Bay Area Activists Host Weekly 'Overpass Dance Party' Calling for Peace in Politics

The lighthearted gatherings on a Berkeley pedestrian bridge aim to promote nonviolence and community unity amid divisive national debates.

Published on Mar. 2, 2026

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A group of Bay Area activists have been turning a busy Berkeley overpass into a weekly 'dance party' to call for peace and unity in politics. The gatherings, which feature community members waving signs and dancing as passing drivers honk in support, are described as a lighthearted response to what organizers perceive as growing hostility and division in national politics.

Why it matters

The 'overpass visibility dance parties' represent a grassroots effort to promote nonviolence and community engagement during a time of heightened political tensions. By taking a creative and upbeat approach, the organizers hope to cut through the intensity of divisive political debates and encourage more 'nice people' to get involved.

The details

The weekly events, dubbed 'NICE' (which stands for 'now it counts everyone'), take place on a pedestrian bridge above a freeway in Berkeley. Participants wave signs and dance as passing drivers honk in support. Organizer Jennifer Quinn says the gatherings began as a Halloween costume joke but have since grown into a community movement focused on protecting democracy and bringing people together.

  • The first 'NICE' event was held on Halloween 2025.
  • The gatherings have continued on a weekly basis since then.

The players

Jennifer Quinn

An activist who started the 'NICE' events as a way to promote nonviolence and community unity in response to growing political divisions.

Sarah Donaldson

An activist attending the 'NICE' gatherings who emphasizes the importance of maintaining a peaceful approach.

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What they’re saying

“Every honk is somebody saying, 'Yes, we agree.' We are here to protect our democracy and our community, and this is just a really fun way to do that.”

— Jennifer Quinn, Activist (cbsnews.com)

“We got to be peaceful all the time. No violence.”

— Sarah Donaldson, Activist (cbsnews.com)

What’s next

The organizers plan to continue hosting the weekly 'NICE' events on the Berkeley overpass, with the goal of expanding the movement to other communities.

The takeaway

The 'NICE' overpass dance parties demonstrate how grassroots activists can use creative and lighthearted approaches to promote unity and nonviolence during times of political division. By bringing people together in a spirit of community, the organizers hope to set an example of how to engage in meaningful political discourse while maintaining a positive and inclusive atmosphere.