Hundreds rally for "Hands Off"

Yahoo

08-04-2025

PLATTSBURGH — Mary Gillen is afraid.
Standing, umbrella in hand, at the 'Hands Off' protest in Plattsburgh Saturday, Gillen described the fear that drove her to brave the rough weather and turn out that day.
'I am afraid that my granddaughter will grow up in a world where she has no rights and I'm afraid my son will fight in a war against a country who were once our allies,' she said.
'I am truly afraid of everything we have stood for being dismantled.'
'FREEDOM OF SPEECH IS STILL ALIVE'
Gillen was one of hundreds who gathered in Plattsburgh and one of thousands who gathered in more than 1,200 demonstrations around the country Saturday as part of the 'Hands Off' effort protesting the actions of President Donald Trump and tech mogul Elon Musk.
The Plattsburgh protest was organized by Show Up Plattsburgh, a group that has organized other rallies and community service efforts locally.
Show Up Plattsburgh founder Jesse Murnane told the Press-Republican that the gathering Saturday was 'a reminder that our freedom of speech is still alive and exercising our rights to do so is important.'
'It allows a safe place for people who are frustrated with the dismantling of federal policies and destruction of international relationships to come together and network,' Murnane said.
Murnane gave a count of roughly 850 people in attendance according to an overhead drone photo count.
'SOMETHING I CAN DO'
Protest signs at the Plattsburgh rally called out a range of issues including the deportation of immigrants, the Trump Administration's tariff policies and the efforts of the Musk-led Department of Government Efficiency.
Others voiced more general concerns over freedom, liberty and democracy with many branding Trump a fascist leader.
Attendee Steven Engelhart said he attended because he is 'horrified' of the direction he sees the government moving under the current administration.
Protestor Dan Yokum agreed.
'I am afraid for the future of our country, the present and the future,' Yokum said.
For some, the protest was an opportunity to have a feeling of doing something about the current political climate.
'It feels like there has been a lot of bad stuff going on, and I thought there isn't much I can do alone, but this is at least something I can do,' attendee Emily Powers said.
Many were surprised but happy with the level of participation despite the rain.
'It is wonderful to see so many people here and the fact they are all here in this weather says something about how they feel about what's going on in the government and that they care about democracy,' Gillen said.
For attendee Bill McDowell, the amount of people at the protest is a testament to how people in the North Country feel.
'It shows that people in the North Country care about the future,' he said.
ENSURING PROTECTIONS
Beyond protesting national political issues, Murnane said the rally was intended to show a message to local politicians of constituents' concerns over such issues affecting their communities in the North Country.
'I continue to focus on Show Up being a positive but strong reminder to our politicians locally that we have to pay attention to the issues coming our way and we need leaders to ensure protections or resources are available to our most vulnerable neighbors,' Murnane said.
Murnane said that she was pleased to see the turnout despite the poor weather.
'I was approached by young, vibrant attendees asking how they can get involved. This means, in my eyes, the rally was a success.'