on my clothes and grabbed my bike.

Yes, I know, I shouldn’t be biking while fasting, but it was the only way not to arrive too late. Halfway through, I hopped on a bus after asking the driver if he was heading the right way. During the ride, my bike fell onto the aluminum floor of the bus with a deafening crash. A moment later, as I was about to ask the driver another question, the bike decided to fall a second time…

Embarrassed, I quickly went to pick it up and decided to stay next to it to avoid a third accident. The driver, during a stop, came out of his seat and walked toward me:

— You need to stay with your bike so no passenger gets hurt.

— Yes, of course, I totally understand. Sorry!

I replied while using hand gestures to show I was sincere.

Finally, I asked a passenger if the bus would drop me close to my stop. Phew — she said yes!

I ended up arriving at 8:20!

On the way back, I also took a few buses and finished with a downhill ride — much less exhausting!

The reception was very positive, and nothing special to report.

Wednesday 2 April: Croissant, Owner Restaurant, Police, Cornavin station, free food

The sun is shining today. The bise wind has finally stopped, and even though it’s still cold, the air feels more bearable. ❄️ 🌬️ ☀️

A lovely stranger brought me a croissant 🙏 😍 💖

She crossed the street between the cars and appeared on my left, like an angel, smiling and radiating joy. You won’t believe it, but this stranger, out of nowhere, gave me a 🥐.

I didn’t know how to thank her. Since I’m fasting, I promised to eat it on Friday night when I break my fast — slowly, with gratitude, thinking of her and all the kind and generous people who help make society better… each in their own way. 💭 ❤️ ✨

Side note: on Monday, I signed up to volunteer at the Servette church to help serve dinner every evening. What motivated me is seeing so many Ukrainian women and men attending these solidarity evenings.

With the hundreds of smiles and encouragements I receive each day, it’s clear that trying to improve our societies is worth it. All these kind people deserve a respectful, safe, and caring society. And that’s exactly why I will keep fighting with all my strength for a true citizen democracy. (That’s the goal of my project true-democracy.info, built to help us make it happen.) ✊ 📢 💕 💙 💪 🌍 ✨

A Chinese diplomat?

Suddenly, out of the corner of my eye, I saw a big black car driving very slowly. The driver was staring at my sign. There was no one behind him, so he wasn’t blocking traffic. Then, with a poker face, he drove off. 🤔 🚗 💨

I looked at the sign: it was the one calling for a boycott of Chinese and American products.

So I started wondering… What if he was a Chinese diplomat?

Later, he passed by again, heading the other way. Same poker face. Still didn’t look at me. 🕵️‍♂️ 🇨🇳 👀

Restaurant owner(s)

A driver stopped next to me at a red light. He rolled down the window and said, “We were just talking about the disasters Trump is causing all over the world!”

When he saw my action, he immediately supported it. I smiled and said, “Well, someone has to act to save democracy — even in the USA!” 🇺🇸 🔥 💬

Then he told me that international staff don’t go out or eat in restaurants as they used to. “It’s a big problem for business,” he said. I replied that people are afraid of losing their jobs and are saving money just in case… (Several international organizations have had their budgets cut — or even removed — by the U.S.) 💼 🍽️ 💰

Police

Yes, them again! This time they said they had already heard about me. I replied that it made sense — I’d already been checked three times, and this would be the fourth if they asked for my ID! They admitted it, a bit awkwardly, and said they did want to see it.

All went well. They were polite, we even laughed a little. At the end, I asked them for the time: 9:03. “Time to go!” I said. I shook their hands and added: “I don’t want people to think I’m leaving because of you. It has to look normal.” 🤝 👮 ⏳

As I walked toward bus 20, I kept holding up my signs until it arrived… and it kept me waiting! 🚌 ⌛

Geneva’s Cornavin Station

Whenever I move around — in the streets or at the station — I always carry a sign discreetly turned downward. 📜 🚶‍♂️ 👀

Once I get there, in the little spot I mentioned yesterday, I stay for the 20 minutes allowed. Nothing changed compared to the day before. 🚉

Free food for the elderly

When I arrived at Le Bouchet, I noticed a refrigerated truck and several people busy unloading food supplies. Then I saw the man who had signed me up for the evening food distribution. I greeted him and asked if I could help. He said yes. 🚛 🥦 🍞

This time, it was unsold food from supermarkets that was being given out to elderly people, with priority given to those who have a medical certificate.

And here I am, surrounded by kind-hearted people who give their time to help others.

In general, they are all altruistic, generous, dedicated, helpful, and committed. They are the ones who should be shown as examples to the millionaires and billionaires of the world — to teach them what Humanity should really be about. 💖 🌍 🙌

Tuesday 1st April: Cold and wind, Cornavin Station, Cinema ❄️🌬️🚌

Because of my fast, I was advised not to use my bike from the third day on. So this morning, I took the bus.

Freezing cold, with a north wind blowing 🥶🧤

Cold is one thing, but wind makes it much harder. As you can imagine, it’s nearly impossible to keep the signs visible when it blows. Today, it was just bearable, but even with my gloves, my fingers were freezing, and my body started to get really cold—despite wearing four layers (a T-shirt, a long-sleeved shirt, a sweater, and my true-democracy.info T-shirt on top). I finally left ten minutes before 9 a.m. I thought it was better not to protest in such conditions.

But just before writing these lines, I realized the opposite: my presence is essential. I must be there. Several people expect to see me, and my regular presence may be even more important than the messages on my signs. I feel like my persistence is a powerful symbol, just like the signs I hold. 💪🔥🎯

So, here’s my solution: I’ll look for a beautiful Peace & Love image ☮ and print it in large format on laminated A5 sheets. That way, I can still have a presence, even in harsh conditions, and it will show that censorship didn’t win. As I said before, I’ll only be absent when I’m giving talks or interviews far from Geneva. 🚂 🗼 🚀 🗽 🌉 ⛩ 🎌💕

Cornavin Train Station in Geneva 🚉🚶‍♂️📄

In Zurich and Geneva, there’s an experimental project: a small space where you can inform travelers in silence. If someone shows interest, you can start a conversation and even hand out an info sheet. A great idea!

Unfortunately, in the morning, people are in a rush. They’re either running or fully focused on catching their train or bus. I guess evenings would be a better time to raise awareness. At that time of day, people are not so pressed for time, and transport runs regularly. ⏳🚊🌇

Cinema to improve our vision of the world... 🎬🗣️🌍

Wisdom of Happiness – A Heart-To-Heart with the Dalai Lama,,
is a Swiss documentary that I’ll be watching again this afternoon with the main monk from the International Buddhist Center of Geneva (CBI). I had already seen it once, and it left a deep impression on me.
The film shows how deeply one can be at PEACE with the entire world…
That’s my vision too — with a few exceptions!😱🌏✨

One moment in the film struck me in particular: according to the Dalai Lama, if women were leading the world, peace would naturally prevail. 👍
I completely agree! For a long time now, I’ve been imagining a scenario where the UN would require that 75% of all governments
and public administrations around the world be made up of women. From that point on, year after year, the world would improve,
and PEACE would no longer be a dream — but something real and tangible.
(If you’d like to know more, let me know!)

That’s also what I’m trying to do, in my own way — by improving democracies.
This would bring RESPECT, then build TRUST in institutions, and finally lead to PEACE among the peoples of the world.

A better democracy (true-democracy.info), should bring PEACE to the world —
if not through women in power, then maybe through this path.✊📢💕💙

Monday 31 March: ICRC "security officer", Groups of passers-by, Police

Just after I arrived on the traffic island, a passerby gave me a thumbs-down sign! A few minutes later, a driver gave me a thumbs-up. Several other signs and thank-yous followed, as usual.

ICRC Security Guard

A man came up to me on the island and said he was from the International Committee of the Red Cross security team. He asked me to show him my ID. After a short discussion about why he was asking, I ended up telling him that I didn’t know who he really was and asked him to show me a card. He replied, “No problem, I’ll show you right now.” While continuing to speak, he opened one side of his jacket, then the other, and reached into his inside pocket. Since we were talking, I didn’t realize right away that in fact, he hadn’t shown me anything. The only thing I clearly remember is that he wasn’t carrying a weapon!

He insisted, “You don’t want to show me your ID?” Feeling a bit stressed and hesitating, I told him no. He then said he would call the police. I replied, “Go ahead. I have their (verbal) permission anyway.” He said that wasn’t true and that the police would take me to the station. Worried but hoping he was bluffing, I told him that if I got arrested, I would go on a silent and movement strike. He coldly said, “Do what you want…”

Then he took out his phone, walked away, crossed the street toward the ICRC, and climbed the ramp to their building.

I won’t share some details for safety reasons, because if I did, the next person trying a similar tactic might avoid making the same mistakes. I quickly suspected this man wasn’t who he claimed to be. Was he sent by the US mission? Mystery…

In any case, I decided to leave the central island and returned to my usual spot at the crossroads.

Few Cars

That was strange. Twice, I asked cyclists if there was a holiday at the UN. They didn’t know, but both were heading to work. One of them worked in a daycare center.

Several Groups: Teenagers, Adults, Youth

Teenagers

I was happy to see them arriving and turned toward them to show my signs. I greeted them with enthusiasm. But soon, the adult accompanying them stepped back and positioned himself to keep the teens from getting close to me. So, with a smile, I said: “Don’t worry, I don’t have Covid and I support democracy!” They laughed at this funny situation.

Adults

Another group of adults arrived. I greeted them with the same energy, and this time everything went very well, with smiles and warm exchanges.

Youth

A third group came from the other direction. Some girls, clearly in a joyful mood, raised their arms and started dancing spontaneously. Their vibrant energy made me smile — I watched them silently while holding my signs.

A Man Asked Me for Directions

A passerby asked where the UN entrance was. I explained, but a bit later he came back saying it was closed. That’s when I realized there really was a public holiday. Once I got home, I checked: it was Eid al-Fitr.

Police (Again!)

I had set a timer, but when I looked at it, it was already at zero — I hadn’t even heard it. So I decided to pack up and leave.

On Avenue Appia, near the ILO, a police car stopped beside me. “Again!” I thought. Yep, third identity check. The officers told me they had received a call about a protester in front of the Russian mission. I said no, I was at the crossroads. Fortunately, they were polite — and that’s what matters.

I told them about the supposed ICRC agent, and they confirmed that I had done the right thing, because only the police are authorized to apply for an identity card in the public domain.

I’ve now added all UN holidays to my calendar.

Take care!

Friday, March 28: No police, testimonies, olfactory temptations and fasting

This morning, I left my bike in Grand-Saconnex so I could walk down Avenue de Ferney with two signs at once. But… the walk was longer than expected. Luckily, I caught a bus on the way that dropped me off right next to the Russian mission—just in time for 8 a.m.

Police

Today, they stayed low-key. Honestly, I didn’t mind that at all. 😊

Encounters

An American deep in debate

She told me she had a heated discussion the day before with a Trump-supporting colleague about my presence here. It got tense. I asked, surprised: “Really? There are Trump supporters in international organizations?” She smiled: “A lot of them.”

Just like in the U.S., some Trump voters who lost their jobs are starting to realize they’ve been tricked.

Now, I don’t disagree with everything he says—but the way those ideas are carried out… that’s where I stand completely against.

A language challenge

A woman stopped at the bike crossing, focused on reading my signs. I spoke to her about one of the messages, but she said her English wasn’t good. So I switched to French. Then, hearing her Spanish accent, I continued in Spanish. She smiled, amused—I’d found her native tongue.

A man and the boycott 🚶‍♂️🪧🌀

A man was crossing the street while reading my signs, clearly drawn in by the messages. On the other side, heading toward the UN, he suddenly turned around and called out with a playful smile: “But if we boycott Chinese products, we won’t be able to buy anything!” 😄🇨🇳🤷

He wasn’t completely wrong. Most cheap gadgets we see everywhere are made in China. So instead of boycotting everything, maybe we could start by buying fewer of those impulse items—things we don’t really need and that just end up in a drawer or the trash. Let’s be honest: we rarely need them. Ads, catalogs, and clever algorithms trick our brains into thinking we do. 🛒🧠📦

So how can we resist impulsive shopping? 🤔🛑💸

Here’s my tip: as soon as a catalog arrives—straight to recycling! If it has your name, call the company and ask to be removed from their list. It’s simple, eco-friendly, and saves money. Also, avoid browsing online shopping sites unless you really need something.

After a while, you’ll stop being tempted, your savings will grow, and your closet will finally breathe. 💰📉🧺

I remember a woman telling me she once bought a dress on impulse. She proudly placed it in her closet—but months later, she found it again, with the tag still on… and no desire to wear it. That small shock made her realize the truth about impulsive buying. 👗🕰️🫢

The takeaway: boycott or not, our power lies in our daily choices. 🧭💪🌱

Fasting and tempting smells

This week, I’m preparing for a week-long fast starting tonight. I already tried cutting certain foods… not too successfully! (First day: no meat, fish, or eggs. Easy—I’m vegetarian! 😜)

The real challenge? The amazing smells from the Geneva Hotel School kitchens nearby. It’s torture! So from Monday, I’ll move to a small traffic island about 30 meters away. That’s where a journalist first approached me. It’s also where a policeman once told me to stop protesting or move off the Place des Nations entirely.

The good side: cars go by on both sides, so my signs are more visible to people heading toward the Place. The downside? No one walks through that island. I’ll be separated from pedestrians by a constant stream of traffic. Spontaneous exchanges will be rare.

First info session and fasting launch

Here are the key points of my “Democracy in Action” campaign near the UN, during the fast:

  • After 2 or 3 days, no more bike to save energy.
  • Avoid the delicious smells near the kitchen!
  • Don’t stand for too long—bring a folding stool.
  • Always carry water. (I’ll use a glass bottle with tap water to avoid plastic bottles.)
  • If I feel unwell, sit down right away. If it continues, I may have to stop the protest or end the fast.
  • No e-scooter—use the bus instead.

Above all, my top priority is to stand up for American democracy and for all democracies, no matter what. We must all have that mindset. We cannot allow ourselves to leave our children a world run by dictators and torturers.

In the past century, democracies grew worldwide, thanks to the UN Charter declaring them a universal principle for a better world.

Now it’s time to take them further—by building a Real Citizen Democracy, made by citizens, for citizens, and supporting businesses too.

This is exactly what the site you’re reading is all about. 💕

Have a great weekend, everyone… and let’s keep going. More to come!

Thursday, March 27: Police, testimonies​

(Spontaneously, a young woman offers me her gloves)

Last night, I made up for the missing days of my blog. I finished around 3 a.m. and went to bed at 4 a.m., only to have to get up around 6:30 a.m. In short, I told myself that I was probably going to be arrested and that I could catch up on my late sleep. A way like any other to reduce stress and anxiety… and it worked.

I took my bike and, as I didn’t want to leave it near the UN for fear that it would be stolen from me in case of arrest, I left it at the Budé farm. This is where I do my food shopping. The staff is young, motivated and pays farmers a fair price, unlike supermarkets. I strongly advise you to go there: https://www.ferme-de-bude.ch/

From the farm, I continued on foot. When I arrived on the road to Ferney, I brandished one of my posters while walking. When I arrived at my crossroads, I searched the shrubs and trees, hoping to find my bag stolen the day before out of sheer malice. Of course not.

I had planned two blank sheets of paper to show to motorists in case of police presence, to demonstrate that you could be arrested simply by brandishing white paper, as in Russia and China. But as no policeman was in sight, I immediately took out my posters.

The police

Soon enough, a police car idled past me. That, I admit, always puts a little bit of pressure. I pretended not to see her, while watching her out of the corner of my eye. She continued until the entrance of the UN… and disappeared.

A few moments later, another patrol arrives in front of me and stops in front of me. Taken aback, I slipped my posters into my bag and took out my blank sheets. This time, there was only one policeman. He introduced himself and explained to me that they were receiving calls every five minutes reporting “a masked man”. It was me. He informed me that since January 1, 2025, it was forbidden to wear a mask on the public highway. I explained to him that it was to avoid facial recognition by surveillance cameras. But hey, it was okay, like the ones from the previous Friday, so I didn’t insist. He confirmed that I had every right to demonstrate as long as my lyrics did not incite violence. Which is the case. Anyway, I explained everything to him, as I had already done twice before. Since he was the head of the sector, no other police officer should put pressure on me or threaten me. Normally, everything should be running from now on.

Discussions with passers-by

A former USAid employee

A man came to thank me for my action. He explained to me that he had worked for USAid and was touched that a Swiss man was mobilizing for American democracy. He asked for permission to photograph myself from several angles. I forgot to put my mask back on. Who knows, if these photos go viral in the United States, Trump might take a dim view of it!

A woman on the sidewalk across the street

She waved at me, pointing to her phone. I got into position so that she could take the picture. In the absence of journalists, social networks may help to publicize my action.

A blonde woman and her child

She stopped in front of me, beaming, and thanked me several times, visibly enthusiastic. She told me that more and more people, especially in international organizations, are talking about my work, wondering if I’m still here and debating my messages. That’s precisely why I often vary my posters: to feed these discussions and maintain interest.

A pedestrian who tells me of the collapse…

His conclusion was chilling. He told me,
“We lived through the demise of the USSR, and now we are going to see the collapse of America.”

He threw this at me while crossing the pedestrian crossing, without even stopping. No time to exchange, but his message was clear.

This is precisely why I am demonstrating wherever the officials of the American mission go: so that they become aware of the urgency. But above all, so that the American people wake up and act every day by going shopping, going to work, in short before it is too late. We must not wait for the irreversible…

A shy man on a bike

He asked me why I hadn’t come the day before. I explained to him that I was on another island and that the police had made me leave. His expression tensed. “Why?” I told him that maybe one of the policemen had a penchant for the far right.

A young woman on a bicycle and her gloves

The cold was biting. I told him that his gloves were a good idea, because my hands were frozen. Without hesitation, she took them out and gave them to me. I was overwhelmed by this gesture of pure kindness. “I’ll give them back to you tomorrow.” She smiled: “No worries!” and continued on her way.
To tell the truth, every morning it’s freezing cold and I don’t wear a jacket, because people need to be able to see my true-democracy.info T-shirt.

A construction worker

As I was coming home holding up my posters, a worker called out to me: “You’re right, between Putin and Trump, things can really go wrong.” I replied: “And let’s not forget Xi Jinping!” He nodded gravely: “Yes, between the three of them, we risk the apocalypse.” “Exactly, and that’s why we have to move to defend democracies.”

That’s all for today! When I got home, I polished the beginning of the blog by adding the objectives of this global campaign.

Wednesday, March 26: Journalist, police, interview with the journalist, call for newspapers​

Matin

I arrived on an electric kick scooter, because on Tuesday, using the mask and glasses, I was completely foggy. I thought it was due to shortness of breath, but no, today it was the same thing. In short, I still have to try with ski goggles!

The arrival of a journalist

Shortly after I arrived, someone came up to me. The day before, he had seen one of my signs that said there had been 80 years of soft power, and that in just one month, Trump destroyed it all! He thought the message was striking and full of meaning. What also impressed him was the fact that I was alone. He wondered who I was.

Since he works on digitizing media archives for Swiss Radio and Television (RTS), he remembered that several unknown individuals had already acted alone in public, trying to make a difference. He mentioned a South Korean man who had come to Geneva to protest in front of the WTO for some time.

He took pictures of me from the front and back with my signs, which I laminated this morning. Now, people can read two different messages at the same time, depending on where they stand.

His goal was to get an interview. I suggested doing it as soon as possible, even right away. He offered me a meeting at RTS at 2 p.m. He gave me his business card before leaving. I was thrilled at the idea of finally talking to a journalist about my project.

Arrival of police

On Monday and Tuesday, even though dozens of police cars passed by, there had been no problem. It made sense—they had already checked me on Friday.

But this morning, just ten minutes after the journalist left, a patrol showed up. Like on Friday, they asked for my ID, which I didn’t have. I showed them my driver’s license, and that was enough for them.

The mood was very different from Friday’s officers. These ones—especially one of them—were much more aggressive. It was clear he didn’t like my presence or my pro-democracy, anti-Trump messages. (Was he from the far right?) I got the feeling he held political beliefs opposite to mine. He walked away, and I heard him say, “He has no business being here.” A little later, he came back and ordered me to leave, saying I was no longer allowed to stay there.

He suggested I go to the Place des Nations. I told him that spot doesn’t let me reach the officials coming from France on their way to the U.S. Mission and the UN. I told him I would return here every morning.

Threats from the police officer

He then warned me that if I came back, I would get into trouble. I’d receive fines, and if that wasn’t enough, I’d be arrested. I replied, “But you’re acting exactly like the Russian police! Over there, people get arrested even for holding a blank sheet of paper!” He just answered that here, there were actual messages…

Since I had an important meeting at 2 p.m., I didn’t insist and began to leave, telling him I would not accept being arrested, as it would be a form of censorship.

No one seems worried about the loss of democracies in Europe. And yet, we all need to stand up to defend them!

Not wanting to be stripped of my right to free speech, I asked the officer to write in his report that if I were arrested, once in the police car, I would go on a movement and speech strike (except to ask to use the bathroom), until I was released with no conditions and without signing anything. He just said they were strong enough to carry me without a problem.

Then he added something that really shocked me. He said they would call an ambulance—and that I’d have to pay for it. I told him I wouldn’t pay anything. “You’re the one calling the ambulance, so you pay.” That was the end of the conversation.

Thoughts: why did he mention an ambulance?

Later, the whole ambulance story was still on my mind. I would have liked to ask him if they were planning to beat me up—that would explain the need for an ambulance to take me to the hospital!

It’s true that in Libya, prisoners were tortured so badly that they ended up being sent to NGOs like Doctors Without Borders (MSF). After receiving care, the torture would start again—until MSF refused to send them back or threatened to leave Libya altogether.

In Kherson, it wasn’t an ambulance waiting at the back door of the prison, but a hearse—there to collect the bodies of Ukrainians who had died under torture by the Russian Orcs. (Orcs are evil creatures from “The Lord of the Rings.”)

Next days: what happens if I have to leave?

Since I’m supposed to stay until 9 a.m., I’ll wait there.

If a photographer shows up, I’ll take the signs out again.

If the police intervene, they’ll be able to capture the scene.

My attitude towards police

Under no circumstances will I be aggressive. I intend to keep control of the situation by staying calm. I will argue my case, but nothing more. My silence will begin inside the police car, and to make me leave, they will have to carry me…

Afternoon

Meeting with the editor of Fonsart.ch

At 2:00 p.m., I was excited. The journalist invited me for a coffee, but I’ve never drunk coffee, except once in Hungary, near the Ukrainian border. A good hot chocolate did the trick.

A multitude of questions, just as many answers. From scratch. 😃

We quickly touched on the subject of the police’s behavior. I asked him if someone could come and take pictures in case I got arrested. For him, it wasn’t possible, but he said he would see if he could find someone.

He advised me to contact Geneva newspapers.

Attempted appeal to the Geneva media

  • GHI: No journalist, just a receptionist suggesting I send an email… but they never reply.
  • Tribune de Genève: Same conclusion.
  • Le Courrier: Nothing concrete. Their photographer is sick, but they gave me the contact of an independent photographer.
  • By email: Sent to the three media outlets above, plus others from French-speaking Switzerland and France. (See general Press Release.)

Contact with a photographer

He is not in Geneva and cannot request a colleague, as this would involve payment. Too bad, but he would have accepted if he had been available!?!

Luna Park 🎡

A positive note after all! After this crazy race 🏃‍♂️, there’s the Luna Park 🎢 open until April 13 at Plainpalais, Geneva. So go and enjoy a magical moment! ☮️

And tomorrow, let’s cross our fingers and hope everything goes well…

Tuesday 25 March: Finger of honor!

This time, I went by scooter. So, no shortness of breath, and with a mask and sunglasses… but full of fog!

Everything went well, except for one middle finger from a passenger in a car. Well, maybe a pro-dictatorship or a pro-Trump supporter?

For people who admire Russia: before the war against Europe—and still today—Russia offers land and money to anyone disposed to move there. Strangely enough, people are not rushing to Russia… but rather to Europe and the USA!

Monday, March 24: Ok

On Friday, I had forgotten my mask. Today, I forgot my sunglasses. Hopefully tomorrow I will have both, to avoid the excessive curiosity of the many cameras in this International Zone.

The reception was also very positive, and nothing special to report.

Sunday 23 March at the Salon du Livre in Geneva: Surprise, Contact with journalists? , Anti and Pro-Democracy, Pro-Trump

First surprise when arriving at the ticket counters of the book fair: admission was free, sponsored by the Canton of Geneva. Great news! I hope young people took the opportunity to discover or rediscover the pleasure of reading a good book.

As almost everywhere, the few people who noticed my t-shirt or spoke with me were overall very positive.

How to get in touch with journalists?

I knew it wasn’t the ideal place to ask such a question, but you never know… Maybe someone would have a lead? Well… not really.

An anti-democracy?

At a stand, just as I was asking my question, a man noticed my t-shirt and immediately started telling me he didn’t believe in democracy, etc. I replied that I had already met many people like him — convinced that we’ve never truly known real democracy. In fact, one of my very first FAQ posts addresses this issue. So, I invited him to go have a look.

His colleague quickly cut him off, affirming that she strongly believes in democracy and that it must be defended at all costs.

Finally, the man did answer my question: according to him, the best way is to go directly to newspaper offices and speak to someone in person. Why not?

Actually, I had already applied this method on Wednesday afternoon, March 26. I was risking an arrest the next day, so I rushed to alert the press. No apparent willingness to act. Only: “send an email.” Which I did, to all the Romandie media outlets. The next day… not a single journalist showed up.

A pro-Trump supporter

She was amazing… and intelligent. I really enjoyed talking with her. Her arguments were calm, clear, without any hostility or aggression — quite the opposite of most Trump supporters or far-right sympathizers.

It was almost destabilizing… but genuinely interesting.

In the end, she gave me her phone number. Not knowing where to write it, I noted it on the back of one of my true-democracy.info cards and slipped it into my pocket… I must have given it to someone else later, because it’s gone now. (If you happen to read this post: please send me your phone number again by email, thank you!)

As she left, I told her that if I had the means, and if she understood and supported the spirit of my project, she would be perfect to give conferences or help lead them.

Friday 21 March 2025: 1st day, first time ever... and already the Police

The very first time, the very very first time…
Everything started with Trump’s destructive attitude.
This attitude pushed me to want to save democracies by standing up to him.

To start the day, I have to go back to the evening before, going to bed early so I could get up around 6 a.m. and calmly head to 12, avenue de la Paix. But to avoid being woken by notifications, I had put my phone on silent!

The next morning, I was awake and, waiting for the timer or the calendar alarm, I stayed relaxing in bed, letting my mind wander over my first day in front of the UN. Suddenly, I thought: “It’s really bright outside!” I decided to get up, thinking it was a good time for breakfast. (In Switzerland, “déjeuner” means breakfast, “dîner” is lunch, and “souper” is dinner.)

As I got up, I saw my clock said 6:50! Incredible! I had planned to leave by 6:30… Not a great start. I got dressed quickly, grabbed my things, and left… forgetting my mask! No time for bus or electric kick scooter, I decided to go by bike, thinking it would be faster.

Near the UN, I asked someone waiting for the bus:
— Excuse me, what time is it?
He replied:
— 7:23.
Relieved, I thought I would make it on time, since it was downhill from there.

At the crossroads at 12, avenue de la Paix, I saw there were no journalists. So I started showing my posters to the cars passing by.

Police

Just ten minutes later, a police car stopped near the Russian mission. Two officers came out and came by foot to me to ask my ID. I was worried about a possible intervention from US, Russian, or UN security services, but it turned out to be Geneva’s diplomatic police. Fortunately, they were very friendly. While one checked my ID, the other chatted with me courteously to understand who I was.

During the conversation, I asked:
— How many people can demonstrate without needing a permit?
— Five maximum, he replied.
— Well, with you two, that makes three of us, so we’re good! I said with a smile.
He smiled too, and finally, the other officer came back saying everything was fine, only asking me to stay away from the Russian and American missions. Then they left.

Passersby and drivers

Aside from the police encounter, the reactions from passersby and drivers were positive, even very positive. No negative remarks or rude gestures. Several people had brief chats with me, some took photos, even some Chinese tourists who understood the messages and captured the moment.

At one point, while I was holding up the sign “Is Trump a Russian agent?”, a passerby shouted:
— YES!

I noticed that 7:30 a.m. is too early to meet the officials. They mostly arrive between 8:30 and 9:30, even 10:00. (Apart from the ICRC staff, who come to work even before 7.30 a.m.)

In short, apart from the fact that no journalists showed up, everything went very well and I was happy about it.

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