Americans across the country gathered on April 5 to protest and tell the Trump administration to keep its “Hands Off” of American Democracy.
In Indiana, people gathered at the statehouse for a similar protest held by the 50501 movement, called “Remove, Reverse, Reclaim.” 50501 stands for “50 states, 50 protests, one movement,” and has had protests throughout the past few months of President Donald Trump’s current term, including a march for women at the Indiana State House on March 8. The “Remove, Reverse, Reclaim” protest held on April 5 fully stands for “Remove corrupt politicians from office, reverse the damage and reclaim our democracy,” according to the movement’s Facebook page. According to USA Today, more than 500,000 people RSVP’d to attend one or more than 1,200 protests nationwide. Several Hoosier protesters at the event spoke about their desire to uphold the United States Constitution and hold their government accountable.
“The biggest thing to me is the voiding of the Constitution,” one protester, Tonya, said. “We’re not following the constitution that our Founding Fathers put together … it’s supposed to be checks and balances, but those aren’t working and the GOP is kind of failing at their job. It’s really not red or blue anymore, it’s rich versus poor, and it’s obliterated the middle class, and I want my children to have a better go at things than myself and protect the most vulnerable of our society.”
According to the Brennan Center for Justice, the Trump administration has violated the Constitution in addition to breaking several other laws. For example, Trump’s attempt to limit birthright citizenship via executive order, which was subsequently blocked by the First Circuit Court of Appeals and several federal judges in different states, according to the Associated Press and National Public Radio. According to ABC, at the “Hands Off” protest in Washington, D.C. Rep. Jamie Raskin, D-Md., made the distinction that the U.S. Constitution does not begin with “We the dictators.”
“We just have to win over evil,” Karen Steurwald, another protester at the statehouse, said. “It’s insane how far it’s gone and how quickly it’s gone, and we’ve got to do something. Decent people have to do something … but today has been really positive. I’m glad to see so many white, middle aged men and people standing up with us.”
An Indiana federal employee said she was grateful to finally get out to a protest because she has been frustrated at the current administration but was not sure what she could do. Her and her 14-year-old daughter attended the protest together, cheering along with the crowds and waving their signs. The federal employee said she loved seeing how many people were in attendance, especially since Indiana is a red state, and the political climate can make some Hoosiers feel lonely and helpless sometimes.
Cathy Holdt, another protester at the statehouse, said she does not want to see the country change in the ways the Trump administration is trying to force. Holdt’s sign was about protecting social security, which is currently being targeted by Trump’s and Senior Adviser to the President of the United States Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency, according to USA Today.
“There’s so much frustration, fear and loathing about what’s happening,” Holdt said. “I grew up in a military family, my dad was a Marine Corps, he served in World War II and in Korea, and he would be turning over in his grave at what’s happening, and I want to be able to do something, and at least I can show up here and witness for my beliefs and my values.”
