SALEM — A group of at least 50 protestors took to Riley Plaza on Tuesday night for a rally to stand in solidarity against the actions of the Trump administration
The event organized by the local pro-Democratic group Salem’s Call was intended to call attention to a variety of recent actions from the current administration such as cuts to Medicaid, ICE deportations, facilities being built to house detainees, climate change, or the cutting of cancer research.
“It’s hard to think of just one thing to protest just one issue, because it’s just one thing after another,” Salem resident Carol Hautau said. “But I’m really concerned about climate issues, and it feels like [the Trump administration] is killing us – plain and simple.”
Another resident, Julie Wittlowe, echoed the sentiment.
“Donald Trump has decimated what we believe about our country,” she said. “We’re watching things like free and fair elections, protection of human rights and immigrants, funding for education and science, be taken away. Those are the things that have made our country exceptional, and we’re seeing them destroyed.”
The rally began with a standout protest in which attendees held signs reading a variety of slogans including “No Kings,” “Save our democracy,” and “Hands off our social security!” After an hour, protesters joined hands to form a human chain, inspired by the Hands Across High Street campaign in Columbus, Ohio.
Salem Call, the group organizing the rally, is a pro-Democratic group working with 50501, No Kings, Hands Off, ACLU, and other organizations to hold rallies and other progressive gatherings in Salem. The group holds a rally every Saturday at noon at Riley Plaza to raise awareness on issues such as upholding the constitution, human rights, and free speech.
Although Tuesday’s rally wasn’t intended to focus on a specific issue, Salem Common encouraged attendees to advocate for legislation such as the Dignity not Deportation Act.
The proposed legislation that’s in second committee that would take actions to limit state and local collaboration with ICE, as well as the federal VISIBLE Act, before the committee on the judiciary, which would prohibit ICE agents from wearing facemasks.
Issues such as cuts to research for cancer and rare diseases hit especially close to home for Salem resident and Salem Common member Deborah Baker, who lost her son to Menke’s disease, a rare genetic disorder primarily affecting young children.
“I can’t conceive of why you would cut these lifesaving programs,” she said. “To give you an example of the lab research that has been done with Menke’s disease, the average lifespan for a boy with Menke’s disease used to be anywhere from a month to 12 months – my son had 14 months.
“… But it’s not just what happened to my son, it’s what’s happening to everyone.”
There were no apparent counter-protestors at Tuesday’s rally.
“Our flag belongs to everybody,” Salem resident Maura Madden said. “If I can make even one person feel more safe and show them that they aren’t alone, it’s worth it.”
Michael McHugh can be contacted at mmchugh@northofboston.com or at 781-799-5202