05-03-2025
Protesters gather on overpasses ahead of Trump's speech to Congress
LONGMEADOW, Mass. (WWLP) – Protestors gathered along highway overpasses in Holyoke and Longmeadow Tuesday morning ahead of President Trump's highly anticipated speech to a joint session of Congress.
President Trump is set to give his first address to Congress since returning to the White House on Tuesday. Trump has only been in office for 43 days, but has a long list of actions so far.
President Trump's tariffs on China, Mexico, Canada in effect Tuesday
'This is not just an address to Congress, not just an address to the American people in the United States,' said political consultant Tony Cignoli. 'This one's going to be watched around the world.'
Supporters understand his agenda, placing the recent tariffs as a way to decrease the national debt, but others are concerned over his actions since he was inaugurated.
'My father fought in World War II, and I never thought what he fought for would be at risk in this day and age,' said Richard Vella of Southwick.
Social justice advocates gathered on highway overpasses ahead of the address, holding banners in protest of Trump's agenda. Members of Rise Up Western Mass want others to see that they aren't alone if they are worried with the current administration.
'People are very, very frustrated, and we want to let our fellow Americans know that not everybody is on board with this,' said Rise Up Western Mass member Tom Peine.
President Trump will address the joint session on Congress Tuesday at 9:00 p.m., which can be watched here on 22news.
WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Watch the 22News Digital Edition weekdays at 4 p.m. on
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