On President’s Day, dozens of people gathered in Santa Maria to join nationwide protests against the Trump administration. The protest took place at the intersection of Broadway and Cook streets, where participants held signs with messages like “Fight against fascism” and “Democracy not oligarchy.” The event was part of a movement called “50 protests, 50 states, one day,” where people across the country demonstrated against President Trump’s second term.
Many of the local protesters were from the Democratic Club of Santa Maria Valley many expressed concern about the changes in the balance of power, especially when it comes to the role of judges. There was also discussion about ongoing lawsuits against the Department of Government Efficiency and its access to personal data.
Cyndi Cornett, a local resident, pointed out that the protest wasn’t just about political parties. She believed both Republicans and Democrats should be concerned about how the government was being run under Trump. The protest was peaceful, with people getting honks of support from passing cars.
Another protester, Gale McNeeley, suggested that instead of bashing the president, people should focus on suggesting policy changes. Overall, the event was a peaceful demonstration calling for change and highlighting concerns over the current state of the government.
