On Saturday, energy ran high in downtown Durham as around 1,000 community members, chanting and waving posters reading “Hands Off Our Democracy” and “Resist, Resist, Resist,” gathered at CCB Plaza for the Hands Off! protest.
By 11 a.m., the downtown plaza was filled with demonstrators. The crowd spilled along East Chapel Hill Street as protesters chanted “Show me what democracy looks like; this is what democracy looks like” and “The people united will not be defeated,” while passing cars and trucks honked their horns in support.
The rally was in protest of deep cuts to federal programs by the Trump administration’s Department of Government Efficiency. It was one of over 1,300 such demonstrations that occurred across the country Saturday at state capitals, federal buildings, congressional offices and city centers.
Noting the size of the crowd, state Rep. Marcia Morey (D-Durham) urged attendees to write to their elected representatives and to spend their money consciously.
“Unity is power, and more than any time in our lives we must fight, we must resist,” Morey said to the crowd.
“[I am] very proud that Durham is stepping up, showing up. You know, we have to take action, and I think people realize that,” she said later in an interview.
Linda Belans, member of the Durham Cultural Advisory Board, encouraged attendees to sign a petition asking City Council members to “ say NO to mass immigrant deportation”. The petition calls on the council to protect immigrants, referencing the city’s mission statement, which includes the clause, “All Durham citizens are safe.”
The demonstration also attracted a surprise guest, Rep. Mike Levin (D-CA), who was in town for his 20-year Duke Law School reunion. “Obviously, I am not able to be there at home today, but I’m so happy that I’m here with everyone out here” he said to The 9th Street Journal.
As demonstrators began to march on Chapel Hill street, Levin took the bullhorn and spoke to the crowd.
“[Congress is] going to fight like hell for this country,” Levin exclaimed. “Our democracy is worth fighting back.”
Tiffany Husack, a therapist from Chapel Hill who works with young people, wants more of them to get interested in national politics and mobilize to vote.
“I am here because I care about people. I care about our country. I have children, and I care about the future,” said Husack.
As some protesters peeled off to march around downtown Durham, some stayed behind in the plaza, where musicians entertained the crowd, vendors sold clothing and jewelry and a free mutual-aid station organized by a local community member offered water, snacks, hydration packets and first-aid supplies.
Meanwhile, the Durham Democrats “Cuts Hurt” group passed out flyers detailing ways Durham community members can fight back against cuts in federal government funding, staff, and services.
Patti Millar, former president of BetterBallot North Carolina, made a pitch for the benefits of ranked-choice voting.
Millar said ranked choice voting would eliminate underrepresentation in government and give third parties more representation in elections.
“We have to fix gerrymandering,” said Millar. “We have to fix campaign finance reform. We have to fix these things or America is going to continue to be polarized and anxious.”
Above: Photos of Saturday’s “Hands Off” protest by Kulsoom Rizavi — The 9th Street Journal
