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Despite pouring rain, thousands of people packed the State Capitol for several hours Saturday afternoon with one united message in mind: Hands Off. An estimated 2,500 to 3,000 people stood together this past weekend at a rally in Hartford. It featured speakers such as CT Senator Richard Blumenthal, other state representatives and local activists. The rally was part of a greater democratic movement organized across all 50 states.
CNN reports that over 1,400 protests were carried out across the nation, and while there is no exact number, they estimate millions of people showed up to voice their concerns with the current Trump administration. These rallies and their large turnout are a powerful visual and necessary reminder of the significance mass political participation holds.
In Hartford specifically, there were all kinds of people who came together. You could spot little kids running around with their signs. Groups of eager young adults and families who participated, along with elderly people who brought their chairs and picked a spot amongst the crowd. As a student studying politics, I drove the hour from Fairfield University to Hartford, CT, with a friend to participate in the day.
Looking at all the signs, it was clear that each person came for different reasons and represented different causes and values. Some focused on the economy and social programs with signs reading, “Tariffs are taxes” and, “Hands off Social Security, Medicare Medicaid.” Others championed unity with messages like “We the people rise together”, and “Unity in Diversity, One World One Peace.”
There were many signs calling out Elon Musk’s political involvement, saying, “Send Elon Musk to Mars.” Other posters criticized the administration’s foreign policy rhetoric, reading, “Trump Sides With Russia over Ukraine.” Many stood against recent research funding cuts, saying, “Academic Freedom is a Human Right,” and “Donald Keep Your Hands Off Cancer Research (and science, and health, and our bodies).” Finally, many signs stood for democracy itself with signs saying, “Reject fascism,” “Hands off Free Speech,” and “No More Kings.”
Regardless of each person’s reason for showing up, it is clear people are paying attention to politics and are willing to mobilize. And this level of participation is not limited to Saturday, April 5. Senators Bernie Sanders and Alexandra Ocasio-Cortez have been on a Fighting The Oligarchy Tour, spreading progressive messaging and critiquing the billionaire influence in politics today.
Back on Friday, March 21, they drew out a crowd of over 30,000 people in Denver. Their turnout has been extremely impressive as they have been speaking to many crowds in red states/districts and are attempting to engage communities, not win an upcoming election. CT Senator Chris Murphy has also teamed up with Gen Z Congressman Maxwell Frost, hosting multiple town halls in red states to keep the conversation going and lead a talk on corruption.
Personally, after months of executive orders and divisive language, it felt extremely cathartic to be in a crowd feeling so much of the same passion and emotions. Everyone was angry, yet they showed up, and that brought me hope.
Now, real organizing does not end with a single rally or large town hall. I believe it requires constant education, attention, registering more people to vote and working to fight back. And it is important to follow up. However, I do think these more symbolic days do hold a lot of value, because they bring people together and show them that they are not alone in their frustration.
Anger coupled with optimism is when a cause has a fighting chance.