What started as a gathering of 30 friends voicing concern for the state of democracy quickly became a community-wide effort, as more than 200 people joined them in protest on Mar. 2.
“Many social changes have required people going to the streets, and so we had decided that that’s just what we were going to do,” protest organizer Robin Ginerich said. “Then we put out on social media some, and then other people started telling their friends.”
While holding signs reading “Stop the Steal of our Democracy” and chanting “Hey Ho, Elon Musk Go,” Lawrence civilians gathered on the corner of Ninth and Mass to protest Donald Trump’s presidential administration. Specifically its partnership with billionaire and CEO of Tesla Elon Musk, anti LGBTQIA + legislation and its sweeping efforts to reduce the federal workforce.
The aforementioned policies have resulted in 3 dozen layoffs at Haskell university on Feb. 14, breaking treaty obligations between the federal government and Indigenous people. Several community members were inspired to join by the recent layoffs.
“I am just very passionate about indigenous people’s rights and justice and being in solidarity with Haskell,” protester Joni Fornelli said. “I think we’ve taken enough already. We’ve taken their land, and now taking their education is unacceptable.”
Cuts to federal funding also pose risk to those who are seeking higher education, especially high schoolers like senior Rose Allgeier.
“There is a present threat to FAFSA and that kind of thing, which I think just breeds a lot of anxiety around college,” Allgeier said. “College is already so expensive and so unattainable for so many people and I feel like the way it’s heading, it looks like it’s getting worse.”
Allgeier was one of one of few high school age protesters.
“That was one thing that I noticed,” she said. “It was all older people, and I feel like it’s because those things are circulated through Facebook a lot, and people my age aren’t on Facebook as much.”
Despite being sparsely represented, the young people present made sure their voices were heard, one of their largest concerns being the threat to LGBTQ+ rights.
“I’m trans. So, that immediately affects me, it affects my friends,” Zephyr Staghorn said. “We’re all facing our rights being taken away just flat out discrimination against being able to get housing, discrimination on just being able to get a job, basic things that we’re all wanting to do, just to live.”
For Jerry Jost, this is only the beginning of Lawrence’s advocacy against the current Trump administration.
“I think this is a generational fight, so we have to be ready for a marathon.” Jost said. “I’m looking for all generations. I am welcoming Republicans, Unaffiliated and Democrats to stand up for law and order, our constitution, and democracy.”
Allgeier, who protested alongside her mother, says protests like these are a sign of desperate times.
“When I was younger, [my mother] never used to do things like this,” she said. “I think it shows how dire the situation is that your average normal voter is becoming much more involved, much more progressive and radical in a way, because the situation demands it of people”.
Protests are planned to continue each Sunday indefinitely. Jost encourages all young people to act.
“This is your future and the mess we’re leaving for you and it’s not fair,” Jost said. “We have to fight for this democracy and we have to fight for a government that works for us. We’re all better than this, and this country is better than this.”
