Protesters Across the Nation Stand Up for Democracy

Protesters gathered in cities and towns across the United States to express their discontent with the current administration. The focus was on what they see as threats to the nation's democratic principles. The events varied widely. Some took the form of marches, like the one through midtown Manhattan. Others were rallies, such as the one in front of the White House. There was even a demonstration at a Massachusetts event marking the start of the American Revolutionary War 250 years ago. In San Francisco, protesters created a human banner on the beach that read "Impeach & Remove. " One protester, Thomas Bassford, joined the reenactment of the Battles of Lexington and Concord outside of Boston. He brought his family, including his grandsons, to teach them about the country's origins and the importance of fighting for freedom. Bassford believes that Americans today are facing attacks from their own government and need to stand up against it. Protests also took place outside Tesla car dealerships. These were aimed at billionaire Elon Musk, who is a Trump adviser. His role in downsizing the federal government was a key issue. Other events focused on community service, like food drives and volunteering at local shelters. These protests followed similar nationwide events just two weeks prior. Organizers are protesting what they call civil rights violations and constitutional violations. This includes efforts to deport immigrants and scale back the federal government by firing thousands of workers and shutting down entire agencies. Some events drew inspiration from the American Revolutionary War, calling for resistance to tyranny. In Concord, Massachusetts, George Bryant held up a sign saying, "Trump fascist regime must go now! " He is concerned about the creation of a "police state" in America. Bryant believes that the current administration is defying the courts and eviscerating the checks and balances. In Washington, Bob Fasick attended a rally by the White House. He is concerned about threats to due process rights, as well as Social Security and other federal safety-net programs. The Trump administration has moved to shut down Social Security Administration field offices, cut funding for government health programs, and scale back protections for transgender people. In Manhattan, protesters marched from the New York Public Library to Central Park, past Trump Tower. They chanted, "No fear, no hate, no ICE in our state, " referring to the U. S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Marshall Green was among the protesters. He is most concerned about the invocation of the wartime Alien Enemies Act of 1798. This act allows for the deportation of people without due process. Melinda Charles, from Connecticut, worried about the administration's "executive overreach. " She cited clashes with the federal courts and elite colleges like Harvard University. She believes that the executive branch has become too strong, undermining the balance of power among the three branches of government.