Protesters march in Uniontown as part of national “Rage Against the Regime” demonstrations
Demonstrators gathered at the George C. Marshall Memorial Plaza in Uniontown Saturday as part of a nationwide protest against President Donald J. Trump and his policies.
The “Rage Against the Regime” protests were organized by the 50501 Movement, which also organized “Good Trouble” demonstrations honoring the late congressman and civil rights leader John Lewis last month and “No Kings” anti-Trump protests in June.
The Uniontown protest, hosted by the Democratic Women of Fayette County, was one of more than 300 rallies that took place across the country, focused on bringing communities “together to transform anger into action, harnessing the energy of collective resistance,” according to a 50501 news release.
“We are witnessing an erosion of fundamental values, and we refuse to stand idly by,” said Tracy Wilson, President of the Democratic Women of Fayette County, which hosted the event. “This rally is about showing the current administration that the people of Fayette County will not fall in line with their authoritarian rule. We are here to fight for a future where justice, equality, and compassion prevail.”
The demonstrators protested Trump’s push for mass deportations, his handling of the files surrounding Jeffrey Epstein, the elimination of federal funding for public media, cuts to federal agencies and programs including the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the United States Agency for International Development and the Department of Education, the impact of tariffs on the economy, and gerrymandering of congressional maps.
“I’m concerned about the fact that this administration has been trampling all over the Constitution and the laws of this country. They’re basically ignoring the law of the land, the Constitution,” said Beth Magie of Smithfield, a veteran who served in the U.S. Air Force, who wore a Veterans Against Trump T-shirt and carried a U.S. flag. “I work for an electronics manufacturing company that gets a lot of electronics from overseas and it’s being hit with tariffs.”
At around 11 a.m., about 30 protesters arrived, carrying signs bearing messages like “If you’re not outraged, you’re not paying attention,” “No Alligator Alcatraz,” “How I met your recession,” and “My wages are not for billionaires’ tax cuts!”
The protesters and their signs were met with honks of approval from passing cars and thumbs-up from motorists, but at least two trucks “rolled coal,” driving past the protest and blowing exhaust smoke at the crowd, and another driver waved the middle finger.
Emily Gabelt, 27, of Uniontown, has attended several anti-Trump protests in the past six months.
“I feel like I can’t just sit down and not say something while so many awful things are happening. It doesn’t feel right to be locking people up, ripping people away from their families without due process and sending them to other countries,” said Gabelt, who said it’s important to stand up for immigrant communities. “America is supposed to be the melting pot and we need to do something about upholding that.”
Also among the protesters was a 97-year-old Fayette County woman, Dorothy, who was accompanied by her daughter, Donna, who asked that their last names not be shared.
“My mother is an avid voter, and she votes by mail-in ballot. She’s very concerned about voters’ rights and wanted to be here. It’s her second time coming here,” said Donna. “My biggest concern is the expansion of executive power, and the executive branch taking over all of the legislative actions that should be spread among the three branches of government. The Senate is asleep at the wheel, and the House of Representatives doesn’t protest anything. We’re headed down the pathway toward authoritarianism.”
Anne Buchanan of Chalk Hill attended her first protest, with her dog, Piper, in tow.
“This man is taking our democracy away from us, and we have a voice in this,” said Buchanan, clad in red-white-and-blue shorts. “I’m just happy to be out here with neighbors who feel the same way.”
Jackie and Don Slifer of Uniontown also turned out for the protest. Slifer said he hasn’t attended a protest “since the Vietnam era.”
“But if there’s ever a time to stand up and be counted, now is the time,” said Don Slifer.
Wilson said the Democratic Women of Fayette County will continue to hold protests each Saturday at the plaza, with the exception of the last Saturday of the month, where the protests will be held in Connellsville.
“It’s important to stay visible in the county and to let people know they’re not alone, and now is the time to take a stand,” said Wilson. “I don’t want my grandkids, when they look back at this time, to think that I didn’t do anything.”