(Photo by Amber Phipps)
Lisa Amberlin uses her speakerphone to proudly vocalize her concerns and encourage the crowd to participate.
Despite the cold, over 100 protestors lined Front Street by the Armory and U.S. Rep. Michael Rulli’s office to protest actions taken by the current presidential administration on Monday afternoon in Marietta.
The protest was part of a series of protests which took place across the country on Presidents Day. A movement called the #50501 is behind the idea, touting the concept of “50 Protests, 50 States, 1 Movement.”
According to the movement’s website, the movement aims to “the fight to uphold the Constitution and end executive overreach” and “The #50501 protests were a decentralized rapid response to the anti-democratic and illegal actions of the Trump administration and its plutocratic allies”.
In Marietta, each individual seemed to have a different reason for protesting; some bore signs that said “Defund Musk,” “Appalachia Resists,” “Impeach the Felon” and signs in support of Ukraine.
Jill Torbett, a Marietta resident, said her position came from a place of faith. She also emphasized the importance of those protesting to reach out to others with opposing viewpoints to try to foster a sense of understanding as a community to avoid ostracization.
(Photo by Amber Phipps)
Betsy Cook and her friend stand together in protest to fight for their political beliefs with signs that read “DEI is a gift not a threat” and “Eat the Rich”.
“I’m a progressive Christian who wants to let people know that this is what Jesus is calling me to do, to step out of my comfort zone, be courageous and speak up for others that can’t be here.” she said. “Reach out to the other side…I have good Republican friends who are Christians, and we’re finding some common ground. Find one thing, maybe it’s vaccines. Maybe it’s human rights, human rights for all.”
Another worry for several protestors centered on the treatment of the LGBTQ+ community and Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) policy changes.
“I am a retired school teacher and I’m concerned about my students, my LGBTQ students.” Jane Halgr, a retired teacher, said. “I had to come even if it had just been me because if you hide in the shadows then you give people what they wanted, so this turnout is really encouraging.”
Another protestor, Kamreon Bammerlin, spoke about his worries with how the LGBTQ+ community will be impacted by policies made by the current administration.
“I have a ton of friends within the LGBT community, I personally kind of am,” said Bammerlin. “I personally at one point wanted to join the military then (Trump)’s not letting transgender people join, so it was a little difficult for me to realize I can’t join anymore.”
(Photo by Amber Phipps)
Community members stand firmly along Front Street and protest with signs held high above their heads.
A common thread amongst the protestors appeared to focus on what they believed was their civic duty to protect the Constitution and the rights of others.
“I’m here because I’m really worried about the country in which direction it’s going,” Mark Vanzanten said. “And the autocracy, the oligarchy, you can call it whatever you want, but it scares me.”
Staff Reporter Amber Phipps contributed to this article.
(Photo by Amber Phipps)
Mark Vanzanten waves a sign that reads “Appalachia Resists” during a protest in Marietta Monday afternoon. The sign has bandanas attached to it, a reference to the bandanas worn during mine strikes by coal miners in the early 20th Century.
(Photo by Amber Phipps)
Jane Halgr, a retired teacher, shows off her sign during a protest on Front Street in Marietta on Monday.
(Photo by Amber Phipps)
Protestors line up out front of the Marietta office of U.S. Rep. Michael Rulli, R-Ohio, on Monday to share their concerns about the current presidential administration.
Photo by Gwen Sour
During a protest on Presidents Day in Marietta, protestors began to use chants to create camaraderie.
