'We want the people to be heard': Hands Off! Rally draws 200 to Russell
RUSSELL The dreary weather on Saturday was cut by horns honking and cheers along Deidrich Boulevard as signs and chants reprimanded the current presidential administration lined the sidewalk.
'Democracy.'
The single-word answer was what organizer Patricia Stevens, president of Greenup County Democratic Women, said when asked what spurred her to action to set up a rally in Russell as part of the nationwide Hands Off! Protests.
'Democracy and showing people what they're losing,' Stevens added. 'A lot of people are here because they're simply worried about our democracy. I think that's the number one thing and our freedoms that we're losing. (Things like) social security, the SNAP program, education, DOGE, misinformation. and for the veterans, we've got to protect them too.'
'We want the people to be heard. We don't want a king. We want democracy. We fought for democracy,' Teresa James said.
The sweeping action being taken in Washington spurred many attendees to the rally.
'A lot of people want change and don't like the way their money's being taken so rapidly without due process and the way laws are being waved around willy nilly without due process,' Bren Martin, Chairwoman of the Greenup County Democrats, said. 'This isn't limited to Democrats, it's everyone.'
Attendees came from throughout the region.
'We have people here from Greenup County, Boyd County, Carter County and places in Ohio,' Martin said.
In addition to cuts to services protesters were spurred to action by Jan. 6.
'I was born in Middletown, Ohio, and my father was a 10th generation farmer. My aunts and uncles all served in the military and on Jan. 6, my 95-year-old father broke down in tears,' James said.
While others were there for workers rights.
'I am out here to protect my union rights,' Danny Sallie said. 'I am an international staff rep with the IUE CWA and this administration is attacking collective bargaining and that's why I'm standing out here.'
More than 200 attended the protest.
'We're very pleased that people saw fit to come and to speak up and show their signs,' Martin said. 'They're not alone in what they're feeling, and it's real what is happening.'
Sallie added he had concerns on the way his fellow veterans where being treated under the administration.
'I don't like the fact that they're taking away these veterans that fought for our country, these men and women, and they were in these positions at the VA and they are terminating their employment. That is so wrong,' Sallie said. 'We don't care to send our young Americans to fight, but we don't want to take care of them when we bring them home.'
The line of protesters stretched from the corner of U.S. 23 up to Tractor Supply. During the event cars drove by and honked horns, most in support, but some in protest of the protesters.
'It's been great,' James said. 'It's been pretty positive, every once in a while you can tell from a pruned up scowl they aren't agreeing with you, but that's alright.'
'I'm glad to see this many people in this area are interested in what's going on in Washington, D.C. and what's happening around us,' Sallie said.
Messages to the administrationWhen asked what message protesters would give to the administration, each had a unique answer.
'Keep your hands off of our contracts, treat us with respect and dignity, and quit trying to talk about draining the swamp. I mean, we have an elected official who's running around in DOGE,' Sallie said.
'Think about the people you're supposed to be taking care of, you're not taking care of them,' Cheryl Pennington said. 'You're taking care of the oligarchs, not the American citizens.'
'I would tell the administration to listen to the people and go by the constitution,' Stevens said. ' Make sure you follow the constitution and you have the best people around you who can guide you. We all need help and guidance and learning, we don't have that. But, that's what we need. We need to follow the constitution. To treat everyone equally and know that we're all Americans.'
'Get rid of him, no felon should hold the office of President,' James said.
Similar events occurred across the nation on Saturday, including rallies in Huntington and Morehead.
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