Last Saturday, October 18, near the Williams Cemetery in New Martinsville a large group of protesters turned out to show their displeasure with President Donald Trump’s policies, authoritarianism, and rise to becoming the King of America. Dozens of signs pointing out his administration’s actions against the military, health care and social programs were held high throughout the crowd.

Although the protestors were peaceful throughout the demonstration the group was subject to one passing highrise pickup truck driver releasing what sounded like a gunshot. Another anti-protester spit and threw water on members of the group as they burned out their tires sending gravel flying. The same big truck driver veered toward the crowd causing a lady to fall backwards. No police were present at the time to give warning to passing vehicles of the large crowd’s presence. However, they did show up later to inform the peaceful group that they needed to move some cars which were not in the roadway but were parked o n state road property.

By far the majority of passing vehicles were in agreement of the protest as they smiled, waved and blew their horns to offer support. The protesters ranged in age from a couple years to a few in their eighties. They were made up of everyday people wanting to show their displeasure with the direction our present government is going.

Standing as the first member of the community to be seen by passing cars was Mark Cockran, Local constitutional expert.

“I am here because I am concerned about the Constitution and the rule of law. Our Constitution is in its death throes at the current time. The separation of the three branches of government is all but gone. If the people in this country don’t step up and realize what is happening, our future is mighty bleak. I can’t predict the future, because prediction is a risky business, but I believe if we stay the present course, it won’t be good.”

Among the crowd was a gentleman who felt he needed to show his thoughts on the direction for Labor Unions. Vice -President of the Marshal Wetzel Labor Council Glenn Gunto stated, “As a proud Union Member, the rights of union members and citizens are currently at stake, and it is my duty as a union member and citizen to come out and protest what is happening in our country. I believe protests such as this in a small community can make a difference, and I wanted to be part of that movement to help protect union rights.”

Three ladies who felt it was important to speak with one voice, expressed their reason for being part of this protest, Susie Hill, Elizebeth Chandler and Cecilia Fiest, each said they felt President Trump is creating a country in which he wants to be King and the leader of an oligarchy society controlled by billionaires. They also felt their biggest fear is the erosion of the health care system in our country.

Diane Anderson traveled to New Martinsville to be part of the protest. When asked why it was important for her to be part of this event she replied, “Things are getting out of hand, we are watching as our rights are being taken away and Trump and his administration is fashioning a country where he is King and not the people’s President.” When asked how changes affect her personally she stated, “I am getting ready to retire and I can see the danger of my future benefits being taken away.”

He and his administration have said that isn’t going to happen. “With so many lies being told by him and his people, I am afraid that my future benefits will be gone and I will have no say. This is my way of saying it is not right,” she added.

Kim Frum, President of Wetzel County Democratic committee helped to organize the protest. When asked why this was important. She stated, “We as citizens have to show our concerns with what is happening in our country. We need to stand up and show we care, and we want this government to know we are not happy with the direction it is going. Wetzel County is predominantly a Republican County, but I believe citizens are realizing the direction we are going may not be what they voted for.”

One protester who returned home from Washington DC, Jill Latchana came home to protest and make sure people are aware of the medical benefits that will be lost when the Affordable Care Act ends at the end of the year.

“Rural Hospitals in West Virginia are in need of funding. They work on a very low margin, my elderly parents who remain here may lose some options come December 31st when programs will be cut. One trillion dollars has been cut in funding. Then the administration replaced one billion and boasted of its return funding to rural hospitals. This is not a red or blue issue; it is a funding issue for rural America,” she said.

Each person interviewed had a different reason to be part of the day’s protest. It was evident that everyone was clear in their thoughts for the future of our country and the need for all sides to come together to bring civility and freedoms back into our lives.

Not one person interviewed spoke against the other party. They just believe that in our country people should be able to work out the important issues that affect us all, health care, education, security and the ability to be able to afford to live beyond the poverty level. No one made any reference to wanting the moon, they only wanted their rights to freedoms and the ideals of an American democracy.

In large and mid-size cities across America, protests were organized to say, “America is not an Empire ruled by a King.”

When the news on Saturday morning reported on the nation’s protest, they reported that they were going on in large and small communities. The town of New Martinsville was mentioned as one of the hundreds of communities holding a “No King Protest Rally”. The protesters said, ” our community really does matter.”