Hello Riverside, and Happy Friday! Tomorrow is Flag Day, we recognize the anniversary of the Flag Resolution of June 14, 1777. While we have created a complicated mythology and meaning around the flag, the proclamation was remarkably austere—just one sentence.
"Resolved, That the flag of the thirteen United States be thirteen stripes, alternate red and white; that the union be thirteen stars, white in a blue field, representing a new constellation."
No mention of symbolism or etiquette; that would all come with time.
Police Alert Downtown Businesses to Weekend Demonstrations
City Hall, Main Library among facilities closing early Friday in response.
Downtown business owners have been notified about two upcoming demonstrations scheduled for this weekend. In a letter from Police Chief Larry Gonzalez, the Riverside Police Department shared timing and location details to help local businesses prepare.
The first protest is expected to take place Friday, June 13, at noon, beginning at Orange Street and Mission Inn Avenue. The theme of this demonstration is "Protest Against ICE Raids."
The second event is scheduled for Saturday, June 14, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., on Market Street between Mission Inn and University avenues. This demonstration is part of a coordinated effort across multiple Southern California cities, with the theme "No Kings."
“We are preparing appropriate staffing and operational support to ensure the safety of all participants, residents and businesses, as well as to maintain public order,” Chief Gonzalez said. “We will continue to closely monitor these planned events and share any important updates as needed.”
In response to the demonstrations, several downtown city facilities will close early Friday at 11 a.m., including City Hall, Riverside Public Utilities' downtown customer service, and the Main Library.
The Main Library will also close early at 4:30 p.m. Saturday.
Businesses are encouraged to stay aware of possible impacts to traffic and pedestrian flow during these times.
Opinion: An Open Letter to Our Federal Representatives — Prioritize Local Needs
To all Congressional Representatives representing the Riverside region:
As constituents of your district and proud members of our community, we write to you with a shared concern and a heartfelt appeal: to ask that you champion policies and federal budgets that directly address the real needs of our district, rather than simply aligning with party lines or national agendas that overlook the unique challenges we face locally.
Too often, we witness political decisions driven more by partisan loyalty than by the lived experiences of the people you were elected to represent. Federal policies and budgetary priorities should reflect the voices of communities like ours-where infrastructure requires investment, public schools need support, housing is becoming increasingly out of reach, environmental concerns threaten our safety and well-being, local for profit and non-profit businesses seek sustainability, and healthcare access remains strained. These are not abstract policy issues; they are daily realities for your constituents.
UC Riverside Library Showcases Evolution of Cyberpunk Through Comics
The exhibit at UC Riverside’s Tomás Rivera Library explores how cyberpunk has evolved from a 1980s science fiction subgenre into a lens for examining modern technology and identity.
Detail of mural on wall near the exhibition. (Ken Crawford)
The University of California, Riverside's Eaton Collection is hosting "Neon in the Gutters: Cyberpunk Visions of the Future," an exhibit featuring comics and graphic novels that trace the cyberpunk genre's development. The display opened April 21 and will run through the academic year.
Driving the news: The exhibit highlights cyberpunk's journey from its 1980s origins to contemporary interpretations, showcasing how the genre has expanded its themes and visual aesthetics.
Notable items include early digital comics, Japanese manga, and recent works addressing modern issues like surveillance capitalism and digital identity.
Why it matters: Cyberpunk has significantly influenced popular culture, coining terms like "cyberspace" and exploring themes of corporate dominance and human-machine integration.
The genre now tackles a broader range of topics, including trans identity and Indigenous futurism.
The big picture: UC Riverside's Eaton Collection, one of the world's largest science fiction archives, has grown from 7,500 books in 1969 to over 300,000 items today.
What's next: The exhibit is open to the public Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., on the fourth floor of Tomás Rivera Library in Special Collections & University Archives.
Free visitor parking is available on Fridays after noon, with paid options on weekdays.
Meet this week’s featured furry friend from the Mary S. Roberts Pet Adoption Center. Dedicated to eliminating pet homelessness, the center provides compassionate care and facilitates adoptions for animals in need of loving homes. Find your new companion and help support their mission of humane care and responsible pet ownership.
If you’re looking for a dog who will make you smile every single day, Bluey might just be the one. He loves meeting people and can’t wait to play or go on a road trip with you—or even just a quick car ride or a walk around the block. Bluey is just under 1 year old and gets along great with dogs, cats and kids. Adopt Bluey today and start your summer off with the best adventure buddy around. Visit petsadoption.org for more information on Bluey and all adoptable pets.
Mary S. Roberts Pet Adoption Center participated in the statewide California Adopt-a-Pet Day on Saturday, and 60 pets were adopted—including some of the long-stay pets you’ve seen featured here who finally went home.
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