By RICK MILLER
Olean Star
Eighty-five people participated in the Rage Against the Regime 2.0 protest at Lincoln Park Saturday afternoon.
Hundreds of dollars in personal items to be distributed to the homeless were contributed by participants in the protest against President Trump and his policies.
The protest was organized by the local Voices of the People Movement.
Monthly local protests against Trump and Rep. Nick Langworthy began in March outside the congressman’s Olean district office in Blue Bird Square. They quickly outgrew that location and generally protest now at Lincoln Park. As many as 600 people participated in the No Kings 2.0 protest there last month.
Jessica Davis of Olean, one of the organizers of Saturday’s demonstration, told the Olean Star it’s important to keep up the protests.
“It’s showing in ruby-red America, this is not what America should be. We are a constitutional republic, also known as a democracy, not an oligarchy.”
Another one of the organizers, Chanel Welch of Olean, who wore a tiger outfit and carried a sign that read Tigers Against Tyranny said, she was upset over Trump calling six senators and congressmen words seditious, and said they should be hanged. The lawmakers, all veterans, including Sen. John Kelly of Arizona, called on U.S. soldiers and national guardsmen to refuse to obey unlawful orders.
“That’s the craziness we’re in” observed Davis.
“I’m still upset about the healthcare mess” created when Republicans and Trump refused to negotiate with Democrats to extend subsidies for Affordable Care Act policies,” Davis said. “Premiums are likely to double or triple,” she added.
“He (Trump) hasn’t fixed the economy yet either, Davis said. “Even Fox News has Trump polling at 37%.”
Rich Gardner of Olean summed up why he and others were out demonstrating against Trump’s policies. “We have to keep up the fight, or it will be worse.”
Across East State Street, a single counter-demonstrator, Dave Neely of Olean, stood with an American flag over his shoulder and a bullhorn to match the anti-Trump crowd. He shouted back that their anti-Trump chants were getting old. “Trump is your duly elected president. Get used to it.”
