ANDERSON — A group of local residents are concerned about recent Republican-backed initiatives at the state and federal level.
They decided to express those concerns while marching from the Blue Bridge near Ninth Street to the Madison County Government Center downtown Saturday.
“This is not normal,” said Terri Austin, a former Democratic state representative, during remarks before the march kicked off.
“I don’t care how they try to smooth talk it — this is not how democracy works. We have to be willing and have the courage to stand up and talk to our family, friends and neighbors about why this is not normal.”
About 100 people gathered for the march, part of a nationwide network of “Hands Off” rallies that have been organized since the beginning of April to protest policies being advanced by the administration of President Donald Trump.
One of those initiatives is the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility Act, a bill requiring people to provide documentary proof of U.S. citizenship when registering to vote. The bill passed the U.S. House earlier this month but faces an uncertain path in the Senate.
The bill has come under fire from voting rights advocates who fear that its proof of citizenship requirements – including a passport or birth certificate – could prevent married women who have taken their husband’s name from voting.
“We need to communicate with our elected officials at all levels — let them know we are not happy,” Austin told those assembled at the rally. “We still have time to weigh in on the SAVE Act.”
After Austin’s speech, the demonstrators made their way to the courthouse.
“This is what democracy looks like,” marchers chanted as they went.
Motorists passing the courthouse saw a variety of concerns being expressed in the form of signs, including some related to education and social security.
“I retired as a federal employee,” said Becky Watkins, president of the Madison County Women’s Democrat Club. “I have paid into Social Security since I was 16. And like many others my age, we paid into it all of our lives.
“Since I retired in December, I’ve worried that I wouldn’t get a check. It’s very concerning.”
Other expressed concerns about legislation emerging from the Indiana Legislature during the current session.
Liz Farmer, a special education teacher at Anderson High School, said she was concerned about funds being diverted from public schools to private and charter schools.
“I think a lot of people don’t understand that we serve all kids,” she said. “Kids that enter those private school systems, charter schools, the services they need aren’t available and the charter schools are not obligated to take or keep them. They could kick them out at any time.”
Farmer said she is also nearing retirement age, so Social Security and women’s rights are other chief concerns for her.
“I thought we were done with this back in the 70s,” she said, “but here we are again.”