NEW BEDFORD — A couple dozen protesters took to the pedestrian bridge over Route 18 linking Purchase Street to the New Bedford MBTA station to protest Trump Administration policies regarding civil rights, healthcare and democratic values.
The “Bridge Brigade” brandished signs to the traffic passing underneath from 4 to 5 p.m., and many were planning to go to a related rally at Fairhaven High School from 5 to 7 p.m.
The events were organized by Indivisible South Coast New England in partnership with Mass 50501, Mujeres Victoriosas, and the Greater Southeastern Massachusetts Labor Council, according to a press release.
The coalition hosted the events under the banner of “Good Trouble Lives On,” inspired by the late Congressman and civil rights activist John Lewis’s call to action for peaceful protest and civil disobedience. More than 1,500 rallies were planned nationwide, according to organizers.
Good Trouble protesters hold up signs to passing cars from the pedestrian bridge crossing Route 18 in New Bedford.
Asked why they had turned out, participants had this to say:
Christine LeJacq-Smith was one of the organizers with Indivisible South Coast New England. She said, “We’re here because of the horrific situation that’s happening in our community with immigrants being snatched off the street, no due process, and being left in prisons. Their families don’t know what’s going on. So we’re here standing with them, preserving our democracy.”
Julie Devi, also with Indivisible South Coast New England, said, “It’s a national day of action for John Lewis, the anniversary of his passing. Good Trouble Lives on. We’re bringing attention to that and saving democracy.”
Victor Mailey of Dartmouth said, “I’m out here to protest the Republican nonsense that is going on in this country. It’s as easy that, especially the ICE terror in New Bedford.”
Erin Patterson was out with her daughter Taylor, members of local activist group Democracy Unleashed. Erin said, “It’s tough times out there. It’s a very different country we’re beginning to live in. What it’s going to take to make it right is us. Obviously, we can’t rely on our government to do anything so we’re the ones that need to stand up against everything that’s going on. We have people being kidnapped right off our streets here in New Bedford. It’s just too much. Our community needs to come together. We’re stronger together.”
Good Trouble protesters hold up signs to passing cars from the pedestrian bridge crossing Route 18 in New Bedford.
Ed Parr said, “I’m out here basically because I just disagree with the way Trump is running the country. There are numerous things, starting with immigration issues. And this recent budget that he passed that is taking away healthcare and food from people in the United States. I’m here to protest all of that, against authoritarianism basically.”
‘I’m here for my country. I love this country.’
Frances, who did not wish to give her last name, said, “I’m here for my country. I love this country. This country was built on immigration. And there’s no such thing as illegal immigration. There are people who have come here without documentation but nobody’s illegal. This is what this country was built for and I’m here to support that. I’m here to support migrants and immigration.”
A man who did not wish to give his name, said, “The regime in Washington, which is taking control of everything and just formed a private army that will start coming after all of us who disagree with their fascist regime.”
Good Trouble protesters hold up signs to passing cars from the pedestrian bridge crossing Route 18 in New Bedford.
He was with his wife. She said, “The only hope we have left is the people rising up and protesting in large enough numbers. That’s why we’re here.”
One woman said she was a public school teacher, which prevented her from giving her name. “My daughter is transgender and autistic and it feels like she has a bullseye on her right now. I’m doing what she doesn’t feel safe to do right now.”
She added it was hard to teach the Constitution when the country’s leaders weren’t following its principles. Civics has also become difficult to teach, she said.
This article originally appeared on Standard-Times: Protesters gather in New Bedford in national outcry on Trump policies