Protesters flock to Litchfield Green to protest Trump administration actions

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LITCHFIELD, Conn.—Protesters cheered and motorists honked their horns as about 100 persons gathered on the green in Litchfield the night of Tuesday, March 4, in support of democracy as Americans have known it.

They chanted, “Say it loud, say it clear, Democracy is why we’re here,” or “Light for our Democracy” as they lined up along Route 202, holding candles and waving signs that said everything from “A rapist in the White House? Unthinkable!” to “Democracy Not Oligarchy.”

Waves of cheers rose each time passing cars honked.

The event, part of a nationwide effort, was sponsored locally by the League of Women Voters of Litchfield County and attracted protesters from as far away as Poughkeepsie, N.Y.

“I saw it online and there was nothing happening in Poughkeepsie, so I had to be here,” said Casey Brown, as she held up a large placard that said, “There is NOT Enough Room on this Sign for All of the Reasons I AM HERE.”

The turnout was substantial, considering the hour and the season. The rally did not begin until 8:30 p.m. on a cool winter night. It was scheduled to coincide with President Donald Trump’s Address to a Joint Session of Congress.

At 9 p.m., just as Trump began to speak, the line went quiet as the group observed a moment of silence.

The nation has been stunned by the rapidity of change that has taken place during the first two months of the Trump administration, even though the Republicans had proffered a clear road map of what they intended to do if elected.

“I am old enough to remember World War II, said Meredith Penfield of Litchfield, adding that Trump and his allies are using many of the tactics used by totalitarian leaders. “I never valued Freedom of Speech, newspapers and all of that as much as I do now. It’s a precious, precious thing. Education is key, which I should have known as a teacher.”

She said she had met a doctor the night before who was alarmed that the Trump administration canceled a crucial FDA vaccine advisory committee meeting, potentially delaying flu shot production for the upcoming season.

One participant, William Koldys, an actor who lives in Torrington, said he was joining the group “reluctantly.” His reluctance sprang not from disagreement with the group’s sentiments, but from his belief that waving placards and shouting slogans has no effect. Instead, he advocates passionately for concrete actions that would directly affect the pocketbooks of the “oligarchs” clustering around the Trump administration.

“We need a widespread, bold, decisive action to send a message of ‘no confidence’ to our current government,” he said.

He advocates for monthly protests, increasing in length by one day in each subsequent month. “Pick one day the first month as a day of individual protest: do not go to work, do not spend money anywhere on anything—no shopping, no entertainment, no gas purchases, no online shopping, no eating out, Just stop for one day,” he said.

On that day, constituents should overwhelm Congressional phone lines with protests, he said.

He was passionate about financially punishing the MAGA billionaires that support Trump. “Withdraw all your money from the stock market,” he said. “Stop giving your money to the mega wealthy MAGA billionaires to use, or to corporations who place a much greater value on profits than they do on the lives and wellbeing of Americans. They pay zero in federal income tax. That is how much they care about America.”

He suggested that Americans put their funds in a secure place—a Certificate of Deposit or a money market account not invested in the stock market.

“Pick a corporation that supports the Trump/Musk agenda and boycott it,” he urged. “Never buy anything from Amazon and Jeff Bezos again. We got along without Amazon before, and we can do it again. Don’t subscribe to the Washington Post—he is telling us what to think. Each month select another corporation that has no regard for the lives and well-being of the people and kick them squarely in the profits.”

He expressed disdain for the Democrats who have failed to act decisively in the face of the turmoil in Washington, D.C. “Where is the charismatic Democratic leader?” he asked, saying he had blasted Bernie Sanders for his suggestion that momentum start with local organization, and derided Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer’s ineffective criticisms of Trump’s actions and comments. 

“The Democrats have got to start thinking outside the box,” he concluded as he moved across the green toward the line of protesters.