On April 5, hundreds of West Virginians gathered at the West Virginia State Capitol to protest the Trump Administration’s policies.
“Hands off the constitution, hands off democracy!” was chanted by attendees as the rally began. Many people from across the state were invited to speak to the crowd of more than five-hundred people, including Marion County State Senator Joey Garcia.
Senator Garcia spoke to the crowd about several different issues. “We are talking about the dignity of humans. We’re talking about the right to healthcare and abortion” Garcia said. “We’re talking about not having the death penalty come back to the State of West Virginia again. We’re talking about the basic freedoms that every one of you deserve.”
The Columns interviewed two attendees about why they chose to attend the hands-off rally in Charleston, West Virginia.
Riss was an attendee of the hands-off rally in Charleston, and attended the protest with WV Free, an advocacy group that advocates for reproductive healthcare and education. “Every Saturday at noon, we meet on the side across the steps of the West Virginia State Capitol, and today they’re helping partner to put on this protest” Riss said.
Riss spoke about what the protest meant to her and for WV Free. Riss said that for herself, she sees a lot of signs and tourist destinations plastered with the slogan, “almost heaven, West Virginia.” “And to me, lately, things have been feeling a lot more like hell” Riss said.
“I am here today in support of all the women, the minorities, the pride community, the immigrants, the veterans, the federal workers, and all our senior citizens who have been absolutely devastated by the complete political onslaught against democracy.’
The Columns spoke with Kelsey, an educator who attended the rally about what the rally meant to her. “I am an educator, so I work in the schools. I do not want to see 504 get cut.” Kelsey also expressed that she would like to expand her family, but she finds it terrifying to that right now.
Kelsey also spoke about the impact that a potential closing of the department of education would have on her students. “All of the schools that are title 1 will have less funding. I think that they will not be cared for as well as they’re cared for now.”
Kelsey was asked about what educators could do to advocate for themselves and their students. “I think we need to talk with our legislators and remind them what the schools need. It’s been decades since they’ve been in school. Most of them have never worked in a school. How are they supposed to know what the students need?”
The Columns also spoke with democratic Delegate Kayla Young. Delegate Young spoke about West Virginians losing their jobs due to layoffs across the federal government. “We’re seeing thousands of people in West Virginia lose their jobs, and that’s terrifying. It’s going to have a huge effect on our unemployment system in West Virgina. I don’t know where most of these jobs are going to get replaced.”
