Hundreds of Vineyarders gathered at Five Corners in Vineyard Haven on Saturday afternoon as part of the national "Hands Off!" protest against the Trump administration’s policies and cuts to essential programs.
The crowds lined the sidewalks, stretching past the post office and Sweet Bites, chanting and carrying handmade signs telling President Trump and Elon Musk how they felt about them.
The Island event was organized by the local branch of Showing Up for Racial Justice (SURJ MV).
Mona Hennessy, one of the event organizers, said she was inspired to organize the event for Islanders who wanted take part in the national effort but could not make it to Boston.
“The purpose of Hands Off is to tell the Trump administration and Elon Musk hands off our education, our social security,” she said. “To the dismantling of democracy, the people say no.”
Rita Brown, another member of SURJ MV, addressed the crowd before handing over the microphone to a group of student speakers.
“From the White House to the Pentagon, the halls of Congress, large corporations, our large universities and small towns, we have come too far in the fight for racial and economic justice and we are not going back,” Ms. Brown said.
Three students from the Martha’s Vineyard Public Charter School spoke to the crowd, while drivers honked their horns in solidarity as they drove through the intersection. Bangii-Kai Bellecourt, a member of the Wampanoag Tribe of Gay Head (Aquinnah), told the crowd that President Trump’s attempt to suspend federal funding for reservations would leave thousands of tribal members without basic necessities.
“I’m scared, I am worried, and I am fearful for what this means for my future and the future of my people,” Mr. Bellecourt said.
Student Zora Morais told the crowd that a part of her crumbles when she watches the news, citing the actions of the United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and laws limiting reproductive healthcare.
“I fear the world we live in and what the future holds, but I will not let children grow up in a world where this inequality is normal, because it isn’t,” she said.
Nicola Capece, a junior at the charter school, said she was eight years old when President Trump was first elected.
“One of the most important things I’ve realized in my time as a student is understanding the patterns and structures of historical events,” she said. “We’ve been watching dystopian headlines arise. It feels like they are trying to take away our education.”
Steve Maxner, a veteran, spoke to the crowd about how federal spending cuts have affected the Island community — specifically the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs’ (VA) decision to not renew a contract for veterans counseling with Martha’s Vineyard Community Services.
“In my view, the VA has done an outstanding job,” he said. “The issue lies with the present government’s recent, often thoughtless, chainsaw approach for eliminating things from the federal budget.”
State Rep. Thomas Moakley also attended the rally.
“In Massachusetts, we still believe in science. In Massachusetts, we still believe in the dignity of every individual,” Mr. Moakley said. “Thank you for being here. This makes a difference.”
The crowd was made up of people of all ages, from young children to grandparents.
Edward Zlotkowski said he had his family in mind when he traveled to Five Corners.
“I’m an old man. I don’t want to tell my grandchildren that I didn’t do anything,” he said.
Jason Jarrell, a junior at the regional high school, held a sign demanding his rights back. It was his second rally this week. He had organized a protest at the high school against anti-trans legislature on Monday,
“I can’t just sit at home and watch them take away my rights,” Mr. Jarrell said.
He stood with his mother, Scarlet Johnson.
Ms. Johnson has been protesting for years. She first started protesting for reproductive rights, but her focus has expanded to include other issues.
“Protesting makes me feel like I’m doing something and it energizes me to send money to the organizations that are doing the ground work,” she said. “It gives me a sense of connection.”
Banker White came to the protest with his wife, father-in-law and two children. He emphasized, though, that his children and their friends wanted to come of their own accord.
“They are all very aware and feel like they are able to exercise their own voices,” he said. “Everyone probably came here for different reasons, but for everyone to stand together in unity is very important.”
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