‘We haven’t lost our democracy yet’

Community members gathered at WKFL park on a sunny Saturday, March 8, to protest the Trump administration’s sweeping federal actions since the presidential inauguration. The rally was hosted by the local Women of Action committee amid thousands of other rallies, protests and gatherings across the United States.

Dozens of protesters bearing homemade signs denouncing the recent actions of the current administration began to gather around noon on International Women’s Day. Volunteers in fluorescent vests helped safely usher attendees across the busy intersection at the corner of E Pioneer and Heath, smiling and hugging those they recognized.

Tammy Hopkins said she was attending because she’s worried about our democracy.

“I don’t care about eggs,” she said. “You know, that’s not the serious part of this. It’s being led down another path.”

Kate Finn with the Women of Action committee said she hoped people are paying attention to what’s happening in Washington, D.C., and “rippling out through the entire world.”

“We object to most of what’s happening,” she said. “We want to make that statement. It’s our statement to the president and to senators to stand up. Stand up and do what you know is morally and ethically right for this country.”

A resource table filled with both local, statewide and national resources helped provide participants with information and support. A basket with a handwritten sign that read “Postcards for Trump,” sat at the front, part of a targeted postcard campaign aimed at flooding the White House with constituent concerns.

Organizer Sandra Garity addressed the crowd, explaining that the national movement calls for people to send postcards on the same day, March 15.

“They will be received at the White House at the same time,” she said.

Dr. Giulia M. Tortora spoke to the crowd about the implications for health care that she worries about with the change in administrations, including a lack of funding for the U.S. Agency for International Development, negative perceptions of vaccines, potential Medicaid cuts, withdrawal from the World Health Organization, and further restrictions on reproductive and transgender health care. 

Ginny Espenshade spoke to the crowd about the U.S. Constitution and the division of checks and balances that function to preserve democracy. A practicing attorney in Homer for 12 years, she has also served as director of the Kenai Peninsula Youth Court for nearly 30 years, where she helps teach youth about the legal system and legislative process.

“I have to remember: This is a rally, not a funeral,” Espenshade said on Saturday. “Like many of you, in November, I felt grief, anger and mourning for the lost opportunities. But we haven’t lost our democracy yet. It is being threatened.”

Espenshade also pointed to a recent move by the Trump administration flagging certain words agencies should limit or avoid using. The words include everything from “trauma” and “racism” to “female” and “pollution,” according to list compiled from federal documents recently published by The New York Times.

“You can read the list of disappearing words. Read it once, then go for a walk on the beach, because you’re going to be furious. Then come back and circle the ones that mean the most to you and that can focus your passion. And second, balance your global action with your community level activism. Yes, write your representatives, but also practice your activism here to support the folks already doing this work, much of it in our nonprofit or community organization level,” she said.

“This is a rally, not a funeral. While we fight the hate, we’re practicing the love. So, take care of yourselves and take care of each other and be thankful for this community of love.”

Reach reporter Chloe Pleznac at chloe.pleznac@homernews.com.