by Joe Courter
Whether in hot sunny Florida, a rainy wet new York City, the cold of Burlington, Vermont, or whatever other weather across the country, and even in Europe, the turn outs at the Hands Off! rally on April 5 were huge. In cities big and small, the call was out to reign in and reverse the cut backs being imposed by the now rogue Trump/Musk et al. regime. An estimated 5 million people participated in Hands Off! rallies that day.
In Gainesville, well over 1,000 people turned out for the rally near the Cade Museum at the large roundabout intersection of South Main Street and Depot Avenue.
Our Gainesville Rally was a loud and fun affair, with colorful and creative signs ringing the large traffic circle, on the center island and for a short distance up and down South Main St. The vibe was overwhelming positive, with much friendly horn honking from the cars, trucks, scooters, and even a throw back hippy VW van all painted up and flying rainbow and peace flags. People were even having fun driving around in the circle with their signs held out the windows.
Many old friends were being reconnected, and young people were out in force, too, a great thing to see in a college town where the town and gown divide is often present.
We could all see each other, see each others’ signs and concerns represented, and as well our creativity and humor even in the face this horrible administrative coup we are living through. We were all there, and realizing we were all in this together.
But we should remember of another day of mass rallies, and that was Feb. 15, 2003. These were held, not only all over the U.S., but all over the world to try and stop the immanent invasion of Iraq by the George W. Bush administration. (Look up 2/15/03, it was spectacular! ) And they were ignored, leading to a devastating history-changing catastrophe based on lies.
This must be a start. As Senator Amy Klobuchar pointed out in her rally in Minnesota, pressure to flip less than five republicans in either the House or Senate, could at least slow or halt legislation.
But we need more, we need brave lawyers to fight cases and pressure put on all elected official to do better. Immigrants must be protected and defended, and as well the LGBTQ community. Social Security, the Veterans Administration, the Post Office, scientific research agencies and retirement pensions need to be preserved.
The poor and disadvantaged will need safety nets, and that group may be growing as the economic impact of the Trump/Musk/MAGA agenda is felt across the country.
It was great to feel the power of so many people out in the parks and streets, see each others faces, make new friends, reacquaint with old friends, but there is work to do, and possible hard times ahead. We have the tools to build on this, and the necessity to do so. C’mon let’s go.