On Saturday, Oct. 18, millions of Americans gathered in rallies to protest the current administration of President Donald Trump across the US. They held signs with messages like “Real patriots fight for democracy,” “Defend our constitution,” and “Love Trump’s hate.” The rallies stand to protest major decisions from both Congress and the President that have led to mass budget cuts and a stronger influence of the executive branch over other governing branches.
Here in Houghton, an estimated 850 people showed up to join in on the protest, with organizers from Keweenaw Indivisible and the Copper County League of Women Voters chapter helping to promote and assist with the rally. Keweenaw Indivisible is a non-partisan grassroots organization that empowers its local community to stand up to the current administration and to build a just, inclusive, and sustainable future in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. The League of Women Voters is a non-partisan organization dedicated to helping everyone of legal age and status to register and vote, and raising awareness of current issues being faced across the country.
Vicky Bergvall, the secretary of the League of Women Voters and a retired professor from Tech, said in regards to the No Kings Protest, “[W]e think the country is facing a time of constitutional crisis. I believe very much in the separation of powers, that you know, that there should be a judicial, executive, and a legislative [branch].” Critics of the movement often refer to American Independence Day as a remark on the last time we’ve had a king in power. “I agree, we don’t have a king. But there’s, you know, if you walk like a duck and talk like a duck, you know, once the powers become concentrated, once one person can say, ‘this is going to be a violent, anti-American rally.’ I saw [nothing] anti-American. I mean, my sign said, ‘I love America because separation of powers.’ What’s happening is that unless you agree with one side of the administration, you don’t count, and that becomes fealty to a monarch…”
Both the League of Women Voters and Keweenaw Indivisible want people to know that every vote counts, and that people should inform themselves and others about issues, candidates, and take charge to change the communities they live in. “If you don’t like what is happening, do something about it. You don’t need to do everything: just start doing something.” If you would like to find out more about the League of Women Voters or Keweenaw Indivisible, you can find them on Facebook or go to my.lwv.org/michigan/copper-country for more information on the organizations and the recent No Kings Protest.
The Michigan Tech Lode is a non-partisan student newspaper with the goal of informing the Michigan Tech community on current events.
