Tag Archives: Anti-Trump activism

AOC Fires Up Crowd of 6,000 at May Day Protest in NYC-See Photo Highlights

Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez fires up the 6,000 May Day protesters in Foley Square, NYC © Karen Rubin/news-photos-features.com

By Karen Rubin, [email protected]news-photos-features.com

The 6,000 May Day protesters gathered at Foley Square in front of the Federal Courthouse and surrounded by federal buildings, were fired up by the surprise appearance of Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez who had raced from an airport to give her energy to the labor movement amidst the unprecedented crackdown of civil and workers rights by the Trump Administration.

Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez fires up the 6,000 May Day protesters in Foley Square, NYC © Karen Rubin/news-photos-features.com

AOC called on them to keep the pressure on the MAGA Republican lawmakers, who have ceded their co-equal power to the dictator wannabe rather than face his ire or a primary challenge. The protests – collectively the largest in history -through the first 100 days of Trump’s presidency, have not been futile exercises. Just that day, Republicans pulled a vote to slash Medicaid by an unprecedented $888 billion. “They have stopped and suspended next week’s Medicaid cuts because they’re getting too scared,” Ocasio-Cortez said. “They see you, New York, they see the gathering.”

This is what Democracy Looks Like. May Day Protest, NYC © Karen Rubin/news-photos-features.com

She urged continued vigilance, warning that they will vote again in the dead of night when they think no one is watching.

She energized the crowd, declaring that the Trump administration is much more prepared and planned this time around in terms of the kinds of chaos that they’re trying to unleash. More than legal programs, more than policy, they are trying to invoke fear.

Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez fires up the 6,000 May Day protesters in Foley Square, NYC © Karen Rubin/news-photos-features.com

That is how authoritarianism works. These are the tools to get us to sacrifice and surrender our civil liberties, more than they take them.” Indeed, Trump pardoned virtually all the January 6th insurrectionists, including those who had threatened her life. “I’m not going to give them my fear,” she has told supporters. “They’re relying on us giving up. Hell no.”

We’re going to keep standing with trans people.
We’re going to keep standing with the LGBT community.
We’re going to keep standing for the working class.
We’re going to keep fighting for a better minimum wage.
We’re going to keep fighting to guarantee healthcare.

Please Save Me. May Day Protest, NYC © Karen Rubin/news-photos-features.com

The issues that have dominated the anti-Trump protests that have been virtually constant were present here too – Hands Off public education with huge contingents of protesters from colleges and teachers unions and immigrant rights. 

And typical of May Day protests were the demands by workers, but the Tax the Rich and Down with Billionaires themes more vitriolic and urgent. You get the feeling that if Trump is not stopped in his march toward authoritarianism, there will be an equally strong backlash. One cannot but think that Trump is hoping for these protests to get even more animated and violent, so he can declare martial law under the Insurrection Act and snuff out the last vestige of opposition, after decimating the judicial system, the Congress, a free press (he just signed an order canceling federal spending for NPR and PBS).

S.O.S. May Day. May Day Protest, NYC © Karen Rubin/news-photos-features.com

The May Day protest, an annual rite in New York City, featured the city’s labor unions, students and educators, a huge contingent of pro-Palestinian protesters, and were joined by those standing against encroachment of power, rise of autocracy and Fascism, and standing up for due process, democracy, public education, healthcare, immigrant rights, social security and Medicaid and healthcare.

Resist. May Day Protest, NYC © Karen Rubin/news-photos-features.com

Many protesters exclaimed support for immigrants, for students whose visas were cancelled and arrested for exercising free speech, and for Khalil Abrego Garcia specifically, wrongly deported to an El Salvador gulag without due process, as the face of a victim of a tyranny.

No American Auschwitz. May Day Protest, NYC © Karen Rubin/news-photos-features.com

Veronica Salama, the New York Civil Liberties Union staff attorney who is part of the legal team representing Palestinian activist Mahmoud Khalil, condemned Trump for separating Khalil from his family and said Khalil’s arrest violated the first amendment.

Health Care is a Human Right. May Day Protest, NYC © Karen Rubin/news-photos-features.com

The protesters marched down Broadway, ending at the Charging Bull, the iconic image of Wall Street, to emphasize the message on many of the signs: Send Billionaires to Mars, Tax the Rich, Fight Fascism.

Stop the Mass Kidnappings. May Day Protest, NYC © Karen Rubin/news-photos-features.com

New York City’s May Day protest was one of more than 1000 in more than 800 cities and towns across the country, and the second that day at Foley Square (some 3,000 lawyers came out in front of the federal court during Law Day, an annual affirmation of the Rule of Law), plus several others around the city, organized and promoted by multiple organizations. They have realized that only through solidarity can they fulfill their individual goals. The overarching message: “Together we win.”

We are the Many. They are the Few. May Day Protest, NYC © Karen Rubin/news-photos-features.com

Hallie Brenner Perles, co-leader of Show Up Long Island and an organizer of the Long Island protest, stated, “Authoritarians like Trump and Musk want to divide us and to appeal to the smallest, cruelest, and most selfish impulses of humanity. That’s the only way they can win. But we still live in a democracy. And right now we can choose to care, to stand up for each other, to seek truth and facts over lies, to know that an attack on any groups’ human rights is an attack on all. We can choose empathy and the courage to acknowledge these are not normal times so we won’t pretend that they are. We will continue to nonviolently protest all that is wrong with this administration as heroes have done before us. Then some day books will be written that tell our story: that when our country, our children and the world needed us, so many Americans in all 50 states stood together on the right side of history. “

We are the Suns of Liberty. May Day Protest, NYC © Karen Rubin/news-photos-features.com

“This was by far the largest, most widespread May Day action in the history of our country,” MayDayStrong.org reported. “The billionaires are waging a war on working people—and on May Day, international workers’ day, hundreds of thousands of us stood together and stood strong, fighting for public schools over private profits, healthcare over hedge funds, shared prosperity over free market politics. Working people built this nation and we know how to take care of each other. We won’t back down—we will never stop fighting for our families and the rights and freedoms that ensure access to opportunity and a better life for all Americans. Their time is up.”

No Detentions. No Deportations. May Day Protest, NYC © Karen Rubin/news-photos-features.com

Numerous protests are upcoming with another national day of protest slated for June 14th organized by 50501.org: They are looking to “amass in spectacular numbers for the “Anti-Regime Day of Protest”  and counter the massive (6600 soldiers! 150 vehicles, 50 helicopters! 2,000 civilians!) and massively expensive ($92 million!) military parade Trump, in true dictator fashion, is organizing for his 79th birthday, even as he orders cuts to Medicaid resulting in hospitals laying off healthcare workers.

Hands Off. May Day Protest, NYC © Karen Rubin/news-photos-features.com

At its protest in suburban Long Island, Hallie Brenner Perles, co-leader Show Up Long Island, declared, “Authoritarians like Trump and Musk want to divide us and to appeal to the smallest, cruelest, and most selfish impulses of humanity. That’s the only way they can win. But we still live in a democracy. And right now we can choose to care, to stand up for each other, to seek truth and facts over lies, to know that an attack on any groups’ human rights is an attack on all. We can choose empathy and the courage to acknowledge these are not normal times so we won’t pretend that they are. We will continue to nonviolently protest all that is wrong with this administration as heroes have done before us. Then some day books will be written that tell our story: that when our country, our children and the world needed us , so many Americans in all 50 states stood together on the right side of history.”

Let the protesters speak for themselves. Here are highlights from the New York City May Day protest:

TWU’s Civil & Human Rights Committee. May Day Protest, NYC © Karen Rubin/news-photos-features.com
May Day Protest, NYC © Karen Rubin/news-photos-features.com
Democracies Don’t Kidnap and Torture Refugees. May Day Protest, NYC © Karen Rubin/news-photos-features.com
Make the Road. May Day Protest, NYC © Karen Rubin/news-photos-features.com
Defeat Trump/MAGA Fascism. May Day Protest, NYC © Karen Rubin/news-photos-features.com
Downtown Nasty Women Social Group. May Day Protest, NYC © Karen Rubin/news-photos-features.com
Trump is NOT my Commander. May Day Protest, NYC © Karen Rubin/news-photos-features.com
Save Medicare. May Day Protest, NYC © Karen Rubin/news-photos-features.com
I Love Immigrant NY. May Day Protest, NYC © Karen Rubin/news-photos-features.com
Defying Depravity. May Day Protest, NYC © Karen Rubin/news-photos-features.com
We the People Stand United. May Day Protest, NYC © Karen Rubin/news-photos-features.com
Stop Repression. May Day Protest, NYC © Karen Rubin/news-photos-features.com
Vets Against Trump. May Day Protest, NYC © Karen Rubin/news-photos-features.com
NYC Teacherse: You Won’t Take Our Kids Away! May Day Protest, NYC © Karen Rubin/news-photos-features.com
Labor Committee to Defend Immigrants. May Day Protest, NYC © Karen Rubin/news-photos-features.com
May Day Protest, NYC © Karen Rubin/news-photos-features.com
Laborers International Union. May Day Protest, NYC © Karen Rubin/news-photos-features.com
Cuts to Health Care Kill! May Day Protest, NYC © Karen Rubin/news-photos-features.com
No Kings in America! May Day Protest, NYC © Karen Rubin/news-photos-features.com
Communist Party USA. May Day Protest, NYC © Karen Rubin/news-photos-features.com
For Sale. May Day Protest, NYC © Karen Rubin/news-photos-features.com

See also:

Tens of Thousands of Protesters Flood NYC Streets to Tell Trump, Musk, DOGE ‘Hands Off’

Photo Highlights: Thousands March in NYC to Protest for Immigrants, the Planet & Against Autocracy, Fascism

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© 2025 News & Photo Features Syndicate, a division of Workstyles,Inc. All rights reserved. For editorial feature and photo information, go to www.news-photos-features.com,email [email protected].Blogging at www.dailykos.com/blogs/NewsPhotosFeatures

Photo Highlights: Thousands March in NYC to Protest for Immigrants, the Planet & Against Autocracy, Fascism

March to Protect Migrants and the Planet, NYC, April 19, 2025, organized by 50501ny.org (c) Karen Rubin/news-photos-features.com

By Karen Rubin, [email protected]news-photos-features.com

Some 20,000 turned out in New York City with little notice only two weeks after the gigantic nationwide “Hands Off” protest on April 5 which drew some 3 million people nationwide – way more than anticipated considering that 100,000 flooded Manhattan streets only two weeks ago.

“No Kings”. March to Protect Migrants and the Planet, NYC, April 19, 2025, organized by 50501ny.org (c) Karen Rubin/news-photos-features.com

This protest, organized by 50501 NY, was themed a “March to Protect Migrants and the Planet” and while these were the most prevalent among the signs and the marchers, even more  were the signs protesting against encroaching tyranny, fascism, the need to protect democracy, due process, free speech, and calls to Resist, Rebel, “Revolution 2.0” along with signs protesting for women’s rights,  Hands Off Social Security, Medicare, healthcare, protect science, protect truth, against tariffs (the penguins were back)

“It’s the Constitution Stupid” and “Make Corruption Wrong Again”

“It’s the Constitution, Stupid”. March to Protect Migrants and the Planet, NYC, April 19, 2025, organized by 50501ny.org (c) Karen Rubin/news-photos-features.com

This event took place on the 250th anniversary of Pau Revere’s Midnight Ride – a woman held a sign “250 years ago-and today- let the warning ride forth once more: Tyranny is at our door.”

“250 Years Ago-And Today.” March to Protect Migrants and the Planet, NYC, April 19, 2025, organized by 50501ny.org (c) Karen Rubin/news-photos-features.com

Others drew parallels: “No Kings. Not in 1775. Not in 2025.”

“No Kings in America.” March to Protect Migrants and the Planet, NYC, April 19, 2025, organized by 50501ny.org (c) Karen Rubin/news-photos-features.com

(April 19 is also the anniversary of the Oklahoma City bombing, and the WACO – two of the worst incidents of domestic terrorism.)

The line of marchers stretched a mile, taking over 42nd Street from Fifth to Madison, and then Madison Avenue up to 57 street, and Fifth Avenue into Central Park where the march ended.

“Mein Trumpf”. March to Protect Migrants and the Planet, NYC, April 19, 2025, organized by 50501ny.org (c) Karen Rubin/news-photos-features.com

There were people of all ages, people using walkers, wheelchairs, fearful of losing Social Security or Medicare; families with young children, afraid for the future of the planet, let alone the economy – an indication of the extent of the harms – basically to every constituency except his billionaire and corporate donors – Trump, Musk, DOGE and MAGA have inflicted in less than 100 days in office.

“Wanted! Crimes Against Democracy.” March to Protect Migrants and the Planet, NYC, April 19, 2025, organized by 50501ny.org (c) Karen Rubin/news-photos-features.com

The fear and anxiety over Trump rapidly imposing a fascist autocracy is not unwarranted – it took Hitler only 53 days to replace Germany’s constitutional democracy with his Nazi dictatorship and only 10 years between his inauguration to the Final Solution in which he exterminated 6 million Jews and millions of others and sunk the world into war. Trump has been in office 89 days, but between his ignoring court orders, deporting individuals to foreign gulags without due process, snatching people from the street, attacking judges, journalists, law firms and academia, many drew the parallels to genocidal autocrats of the past.

“Fight Ignorance. Not Immigrants.” March to Protect Migrants and the Planet, NYC, April 19, 2025, organized by 50501ny.org (c) Karen Rubin/news-photos-features.com

Though smaller in number than two weeks ago, these chanters were more angry and not above using profanity in chants and on signs. People are pissed.

“First it’s immigrants, then…” March to Protect Migrants and the Planet, NYC, April 19, 2025, organized by 50501ny.org (c) Karen Rubin/news-photos-features.com

The April 19 protests nationwide were organized by the 50501 Movement, a grassroots initiative. Some 700 protests were planned, to “sustain resistance in order to make a difference” and keep the momentum of the massively successful April 5 “Hands Off” protests that by some estimates drew 5 million across the U.S.

Here are more photo highlights:

Indivisible Brooklyn “fabulously fighting fascism!” March to Protect Migrants and the Planet, NYC, April 19, 2025, organized by 50501ny.org (c) Karen Rubin/news-photos-features.com
“Hands Off Our Bodies, Our Freedom, Our Democracy.” March to Protect Migrants and the Planet, NYC, April 19, 2025, organized by 50501ny.org (c) Karen Rubin/news-photos-features.com
March to Protect Migrants and the Planet, NYC, April 19, 2025, organized by 50501ny.org (c) Karen Rubin/news-photos-features.com
March to Protect Migrants and the Planet, NYC, April 19, 2025, organized by 50501ny.org (c) Karen Rubin/news-photos-features.com
“Revolution 2.0” March to Protect Migrants and the Planet, NYC, April 19, 2025, organized by 50501ny.org (c) Karen Rubin/news-photos-features.com
“Resist.” March to Protect Migrants and the Planet, NYC, April 19, 2025, organized by 50501ny.org (c) Karen Rubin/news-photos-features.com
“Resist.” March to Protect Migrants and the Planet, NYC, April 19, 2025, organized by 50501ny.org (c) Karen Rubin/news-photos-features.com
March to Protect Migrants and the Planet, NYC, April 19, 2025, organized by 50501ny.org (c) Karen Rubin/news-photos-features.com
March to Protect Migrants and the Planet, NYC, April 19, 2025, organized by 50501ny.org (c) Karen Rubin/news-photos-features.com
“Due Process Now!” March to Protect Migrants and the Planet, NYC, April 19, 2025, organized by 50501ny.org (c) Karen Rubin/news-photos-features.com
“Wicked” March to Protect Migrants and the Planet, NYC, April 19, 2025, organized by 50501ny.org (c) Karen Rubin/news-photos-features.com
“Our Power. Our Planet. Our People” March to Protect Migrants and the Planet, NYC, April 19, 2025, organized by 50501ny.org (c) Karen Rubin/news-photos-features.com
“Tell Old Pharoah: Let My People Go!” March to Protect Migrants and the Planet, NYC, April 19, 2025, organized by 50501ny.org (c) Karen Rubin/news-photos-features.com
“Jews Against Deportation.” March to Protect Migrants and the Planet, NYC, April 19, 2025, organized by 50501ny.org (c) Karen Rubin/news-photos-features.com
“Hands Off Public Health, Medicare & Medicaid.” March to Protect Migrants and the Planet, NYC, April 19, 2025, organized by 50501ny.org (c) Karen Rubin/news-photos-features.com
“Billionaires Profit Off Climate Chaos.” March to Protect Migrants and the Planet, NYC, April 19, 2025, organized by 50501ny.org (c) Karen Rubin/news-photos-features.com
“Save our Land. Stop the Destroyer.” March to Protect Migrants and the Planet, NYC, April 19, 2025, organized by 50501ny.org (c) Karen Rubin/news-photos-features.com
March to Protect Migrants and the Planet, NYC, April 19, 2025, organized by 50501ny.org (c) Karen Rubin/news-photos-features.com
“Rotten Oranges Belong in the Compost Bin, Not the Oval Office.” March to Protect Migrants and the Planet, NYC, April 19, 2025, organized by 50501ny.org (c) Karen Rubin/news-photos-features.com
March to Protect Migrants and the Planet, NYC, April 19, 2025, organized by 50501ny.org (c) Karen Rubin/news-photos-features.com
“Who is Safe?” March to Protect Migrants and the Planet, NYC, April 19, 2025, organized by 50501ny.org (c) Karen Rubin/news-photos-features.com
“This is what autocracy looks like.! March to Protect Migrants and the Planet, NYC, April 19, 2025, organized by 50501ny.org (c) Karen Rubin/news-photos-features.com
“Hands Off! Immigrants. Our Free Speech.” March to Protect Migrants and the Planet, NYC, April 19, 2025, organized by 50501ny.org (c) Karen Rubin/news-photos-features.com
“A National Disgrace.” March to Protect Migrants and the Planet, NYC, April 19, 2025, organized by 50501ny.org (c) Karen Rubin/news-photos-features.com
“Consequences.” March to Protect Migrants and the Planet, NYC, April 19, 2025, organized by 50501ny.org (c) Karen Rubin/news-photos-features.com
“Make America America Again.” March to Protect Migrants and the Planet, NYC, April 19, 2025, organized by 50501ny.org (c) Karen Rubin/news-photos-features.com
“Wanted” March to Protect Migrants and the Planet, NYC, April 19, 2025, organized by 50501ny.org (c) Karen Rubin/news-photos-features.com
“Vote or Watch Democracy Die.” March to Protect Migrants and the Planet, NYC, April 19, 2025, organized by 50501ny.org (c) Karen Rubin/news-photos-features.com
“Super Callus Fascist Sexist Nazi POTUS.” March to Protect Migrants and the Planet, NYC, April 19, 2025, organized by 50501ny.org (c) Karen Rubin/news-photos-features.com
“Save the Planet.” March to Protect Migrants and the Planet, NYC, April 19, 2025, organized by 50501ny.org (c) Karen Rubin/news-photos-features.com
“Republicans Destroying America.” March to Protect Migrants and the Planet, NYC, April 19, 2025, organized by 50501ny.org (c) Karen Rubin/news-photos-features.com
“No Deportations.” March to Protect Migrants and the Planet, NYC, April 19, 2025, organized by 50501ny.org (c) Karen Rubin/news-photos-features.com
“Get Off Fossil Fuels.” March to Protect Migrants and the Planet, NYC, April 19, 2025, organized by 50501ny.org (c) Karen Rubin/news-photos-features.com
“Hands Off DEI! Education!” March to Protect Migrants and the Planet, NYC, April 19, 2025, organized by 50501ny.org (c) Karen Rubin/news-photos-features.com
Families protest to save the future. March to Protect Migrants and the Planet, NYC, April 19, 2025, organized by 50501ny.org (c) Karen Rubin/news-photos-features.com
“Make America Broke Again.” March to Protect Migrants and the Planet, NYC, April 19, 2025, organized by 50501ny.org (c) Karen Rubin/news-photos-features.com
March to Protect Migrants and the Planet, NYC, April 19, 2025, organized by 50501ny.org (c) Karen Rubin/news-photos-features.com
“Worst President Ever.” March to Protect Migrants and the Planet, NYC, April 19, 2025, organized by 50501ny.org (c) Karen Rubin/news-photos-features.com
“Our City. Our Earth. Our Future.” March to Protect Migrants and the Planet, NYC, April 19, 2025, organized by 50501ny.org (c) Karen Rubin/news-photos-features.com
March to Protect Migrants and the Planet, NYC, April 19, 2025, organized by 50501ny.org (c) Karen Rubin/news-photos-features.com
“Rebel Baby Rebel” March to Protect Migrants and the Planet, NYC, April 19, 2025, organized by 50501ny.org (c) Karen Rubin/news-photos-features.com
“Turd Reich No!” March to Protect Migrants and the Planet, NYC, April 19, 2025, organized by 50501ny.org (c) Karen Rubin/news-photos-features.com

See also:

Tens of Thousands of Protesters Flood NYC Streets to Tell Trump, Musk, DOGE ‘Hands Off’

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© 2025 News & Photo Features Syndicate, a division of Workstyles,Inc. All rights reserved. For editorial feature and photo information, go to www.news-photos-features.com,email [email protected].Blogging at www.dailykos.com/blogs/NewsPhotosFeatures

New York Takes to Streets to Protest Trump & Project 2025 Agenda

People’s March, New York City, January 18, 2025 protesting against Trump and his Project 2025 agenda © Karen Rubin/goingplacesfarandnear.com

By Karen Rubin, News-Photos-Features.com[email protected]

The pink pussy hats are back, though not nearly the sea of pink of the 2017 Women’s March, the largest mass protest in history. This time, the hats and the signs demanding reproductive freedom and women’s rights were mixed in with the litany of protests that marked Trump’s first term.

People’s March, New York City, January 18, 2025 protesting against Trump and his Project 2025 agenda © Karen Rubin/goingplacesfarandnear.com

Hundreds turned out for the Peoples’ protest at Foley Square in front of the U.S. Courthouse to hear demands for women’s rights, protection against mass deportation of immigrants, workers’ rights, climate action, gun violence prevention, universal health care. They railed against the rising oligarchy – capitalism run amok – fascism and White Christian Nationalism, spiced with a return to imperialism and colonialism and the deadening of democracy – in essence, they were protesting the entire Trump Project 2025 Agenda and his handpicked sychophants and henchmen. A cornucopia of the greatest hits of the 2017-2021 term, with anticipation, recognition and outright fear that Trump 2.0 is far worse, more unhinged and more dangerous.

People’s March, New York City, January 18, 2025 protesting against Trump and his Project 2025 agenda © Karen Rubin/goingplacesfarandnear.com

“We march for many reasons but all for the same cause: defending our rights, our freedom and our future,” the organizers declared. “We are not going backwards.”

People’s March, New York City, January 18, 2025 protesting against Trump and his Project 2025 agenda © Karen Rubin/goingplacesfarandnear.com

“If you believe that decisions about your body should remain yours, that clean air and water are rights andnot privileges, that libraries should hold knowledge and not censorship, that gun violence must end, that healthcare and economic dignity are fundamental human rights—then this march is for you.

People’s March, New York City, January 18, 2025 protesting against Trump and his Project 2025 agenda © Karen Rubin/goingplacesfarandnear.com

“This is about our collective power and centering the communities that have always been at the frontlines of change: Black and Brown voices, Women, Trans & Queer youth, immigrants and working-class people have always been the backbone of resistance. Today, we rise together to demand a future where everyone is free to exist & thrive.”

People’s March, New York City, January 18, 2025 protesting against Trump and his Project 2025 agenda © Karen Rubin/goingplacesfarandnear.com

They marched

 • To demand racial justice and honor the leadership of frontline Black and Brown communities.

 • To defend women’s rights and reproductive freedom – the right to decide if and when to have children.

 • To fight for economic justice, fair wages and the right to retire in dignity.

 • To demand action on climate justice and ensure future generations have clean air and water.

 • To uphold the freedom to live without fear of gun violence or police brutality.

 • To protect our democracy and ensure every vote counts.

 • To stand in solidarity with trans and queer youth and defend their freedom to live their true selves without fear.

 • To guarantee healthcare & education are rights for all.

 • To recognize that people with disabilities face discrimination, lack of access and exclusion.

People’s March, New York City, January 18, 2025 protesting against Trump and his Project 2025 agenda © Karen Rubin/goingplacesfarandnear.com

“This march is a bold demonstration of resilience and resistance, to unite the people who’ve been the backbone of justice for generations, and to welcome even more voices into the movement. We march to demand accountability from civil servants and remind them they answer to us. We march to inspire, energize, and drive change..This is our moment to remind Washington elites—and every American—where the power truly lives: with the people.”

People’s March, New York City, January 18, 2025 protesting against Trump and his Project 2025 agenda © Karen Rubin/goingplacesfarandnear.com

The timing was significant – Saturday, January 18, before Trump is inaugurated (installed) by his facilitator, Chief Justice John Roberts, despite being an insurrectionist ineligible to hold federal office, instead of January 21, the day after as in 2017. Could it be because Trump has indicated he would order protesters shot, as he wanted to do to the Seattle protesters demanding justice for George Floyd, but was told then by one of his “guardrails” that it would be illegal. Trump 2.0 no longer has “guardrails” or even restraints – his pick to run the Defense Department, sex abuser Pete Hegseth, would not say he would refuse an order to shoot protesters, while Justice Roberts and his Imperial Supremes have granted Trump virtual immunity from criminal activity as long as Trump, even retroactively, labels it an “official act.” “Could he assassinate a political rival?” his attorney was asked? “Well, why yes,” was the reply.

People’s March, New York City, January 18, 2025 protesting against Trump and his Project 2025 agenda © Karen Rubin/goingplacesfarandnear.com

Trump will use any sort of protest to call out the National Guard with instructions to shoot, beat up, arrest, prosecute, imprison – or worse, seize powers under the Insurrection Act and declare martial law, which would give him further excuse to clamp down on the press along with protest, dissent of any kind. Because that is who he is and who is backing him – the Heritage Foundation and WhiteChristoFascist authors of Project 2025.  

People’s March, New York City, January 18, 2025 protesting against Trump and his Project 2025 agenda © Karen Rubin/goingplacesfarandnear.com

So it is likely that future protests will have to undergo a “benefit versus risk-reward” analysis, especially when people are right to be skeptical about what such protests even accomplish. After all, millions turned out in 2017 and over and over again during the course of his four years, protesting his family separation policy, his refusal to address climate change and his disdain for science, the explosion in gun violence literally promoted by his hate speech and call to violence and his nod to neoNazi extremists (he calls them “evangelists”) and for his impeachment, while politicians have proved they cannot be shamed and no longer even care what constituents want or need, only that the oligarchs continue to back them.

People’s March, New York City, January 18, 2025 protesting against Trump and his Project 2025 agenda © Karen Rubin/goingplacesfarandnear.com

Nonetheless, there is still an important reason to show up: it is to build community, to know you are not crazy for feeling your head will explode and the earth has tilted off its axis, to form new coalitions, and yes, to find new, better, more effective ways to resist and ultimately take back power.

People’s March, New York City, January 18, 2025 protesting against Trump and his Project 2025 agenda © Karen Rubin/goingplacesfarandnear.com

The strategy now seems to be for all the movements – women’s rights, gender and trans rights, workers rights, climate and environmental justice activists, gun control activists, criminal justice and immigration reform activists, and those who oppose autocracy, oligarchy, fascism and White Christian Nationalism – to unify.

People’s March, New York City, January 18, 2025 protesting against Trump and his Project 2025 agenda © Karen Rubin/goingplacesfarandnear.com

My question is: where were they BEFORE the election?

What will happen when – as Trump promises as soon as the day after inauguration – he unleashes “the biggest mass deportation in history,” uprooting parents and siblings from the 4.4 million U.S. citizen children who live with undocumented family? What will happen when raids are unleashed in workplaces, factories, hospitals, churches, courthouses, funerals, schools?  

People’s March, New York City, January 18, 2025 protesting against Trump and his Project 2025 agenda © Karen Rubin/goingplacesfarandnear.com

At the protest, there was a call to stand up, stand together “with our siblings” but how, exactly?

People’s March, New York City, January 18, 2025 protesting against Trump and his Project 2025 agenda © Karen Rubin/goingplacesfarandnear.com

At the rally in Washington Square Park, NYC Public Advocate Jumaane Williams pointed out that Hitler, who was democratically elected Chancellor and within 53 days had turned Germany into a fascist dictatorship, started with mass-deportation of Jews. Jews had lived in Germany for 1000 years, but it took just 10 years for Hitler to go from election to his Final Solution, the extermination of 6 million Jews. The Germans did nothing as Jews were forced from their homes into the streets where they were beaten and loaded onto cattle cars to concentration camps.

People’s March, New York City, January 18, 2025 protesting against Trump and his Project 2025 agenda © Karen Rubin/goingplacesfarandnear.com

What will people do when they see their neighbors being hauled out of their homes, from their workplaces, from church into “deportation” camps?

People’s March, New York City, January 18, 2025 protesting against Trump and his Project 2025 agenda © Karen Rubin/goingplacesfarandnear.com

With an executive order, Trump can (and will) impose the Comstock Act and cut off access to abortion medication – the lifeline to pregnant women in the two dozen states that now ban abortion, while his hand-picked Texas judge has restarted a case, brought by three other states, to ban mifepresone and the Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has sued a New York doctor for sending the abortion medication to a 20-year old Texas woman, even as the rate of maternal mortality spikes in Texas, pregnant women are dying for lack of access to emergency care, and 26,000 women have had to birth their rapist’s child.

But apparently, too few women have suffered or died for women (or the men who love them) to vote for Kamala Harris.

People’s March, New York City, January 18, 2025 protesting against Trump and his Project 2025 agenda © Karen Rubin/goingplacesfarandnear.com

Throughout the rally, there were calls for workers to defeat the capitalist oppressors, and to recognize that women’s reproductive rights are also workers’ rights, a matter of economic as well as social justice. Yet the meme is that Trump had great appeal to working class because of the cost of a dozen eggs and a gallon of gas. But how does Arnold Palmer’s cock, sharks, windmills have anything to do with the cost of eggs or gas, except that he also calls climate change (and disasters, including California’s wildfires) a “sham” and his answer to grocery and gas prices is to “drill, drill, drill” (at the same time, pay back Big Oil for the $1 billion paid into his election).

People’s March, New York City, January 18, 2025 protesting against Trump and his Project 2025 agenda © Karen Rubin/goingplacesfarandnear.com

Universal health care? The closest thing to that in history was President Biden’s campaign to end the COVID pandemic. Trump is intent on obliterating any notion of public health; he has threatened to withhold federal aid to schools that mandate children be vaccinated. One million people died from COVID-19, hundreds of thousands of whom could have been saved except for Trump’s mishandling and then the MAGA crusade against masks and vaccinations. What will happen when the next deadly pandemic hits especially with Trump naming RFK Jr as Health and Human Services Secretary and his interest in decimating the CDC?

People’s March, New York City, January 18, 2025 protesting against Trump and his Project 2025 agenda © Karen Rubin/goingplacesfarandnear.com

New York’s People’s March (peoplesmarch.com) was only one of some 300 held around the country, including Washington DC where thousands turned out, Los Angeles, San Diego, Detroit, Chicago, Austin, Las Vegas, San Francisco, Boise, Spokane, Columbus and Raleigh.

Here are highlights of New York’s People’s March.

People’s March, New York City, January 18, 2025 protesting against Trump and his Project 2025 agenda © Karen Rubin/goingplacesfarandnear.com
People’s March, New York City, January 18, 2025 protesting against Trump and his Project 2025 agenda © Karen Rubin/goingplacesfarandnear.com
People’s March, New York City, January 18, 2025 protesting against Trump and his Project 2025 agenda © Karen Rubin/goingplacesfarandnear.com
People’s March, New York City, January 18, 2025 protesting against Trump and his Project 2025 agenda © Karen Rubin/goingplacesfarandnear.com
People’s March, New York City, January 18, 2025 protesting against Trump and his Project 2025 agenda © Karen Rubin/goingplacesfarandnear.com
People’s March, New York City, January 18, 2025 protesting against Trump and his Project 2025 agenda © Karen Rubin/goingplacesfarandnear.com

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© 2025 News & Photo Features Syndicate, a division of Workstyles, Inc. All rights reserved. For editorial feature and photo information, go to www.news-photos-features.com, email [email protected]. Blogging at www.dailykos.com/blogs/NewsPhotosFeatures. ‘Like’ us at facebook.com/NewsPhotoFeatures, Tweet @KarenBRubin Threads: @news_and_photo_features

Long Islanders Mark January 6th Insurrection with Rally for Democracy

Rachel Klein of Engage Long Island, organized the Rally to Defend Democracy on the steps of the Nassau County Supreme Court in Mineola, to mark the 3rd anniversary of the January 6 insurrection, “January 6 was a wake up call how fragile democracy is.” © Karen Rubin/news-photos-features.com

By Karen Rubin, News & Photo Features

news-photos-features.com, [email protected]

Long Island activists marked the third anniversary of the January 6 Insurrection – the first time in US history where a sitting president attempted to overturn an election by sending a violent mob to disrupt the peaceful transfer of power – with declarations to stand up to preserve democracy against those who would install an autocrat, to be engaged in the political process and most of all, vote.

“January 6 was a wake up call how fragile democracy is. We didn’t want the day to go by without showing up in nonviolent support of democracy,” said Rachel Klein of Engage Long Island that organized a Rally to Defend Democracy on the steps of the Nassau County Supreme Court in Mineola.

The headliner was Tom Suozzi, who is running in NY-03’s special election on February 13 to return to Congress where he served for 6 years, filling the vacancy left by the disgraced, expelled fraudster George Santos, and take back the seat from Republicans.

Suozzi, who was in Congress during the January 6th insurrection, described in vivid detail what it was like for him during the attack, the terror of hearing the mob attempting to smash through the doors, hearing shots fired, how he was one of the last to leave the gallery where fellow Congressmembers were instructed to duck under seats and take out gas masks secured there.

Tom Suozzi, who is running in NY-03’s special election on February 13 to return to Congress, told the Rally for Democracy, “Keep fighting for what we know is right, so the greatest country in the world, the best hope for the world, is saved.” © Karen Rubin/news-photos-features.com

Suozzi quoted former California Congressman Tom Lantos, a Holocaust survivor, from a speech he wrote for the United Nations on World Holocaust Day, in 2008, “We must remember that the veneer of civilization is paper thin. We are its guardians, and we can never rest.”

“As President Biden said, you can’t be pro-political violence and pro-democracy – those things don’t go together,” Suozzi said. “You don’t understand how powerful you are, how important being here today is. Keep fighting for what we know is right, so the greatest country in the world, the best hope for the world, is saved.”

State Assemblyman Charles Lavine (D-AD 13) recalled how where the Supreme Court stands was once the Plains of Hempstead, and the site where British troops gathered to attack Washington and the rebels for the Battle of Brooklyn.

New York State Assemblyman Charles Lavine: “Remember January 6th this November – in orderly fashion, go to polls, stand in line and vote.” © Karen Rubin/news-photos-features.com

“History was made here. History is being made – standing up to tyranny. We saw the primitive brutality on January 6 – don’t want to see that again…In democracy, we accept election result, win, lose or draw. We don’t put together armed troops to contest an orderly transfer of power,” Lavine said.

“We  have come out in cold weather but our blood is boiling – the idea this could happen again, that an American president would be dictator, tyrant, despot,” Lavine said. “Will we let that happen? Not on our watch. There are days that live in infamy –Sept 11th, Dec 7th. Jan 6 is one. Remember January 6th this November – in orderly fashion, go to polls, stand in line and vote.”

January 6th has inspired political activism, including people running for office.

Community leader Kim Keiserman, president of Port Washington’s Democratic Club, a member of the steering committee of Concerned Citizens of NY-03 that played a key role in getting George Santos expelled from Congress, is now running for State Senate’s 7th district, taking on Republican Jack Martins.

Community activist Kim Keiserman, president of Port Washington’s Democratic Club, a member of the steering committee of Concerned Citizens of NY-03 that played a key role in getting George Santos expelled from Congress, is now running for State Senate’s 7th district  © Karen Rubin/news-photos-features.com

She recalled Election night 2016 when Trump was declared the winner, how she tossed all night, replaying his lies, his attacks on women, immigrants, people of color, Muslims, disabled, press, NATO, allies. “I worried he would escalate attacks, pursue Muslim Ban, appoint Supreme Court justices to overturn Roe, cozying up to Putin, undermine democracy and our standing in world and worried what four years of Trump would do to democracy.” All of which came to pass.

“We are still in tremendous trouble –the stakes in the next election higher than ever. The biggest mistake we can make is falling into despair or believing that nobody else cares as much as we do. We need to organize and get out the vote.”

Dr. Eve Meltzer-Krief also was motivated to run for the Suffolk County Legislature. She recalled joining the Women’s March on Washington seven years ago, less than 24 hours after Trump took the oath of office and gave his “American carnage” speech.

Dr. Eve Meltzer-Krief: “Our democracy can’t survive another 4 years – Trump is existential threat to country. At this moment, we must stand up, dig deep, defend democracy….None of these issues will matter if we don’t have democracy with which to raise our voices. © Karen Rubin/news-photos-features.com

“I understood the danger Trump posed to our democracy. We marched against his fascist tendencies, his attacks of fake news, the seeds of hate he planted – the two most powerful weapons a Fascist has in his arsenal. We know where hate, when politicized, can lead, especially when it comes from the mouth of the most powerful, loudest voice in the world: ‘Mexicans are rapists, Muslim ban, Jews will not replace us, he dehumanized immigrants, made it okay to rip young children from their parent’s arms, fomented hate against Asians, targeted public health officials – Dr. Fauci still needs body guards,” Dr. Krief said.

“During his presidency, every day, we had to think about what construct he shattered, what lie told, who he attacked, how democracy was weakened each day. Our democracy can’t survive another 4 years – Trump is existential threat to country. At this moment, we must stand up, dig deep, defend democracy. The world is an overwhelming place – divided in conflict – in the Mideast. Gun violence epidemic – yet another school shooting. A 12 year old rape victim forced to deliver. The hottest temperature the planet has ever experienced.

“It’s overwhelming – but none of these issues will matter if we don’t have democracy with which to raise our voices. We have to focus, dig deep. It can feel like the weight of world is on our shoulders. But if our democracy fails, democracies around the world will crumble. We are doing this for ourselves, our children’s futures and the world. We have to defend democracy. We can’t let democracy die on our watch,” Dr. Krief said.

Long Island activists marked the third anniversary of the January 6 Insurrection at a Rally for Democracy with declarations to stand up to preserve democracy against those who would install an autocrat, to be engaged in the political process and most of all, vote. © Karen Rubin/news-photos-features.com

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© 2024 News & Photo Features Syndicate, a division of Workstyles, Inc. All rights reserved. For editorial feature and photo information, go to www.news-photos-features.com, email [email protected]. Blogging at www.dailykos.com/blogs/NewsPhotosFeatures. ‘Like’ us at facebook.com/NewsPhotoFeatures, Tweet @KarenBRubin

Trump ‘Acquittal’ Triggers New Protests Vowing ‘We Will Remember in November’

Rally, march and protest in New York City after Trump acquitted by Senate Republican © Karen Rubin/news-photos-features.com

By Karen Rubin, News-Photos-Features.com

The widely anticipated vote to “acquit” Trump, impeached for abuse of power and obstruction of Congress, was never in doubt, though activists had hoped nationwide protests would shame Republicans into at least allowing witnesses and evidence into their show “trial”. But the activists are still determined for Trump to be held accountable – along with the Republicans in House and Senate who have been complicit enablers in higher and higher crimes and misdemeanors, breaching the public trust.

Mere hours after the Republicans voted to acquit – with the singular exception of Senator Mitt Romney who acknowledged Trump’s abuse of power – hundreds took to the streets, vowing to continue the protest, turn Trump out of office and “flip the Senate”. “We will remember in November,” they chanted as they marched from Columbus Circle, just across one of Trump’s Manhattan buildings, down 57th Street o Fifth Avenue, and passed the Trump Tower, to 42nd Street Public Library.

Rally, march and protest in New York City after Trump acquitted by Senate Republican © Karen Rubin/news-photos-features.com

About 2,500 people in all participated in the protest, met by fewer than a dozen pro-Trumpers.

They are calling for continued investigations and for Congressional oversight so that Trump isn’t able to skate away, as in the 2016 campaign, hiding his tax returns which most likely would have shown financial ties to Putin and Russian oligarchs (who made outsized donations to his inaugural and bought condos at inflated rates), and made secret payments to hush up a porn star, causing Trump to be labeled “Individual 1” in the prosecution of his “fixer” Michael Cohen, now imprisoned, and the 10 counts of obstruction of justice which the Mueller Probe found, saying they would have indicted but for a Department of Justice “policy” against indicting a sitting president.

Rally, march and protest in New York City after Trump acquitted by Senate Republican © Karen Rubin/news-photos-features.com

In reaction, Trump, who used the State of the Union like a political rally  – even offering to broadcast the names of donors “live” – followed up with continued smears against any and all who have opposed him, even threatening to unleash the Department of Justice to do the very thing – political witch hunt – that he says he was the victim of. Except that there has never been any evidence or any testimony offered that contradicts the crimes he is accused of, only the abuse of his political power to extort complicity.

Rally, march and protest in New York City after Trump acquitted by Senate Republican © Karen Rubin/news-photos-features.com

Indeed, it is now revealed that the Treasury Department, which has stonewalled lawful requests from Congress for Trump’s tax returns (it is actually a law), based on some sort of invasion of privacy of a US citizen, and has sequestered the mandated audit of Trump’s returns while in office, has been probing Hunter Biden to supply Senate Republicans with dirt.

The question is how long Republicans can ignore substantial majorities of people who want climate action, gun safety, immigration reform, voting rights and preservation of the Rule of Law and the fundamental premise that no one, not even a president, is above it.

There were more than 300 marches and protests around the country in towns large and small – marches in places from New York City and Petoskey, Michigan to Wasilla, Alaska; rallies in 46 states and Washington, D.C. and a “flash mob to say thank you to Sen. Romney” at his office in Salt Lake City.

Here are highlights from the rally, march and protest in New York City, one of dozens held around the nation on Wednesday, February 5, 2020:

Rally, march and protest in New York City after Trump acquitted by Senate Republican © Karen Rubin/news-photos-features.com
Rally, march and protest in New York City after Trump acquitted by Senate Republican © Karen Rubin/news-photos-features.com
Rally, march and protest in New York City after Trump acquitted by Senate Republican © Karen Rubin/news-photos-features.com
Rally, march and protest in New York City after Trump acquitted by Senate Republican © Karen Rubin/news-photos-features.com
Rally, march and protest in New York City after Trump acquitted by Senate Republican © Karen Rubin/news-photos-features.com
Rally, march and protest in New York City after Trump acquitted by Senate Republican © Karen Rubin/news-photos-features.com
Rally, march and protest in New York City after Trump acquitted by Senate Republican © Karen Rubin/news-photos-features.com
Rally, march and protest in New York City after Trump acquitted by Senate Republican © Karen Rubin/news-photos-features.com
Rally, march and protest in New York City after Trump acquitted by Senate Republican © Karen Rubin/news-photos-features.com
Rally, march and protest in New York City after Trump acquitted by Senate Republican © Karen Rubin/news-photos-features.com
Rally, march and protest in New York City after Trump acquitted by Senate Republican © Karen Rubin/news-photos-features.com
Rally, march and protest in New York City after Trump acquitted by Senate Republican © Karen Rubin/news-photos-features.com
Rally, march and protest in New York City after Trump acquitted by Senate Republican © Karen Rubin/news-photos-features.com
Rally, march and protest in New York City after Trump acquitted by Senate Republican © Karen Rubin/news-photos-features.com

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© 2020 News & Photo Features Syndicate, a division of Workstyles, Inc. All rights reserved. For editorial feature and photo information, go to www.news-photos-features.com, email [email protected]. Blogging at www.dailykos.com/blogs/NewsPhotosFeatures. ‘Like’ us on facebook.com/NewsPhotoFeatures, Tweet @KarenBRubin

March for Truth Rallies Demand Witnesses, Evidence in Trump Impeachment Trial

Stop the GOP Cover-Up. March for Truth, NYC calls for witnesses, evidence in Trump Impeachment Trial © Karen Rubin/news-photos-features.com

By Karen Rubin, News-Photos-Features.com

With chants of “No More Cover-Ups. We Want Witnesses” and “What do we want? Witnesses. If we don’t get it, Shut It Down,” protesters took to the streets in New York City as well as Washington DC and 30 other cities to demand Senators uphold their oath for an impartial examination of the truth before a vote to convict or acquit Donald Trump of his office as President of the United States.

In New York, a couple of hundred protesters organized by the NYC Coalition to Impeach and Remove gathered in Times Square, and then marched down to Herald Square. Here are highlights:

“Trump is Guilty.” March for Truth, NYC calls for witnesses, evidence in Trump Impeachment Trial © Karen Rubin/news-photos-features.com
“Demand Truth.” March for Truth, NYC calls for witnesses, evidences in Trump Impeachment Trial © Karen Rubin/news-photos-features.com
March for Truth, NYC calls for witnesses, evidences in Trump Impeachment Trial © Karen Rubin/news-photos-features.com
March for Truth, NYC calls for witnesses, evidences in Trump Impeachment Trial © Karen Rubin/news-photos-features.com
March for Truth, NYC calls for witnesses, evidences in Trump Impeachment Trial © Karen Rubin/news-photos-features.com
March for Truth, NYC calls for witnesses, evidences in Trump Impeachment Trial © Karen Rubin/news-photos-features.com
March for Truth, NYC calls for witnesses, evidences in Trump Impeachment Trial © Karen Rubin/news-photos-features.com
March for Truth, NYC calls for witnesses, evidences in Trump Impeachment Trial © Karen Rubin/news-photos-features.com
“Imminent Threat.” March for Truth, NYC calls for witnesses, evidence in Trump Impeachment Trial © Karen Rubin/news-photos-features.com
March for Truth, NYC calls for witnesses, evidences in Trump Impeachment Trial © Karen Rubin/news-photos-features.com
“Trump is Guilty.” March for Truth, NYC calls for witnesses, evidence in Trump Impeachment Trial © Karen Rubin/news-photos-features.com
March for Truth, NYC calls for witnesses, evidences in Trump Impeachment Trial © Karen Rubin/news-photos-features.com
March for Truth, NYC calls for witnesses, evidences in Trump Impeachment Trial © Karen Rubin/news-photos-features.com
Marching down Broadway. March for Truth, NYC calls for witnesses, evidences in Trump Impeachment Trial © Karen Rubin/news-photos-features.com
Grow a Spine. March for Truth, NYC calls for witnesses, evidences in Trump Impeachment Trial © Karen Rubin/news-photos-features.com
March for Truth, NYC calls for witnesses, evidences in Trump Impeachment Trial © Karen Rubin/news-photos-features.com
March for Truth, NYC calls for witnesses, evidence in Trump Impeachment Trial © Karen Rubin/news-photos-features.com
“Stop the GOP Cover-Up” March for Truth, NYC calls for witnesses, evidence in Trump Impeachment Trial © Karen Rubin/news-photos-features.com

Rallies were also held in:

Dallas, Texas

Phoenix, Arizona

Raleigh, North Carolina

Allentown, Pennsylvania

Sioux Falls, South Dakota

Maryville, Illinois

Lexington, Kentucky

Portland, Oregon

Hillsborough, Oregon

Brea, California

St. Petersburg, Florida

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Gulfport, Mississippi

Danville, Kentucky

Louisville, Kentucky

Hudson, Wisconsin

Bangor, Maine

Tucson, Arizona

Colorado Springs, Colorado

Clarksville, Tennessee

Salt Lake City, Utah

Denver, Colorado

Phoenix, Arizona

Chico, California

Anchorage, Alaska

Charlotte, North Carolina

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© 2020 News & Photo Features Syndicate, a division of Workstyles, Inc. All rights reserved. For editorial feature and photo information, go to www.news-photos-features.com, email [email protected]. Blogging at www.dailykos.com/blogs/NewsPhotosFeatures. ‘Like’ us on facebook.com/NewsPhotoFeatures, Tweet @KarenBRubin

Thousands Turn Out on #ImpeachmentEve in NYC to Protest for Trump’s Impeachment and Removal

Impeach Trump protest, NYC © Karen Rubin/news-photos-features.com

By Karen Rubin, News-Photos-Features.com

Several thousand people turned out to Times Square in New York City on Tuesday, December 17, despite a cold rain to protest for the impeachment of Donald Trump. It was one of about 600 such protests and rallies organized by a coalition of more than 100 organizations  including Rise and Resist, Moveon.org, and Indivisible, held across the country, in all 50 states, on the eve of the House debate and vote to make Trump only the third president in history to be impeached.  Over 160,000 had responded their intention to participate in the historic mobilization.

This is what the #ImpeachmentEve #ImpeachandRemove protest and march looked like in New York City (for a national overview, see New York Times, Rallies Spread on Eve of House Impeachment Votes).

Impeach Trump protest, NYC © Karen Rubin/news-photos-features.com
Impeach Trump protest, NYC © Karen Rubin/news-photos-features.com
Impeach Trump protest, NYC © Karen Rubin/news-photos-features.com
Impeach Trump protest, NYC © Karen Rubin/news-photos-features.com
Impeach Trump protest, NYC © Karen Rubin/news-photos-features.com
Impeach Trump protest, NYC © Karen Rubin/news-photos-features.com
Impeach Trump protest, NYC © Karen Rubin/news-photos-features.com
Impeach Trump protest, NYC © Karen Rubin/news-photos-features.com
Impeach Trump protest, NYC © Karen Rubin/news-photos-features.com
Impeach Trump protest, NYC © Karen Rubin/news-photos-features.com
Impeach Trump protest, NYC © Karen Rubin/news-photos-features.com
Impeach Trump protest, NYC © Karen Rubin/news-photos-features.com
Impeach Trump protest, NYC © Karen Rubin/news-photos-features.com

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© 2019 News & Photo Features Syndicate, a division of Workstyles, Inc. All rights reserved. For editorial feature and photo information, go to www.news-photos-features.com, email [email protected]. Blogging at www.dailykos.com/blogs/NewsPhotosFeatures.  ‘Like’ us on facebook.com/NewsPhotoFeatures, Tweet @KarenBRubin

Long Islanders Join Statewide Rallies for Climate Action, Tell Schumer to ‘Resist Trump’

Long Islanders join statewide rallies for climate action to tell Senator Schumer to act as a leader and ‘Resist Trump’ © 2017 Karen Rubin/news-photos-features.com
Long Islanders join statewide rallies for climate action to tell Senator Schumer to act as a leader and ‘Resist Trump’ © 2017 Karen Rubin/news-photos-features.com

By Karen Rubin, News & Photo Features

“Resist Trump” was the chant by some 300 environmental activists who rallied outside Senator Charles Schumer’s Long Island office in Melville during a statewide day of action, February 2. Similar rallies were being held at all eight of Schumer’s offices throughout New York State to demand that he show bold leadership to protect public health and the environment by telling Senators to use every tool at their disposal to challenge the corporate takeover of our democracy and reject Trump’s nominees and policies that would decimate the climate and the environment.

“Schumer’s announcement on January 30 that he will vote against several Trump nominees is a sign that he is hearing the message coming from the grassroots. Voting against oil and gas insiders is just the first step to resisting Trump’s anti-environmental agenda—bigger battles over drastic EPA budget cuts, clean air regulations, climate change, and fossil fuel drilling are on the horizon,” stated Eric Weltman of Food & Water Watch, the leading organizer of the Long Island rally.

Eric Weltman of Food & Water Watch: “As the nation’s most powerful Democrat, Schumer must lead the resistance.” © 2017 Karen Rubin/news-photos-features.com
Eric Weltman of Food & Water Watch: “As the nation’s most powerful Democrat, Schumer must lead the resistance.” © 2017 Karen Rubin/news-photos-features.com

“Donald Trump has wasted no time in setting out a clear agenda that threatens fundamental environmental protections. With clean air and water under attack, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer must lead his colleagues in standing strong against Trump’s science-denying Cabinet appointments and his climate-destroying plans,.

Weltman declared, “As the nation’s most powerful Democrat, Schumer must lead the resistance. He must vigorously oppose cabinet appointments, lead the charge against Trump’s plans to slash EPA budget, dismantle the EPA, resist plans for the Dakota and Keystone pipelines. He must motivate his fellow Democrats.

“Each day, we are sicker, more depressed, more fearful,” said Lisa Oldendorp, National Grassroots Organizer for Moveon.Org. “As difficult as these days have been, we are more worried about the days ahead. The small gains in climate action will be overturned, we will go back 70 years to the point of no return…

“Trump’s friends are not concerned about our future of the country or the planet. Their only god is profit. They are determined to frack more land, pollute more air. Make America Great Again? No, make a small group of millionaires even richer, plundering our lands.

Lisa Oldendorp, National Grassroots Organizer for Moveon.Org: “We’ve had a few weeks to mourn the election. Not it’s time to get off the pity pot and take action.” © 2017 Karen Rubin/news-photos-features.com
Lisa Oldendorp, National Grassroots Organizer for Moveon.Org: “We’ve had a few weeks to mourn the election. Not it’s time to get off the pity pot and take action.” © 2017 Karen Rubin/news-photos-features.com

“You may have said you are tired of fighting. That it’s hopeless. But you must continue to fight for environmental, economic, racial, social justice. Turn your anger into action for change…. A Small group of citizens can change the world. One person becomes a group, a group becomes a crowd. People power grows exponentially. Don’t tell me people’s protests don’t matter. They build consensus, a movement.

Long Island environmental activists tell Senator Schumer, “Resist Trump” © 2017 Karen Rubin/news-photos-features.com
Long Island environmental activists tell Senator Schumer, “Resist Trump” © 2017 Karen Rubin/news-photos-features.com

“The anti-Trump movement already eclipses the Tea Party at its height by 20 points. Democrats are finding our voice. Dissent and protest is happening on a greater scale. The New York Times in an editorial said Democrats simply cannot play by the old set of rules now that the Republicans are playing by new ones. [Neil] Gorsuch doesn’t deserve confirmation [for the Supreme Court] because the process leading to his nomination was illegitimate.”

Democrats have to mobilize for the local elections in 2017, try to flip the House and/or the Senate and take more state positions in 2018.

“We’ve had a few weeks to mourn the election. Not it’s time to get off the pity pot and take action.”

Ryan Madden, sustainability organizer for the LI Progressive Coalition, said the Trump election is a Trojan horse for corporate interests. “Pruitt, Sessions, Perry – every one a threat to the climate, the environment and our institutions… Attacks against environment, climate have the worst impacts on folks with the least ability to do something about it.” It’s a matter of economic and climate justice.

Jane Fasullo of the Sierra Club: “There is no alternate planet” © 2017 Karen Rubin/news-photos-features.com
Jane Fasullo of the Sierra Club: “There is no alternate planet” © 2017 Karen Rubin/news-photos-features.com

Jane Fasullo of the Sierra Club said simply, “There is no alternate planet. You can’t eat or drink money – maybe you can burn it for heat. Schumer, do your job.”

Dave Denenberg and Claudia Borecky of Clean Air Water Soil declared, “We want leadership from Schumer… We thought fracking was over in New York State. It might be coming back.” The Navy was the responsible agency for cleaning up the Grumman plume at Bethpage, Trump wants to walk away from paying for clean up, he said.

Dave Denenberg and Claudia Borecky lead a new environmental advocacy group, Clean Air Water Soil © 2017 Karen Rubin/news-photos-features.com
Dave Denenberg and Claudia Borecky lead a new environmental advocacy group, Clean Air Water Soil © 2017 Karen Rubin/news-photos-features.com

People carried signs such as “Tax Carbon. Trump Too.” “Tell the Con Man in Chief: You Can’t Fool Mother Nature. Take Climate Action.” A young boy held a sign, “Please don’t break my planet.” Others urged Schumer to “Resist Trump” and “Be a Leader.”

Just two weeks into the Trump Administration, resistance to Trump already exceeds that of the Tea Party at its peak © 2017 Karen Rubin/news-photos-features.com
Just two weeks into the Trump Administration, resistance to Trump already measureably exceeds that of the Tea Party at its peak © 2017 Karen Rubin/news-photos-features.com

The group then marched through the parking lot to the front of Schumer’s Long Island office and a few of the leaders, who had appointments, hand-delivered petitions, reporting back  that they were well received. “We’ll be back,” he said.

The simultaneous actions took place at all eight of Schumer’s New York offices (Buffalo, Rochester,  Syracuse,  Binghamton,  Albany,  Peekskill,  Melville and Manhattan), as well as in Washington, DC.

A boy carries a sign, “Please don’t break my planet.” © 2017 Karen Rubin/news-photos-features.com
A boy carries a sign, “Please don’t break my planet.” © 2017 Karen Rubin/news-photos-features.com

Sponsoring organizations include: Food & Water Watch, Long Island Progressive Coalition, Sierra Club, NYPIRG, MoveOn, Long Island Activists, Reach Out America, Slow Food North Shore, iEatGreen, 350.org, Long Island Clean Air Water & Soil, Public Citizen, Greenpeace

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© 2017 News & Photo Features Syndicate, a division of Workstyles, Inc. All rights reserved. For editorial feature and photo information, go to www.news-photos-features.com, email [email protected]. Blogging at  www.dailykos.com/blogs/NewsPhotosFeatures.  ‘Like’ us on facebook.com/NewsPhotoFeatures, Tweet @KarenBRubin