Town Residents Pack Common to Protest Trump

Over 150 protesters filled the town common last Tuesday afternoon in opposition to the Trump administration ahead of the president’s address to Congress that evening.

Organized by The League of Women Voters of Massachusetts in Amherst, a nonpartisan, grassroots organization, the “Light for Our Democracy” demonstration took place alongside protests in Boston, Worcester, and Falmouth coordinated by other chapters of the organization. These protests also come amid countless other anti-Trump protests across the country.

Holding signs, Ukrainian flags, and pride flags, attendees — which included Western Massachusetts families and residents, Five College students, local educators, and State Representative Mindy Domb — chanted, “Hey, hey, ho, ho, this dictatorship has got to go,” as cars passing by honked in support. They rallied against the Trump administration’s actions regarding foreign affairs, including the 25% tariffs on the majority of goods from Mexico and Canada announced earlier that day — which were paused two days later — and the wars in Gaza and Ukraine. They also cited anger at the administration’s mass layoffs and termination of federal employees, handling of immigration policy, and dismantling of diversity, equity, and inclusion programs.

Alex Pinkowicz, a junior at Hampshire College, said that it was especially important to protest in light of President Donald Trump’s threatening rhetoric towards protestors, especially college students who are not U.S. citizens: “[Trump’s] trying to erode our right to protest and saying that he’s gonna throw people in jail for illegally protesting … Threatening to deport other people who are protesting [who] aren’t complete citizens yet even if they’re here legally, is just one of a billion and a half reasons why I’m extremely upset and afraid for the future.”

Protesters expressed that this event was not only to oppose Trump’s policies but also to increase political activism within the Amherst community.

“[It’s] rebuilding connections with people in the community and finding out what other people are doing, so that we can find wherever there is traction and whatever we can do to to push the message forward. And so it’s building networks locally,” Amherst resident Jeff Hudson said.

Others said that the protest felt like a moment of solidarity for the town in the midst of political crises, and expressed hope for more opportunities to come together.

“There is a feeling and a reality that there is an attack on democracy in this country,” Hardwick resident John Petraglia said. “And we’re here to make a little noise, but [also] to make sure that people recognize that they’re not alone in this fight.”