These opinions belong to my three personalities and are not affiliated with any of the outlets I write for.
If you’re in New Jersey, please remember to Vote Blue and elect Mikie Sherrill for governor to keep Jersey blue and retain the rights this country was built on. We stand on the precipice of the United States becoming an autocracy. And as our First Amendment rights continue to dissipate, it’s clear that we’re already well on our way. This country was born on the rights of free speech and freedom of religion — remember, that’s why our forefathers fought to create a new government.
No Kings was the foundation of America’s founding, which means that one person in power should not be holding states and organizations hostage with threats and withholding funds to suppress free speech and a free election.
We’re beyond party at this point. Frankly, I’m disappointed in both parties for what little is being done to stop the current dismantling of our country’s Constitution by bowing down to a leader who thinks only of himself and his quest for total control.
The leader of this country is declaring anti-fascism a terrorist organization despite its core belief that the United States should remain a democracy. If you’re anti-anti-fascism, that means you’re for fascism, which is a direct assault on the freedoms the US promises.
I was harassed by a MAGA zealot at the #NoKings protest in Toms River. Hiding behind a mask, he touched me, got in my face, and claimed that *we* were the ones who believe in fascism. I asked him to define fascism. He couldn’t.
So let me do it for him: fascism is a political agenda that hinges on authoritarian rule through suppression and militarism. In short? It’s what the current administration is doing by declaring war on free speech and any entities that stand up against this tyranny.
If you can’t even define fascism, you have no business calling the people who reject fascism fascists. Yet I believe in free speech even if you’re an uninformed coward in a mask who pulled a knife on one of the No Kings protestors while touching and attempting to intimidate us.
So you have every right to vote the way you see fit and counterprotest (you do not have the right to touch me repeatedly). But that’s the difference, isn’t it? It all comes down to protecting the Constitution, and anyone who supports this administration is supporting the fall of democracy.
Today’s the day, New Jersey. If you want to keep our hard-won rights, it’s vital to vote. Even if you think your area doesn’t matter because it always sways blue, we can’t afford to take that chance. It takes a village, so be a part of that village.
At the Toms River No Kings protest on October 18, 2025, I was able to do an off-the-cuff interview with Freshta Taeb, who discussed why we need to keep New Jersey blue. She also spoke about her platform and how civilians can fight against the current administration’s attempts to dismantle the checks and balances that make this country great — because you can’t make a country ‘great again’ by defying the very foundation it was built upon.
Freshta Taeb: Hi, everybody. My name is Freshta Taeb. I’m running for New Jersey State Assembly in Legislative District Number 12. Our platform [centers] on many things. The first is education. We are running for New Jersey affordability. We want folks to be able to buy homes. We want the youth to be able to rent and afford their rent. We want the veterans to have the rights that they deserve. They should be honored. We want to stop overdevelopment in this district so that we can enjoy the land’s preservation.
Xandra Harbet: And what was the moment [when] you said, ‘I need to run, I need to get involved in politics?’
Before the Inauguration, this election, I was working at Fort Dix — right in our backyard. And Fort Dix at that time was a safe haven. It was being used to resettle folks, our allies from overseas, [who] had been standing with us shoulder to shoulder.
And essentially, what happened was I was appointed as a government official. And in that rank, I was able to see how much change [can] happen when you have a seat at the table. So when I knew, or I had an inkling, that the current administration would be the way that it [is], we knew that if any time was the time, this [was] the time.
What are some of the things that have been happening recently that just really fire you up?
Our First Amendment rights. They’re being threatened. Our ancestors came to this country to be free. Our ancestors came to this country to follow the Constitution, which gives us First Amendment rights to be able to say what we want to say [and] express ourselves. And all of these rights that we are granted in this country are being taken away from us, little by little, day by day, and we need to stop it.
As a journalist, obviously, that [gets] me fired up because they’re threatening my ability to do my job, and I’m primarily a queer rights reporter. So what are your thoughts on that component of democracy?
Absolutely. Every single person, regardless of religion, race, creed, [or] sexual orientation, should be included, should be given rights, should be respected. And if they’re not, then we’re going against the foundation and our forefathers of this country.
What are some small things that people can do today that can help [combat] what’s happening [in] our country right now?
Sure. Now is the time to stand up. Not everybody has to be an elected official. You can write letters to your local assembly, congress, [and] state senate. You can do that. You can come to protests like today. You can definitely be part of educating others. You can coach, you can organize. I think the number one thing that we’ve learned is grassroots mobilization. Each and every person has a talent that they can use and highlight. And that will further our cause and help us to get to work.
What do you think are some immediate actions that need to be taken right now to stop this progression?
Immediately, the first thing we need to do is have folks reread that constitution and remind ourselves of the Bill of Rights and the amendments that are in that constitution. And not to be afraid to seek legal counsel. We have three branches of this government. We have checks and balances. Don’t ever forget that.
Don’t live in fear. I think the number one thing that’s happening right now is there’s a culture of fearmongering. And we will not stand for that. Know your rights, educate yourself so that you know what you’re able to do regardless of all the traffic and the noise that’s happening in the current administration.
And I think regardless of what side of the aisle you’re on right now, it doesn’t matter. We need to do something. So what is your advice to people who may not agree with everything politically that we might, but [who] need to do something so our country doesn’t become an autocracy?
Absolutely. So, regardless of what party you’re part of, ask yourself this question first. Ask yourself, does it matter what lines you’re on when it comes to education? Does it matter what party you’re in when it comes to affordability and the food that you put on your table? Does it matter what side you’re on when it comes to affordability and the food you put on your table? Does it matter what side you’re on when it comes to affording your rent or being able to buy a home, or paying off student debt, or having factories and buildings being built that are emitting God knows what, and your children are living there, and cancer rates are rising?
These are all nonpartisan issues. These are human issues. We shouldn’t be going in the streets and abducting individuals. That’s what’s happening right now. Our spaces are covered. They’re walking in the streets, and they’re grabbing people and they’re kidnapping them. That’s not what this country was built on. This was a melting pot of the world, so we need to do that.
And where do you think New Jersey stands, and how can we move this narrative forward and survive the next three years?
So we’re in a very dangerous crossroads, New Jersey. We have to make a very big decision very soon, in about 18 days [which is today, November 4, 2025]. If you folks think that re-electing the same, from what’s going on right now, if you think that Jack [Ciattarelli] is going to make things better, it’s going to make things much worse. We’re going to be walking down the same line with the current administration. We need to save New Jersey. We need to keep it blue. We need to keep it where it’s for the people by the people.
Is there anything else you wanted to add?
Yes, please visit our website at https://www.taebforassembly.com/. We are looking for food bankers, canvassers, [and] donations. We really want this last leg of the race. We want to push hard, make the right decision, but regardless of what you do, go out and vote.
This interview was edited for clarity. The full video can be found on my TikTok: @XandraHarbet
Xandra Harbet 
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