Illegally deporting immigrants and separating parents from their children. Using the military both for his birthday parade and to suppress protesters. Cutting funding to those who don’t support him and accepting multi-billion dollar planes from foreign countries. Blatant scapegoating through homophobia, xenophobia, racism and sexism. And that’s only a few months into his presidency.
“I would describe America right now as very close, if not already in, fascism,” said junior Thea Rosal. “We have to be out there exercising our right to assembly right now.”
In cities across the USA, countless people are outraged by the current administration and are using that right to assembly. In June, most protests were centered around President Trump’s deportation of immigrants. From Houston to New York City to Los Angeles, these protests have taken over the country.
But protests aren’t just happening around us, they are happening here at RM. On May 1st, senior Rosie Clemans-Cope organized a walkout against fascism.
“I held a walkout here at Richard Montgomery because we know that when students rise up, fascists fall,” said Clemans-Cope. “The goal is to show the world that people, especially us students, can unite, because to achieve political goals, it can’t just be one person against the world, it has to be a group of people that see the threat and are willing to act on it, because apathy is really our greatest problem.”
Thirty-five people walked out on the first day of May and gathered in the bus loop, but numerous people were banned by their parents from walking out due to fear, emphasizing the point of such a walkout. The walkout was joined by Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich and Councilmember Evan Glass, who made speeches to the crowd.
Junior Thea Rosal is also fighting against the administration, working with Mayday collecting signatures to put pressure on our representatives to call for the impeachment of President Trump.
“I don’t think that Trump is going to get impeached,” said Rosal. “But it’s good to organize, it’s good to demonstrate. It’s good to show our political adversaries, so to speak, that we can organize and that we can resist this. But it’s also good to show people on our side of the political spectrum that action is possible.”
Regardless of the direct outcome of such protests, they are undoubtedly spreading awareness. The news has a constant flow of coverage of these protests, and even just driving into D.C., one can see impromptu protests out on the sidewalks.
“I think the best move in times like these is to build community more than anything. I think what building a community does is it provides some sort of fortification. If people are organized, it’s easy for them to take action,” said Rosal.
Historically, especially in the United States, it has been strong organizations that have brought societal change. Whether through political groups, religious ones, or even universities, communal ties can help carry resistance to success. The National American Woman Suffrage Association led women to gain the right to vote in 1920, the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People fought for equality for African Americans and current organizations continue to fight for the rights of the people.
Even with the prevalence of protests in the USA, some feel the cause is hopeless. But Clemans-Cope and countless others believe that the candle of hope has not yet been extinguished.
“I believe there is hope,” said Clemans-Cope. “I see hope in all the people that came to the walkout. I see hope in the messages that people have been sharing through speeches, and I see so many people ready to mobilize to make sure that we have a livable and a better future.”
