More than 300 display signs along East Main Street
By Art Van Kraft for Ashland.news
A crowd of between three and four hundred people gathered on Ashland Plaza on Saturday afternoon, then spread out onto nearby sidewalks along East Main Street as cars honked and protesters cheered.
It was part of a large number of demonstrations nationwide as “Opponents of President Donald Trump’s administration took to the streets of communities large and small across the U.S. on Saturday, decrying what they see as threats to the nation’s democratic ideals,” according to a story from the Associate Press.
Former Mayor Julie Akins said she was looking for any local protests organized by the 50501 movement. They are a national group dedicated to promoting “50 protest, 50 states, 1 movement.” When nothing showed up for Ashland in April, Akins decided to start a local protest herself. With the sanction of 50501, Akins said she went ahead with the arrangements.
“I contacted the 50501 people and asked if it would be alright if I put something together in Ashland on the nineteenth, just to keep the seat warm for them. So, we picked a date and time, and I pulled a noise ordinance and advertised it, and here we are,” Akins said.
Two Ashland neighbors floated possibly the highest signs at the protest.
“It’s outrageous that they jailed these guys without due process and they’re making excuses not bringing them back. A lot of these people (that were deported) I played soccer with, and they were former National Guard legal immigrants, and they weren’t giving them a chance for due process in the courts,” Ken Miller said.
“I’m here because Republicans aren’t the only ones who are dangerous. Real patriots don’t lock people up without using the courts, without proving why they’re being snatched,” he added.
Not to be outdone, Eric Toews gripped his broom sign to “sweep Trump away,” he said. “I’m not happy with the status quo. There are so many slogans out here and they’re all good. We want to take back our democracy, we don’t want to be taken over by thieves in a Trump-ocracy,” he said.
Victoria Lawton-Díez joined the rally with exuberance. The Ashland schoolteacher hefted a bullhorn and chanted slogans while jumping in the air.
“I believe in social justice, I believe equality for all, not just the wealthy elite. I believe in saving our climate and saving a sustaining future for our children. I’m a teacher so I really believe in the next generation. I know that we here at this rally are working together for similar goals,” Lawton Diaz said.
She said she respects different opinions but questions some motives. She spoke in regard to a counter protest that walked by displaying an array of signs.
“I thought (the counter-protester) was really here for attention. We’re here trying to unite with each other and that was just a distraction or division that was intended, and I think he likes being a contrary,” Lawton-Díez said.
The man, who identified himself only as Mark, said he’s a former Naval officer who he came to the rally to voice an opposing position. He said he gets pushback from protesters, but expects that. Mark says he understands that Trump upsets people but has a different opinion, one that he expresses with elaborate signs. A few protestors took the bait and started arguments that were quickly defused by the presence of two police officers.
Another protest rally, one sponsored by 50501, is tentatively scheduled in May, according to Julie Akins.
Art Van Kraft is an artist living in Ashland and a former broadcast journalist and news director of a Los Angeles-area National Public Radio affiliate. Email him at [email protected].
