Operation Overpass Builds Momentum Across Pinellas County
On any given week in Clearwater, drivers along US-19 might glance up to see large, carefully held letters spelling out messages that feel both urgent and deeply human. What began as a small gathering has quietly grown into one of the region’s most consistent and visible acts of community-led protest.
Operation Overpass was founded in May 2025 by Susan Grymes. At that very first overpass protest, connections formed quickly—among them Cindy Rekort and Nicole Quinones. Over the course of a year, leadership expanded from four passionate women into an eight-person team, now working in coordination with Indivisible North Pinellas and Visibility Brigade. At its core, Operation Overpass is about visibility in every sense of the word. The group’s mission goes beyond any single issue, aiming to raise awareness of the challenges facing communities locally and globally, and to create an inclusive community where all feel safe and welcome to participate in our protests.
As the group has grown, so has its footprint. What once fit neatly along the railing now often spills down to the road below, where more supporters stand, wave, and sometimes gather to collect school supplies or mutual aid, all woven into the demonstration. Growth has come both gradually and all at once. From a “humble handful” of attendees in those early days, Operation Overpass has expanded its reach through social media and collaboration. Artists, advocacy groups, political candidates, and even out-of-state visitors have joined in the effort. Their No Kings demonstrations marked a turning point: nearly 1,000 people gathered in October for No Kings 2, followed by another 850 for No Kings 3.
Of course, the work is not without tension. Organizers describe occasional backlash, including visits from right-wing content creators attempting to provoke reactions. But those moments have been met with restraint and intention. “We did not engage in a way that supported their goals,” one organizer shared.
Looking ahead, the group’s vision is both practical and expansive. There’s a continued push to bring in younger voices, a shift already taking shape as more participants under 30 find their way to the overpass. There’s hope that similar groups will emerge across Pinellas, Pasco, and Hillsborough counties, with Operation Overpass even offering its previous set of large letters to help others get started.
Perhaps what defines Operation Overpass most isn’t its growth or even its visibility. It’s the quieter impact: the passing driver who feels seen, the first-time protester who realizes they’re not alone, the small but steady building of connection in a divided time. For those who return to the overpass each week, the goal isn’t to change minds overnight. It’s to create something more lasting—a reminder that collective action still exists, that community can still be built in public, and that even in uncertainty, there is power in simply showing up.
