Crowds Fill County Courthouse Grounds to Protest Trump Actions

Greg Wilson/Anderson Observer

Close to 500 protestors filled the area in the shadow of the Confederate Memorial statue on the Anderson County Courthouse grounds downtown on Saturday to sound off against the Trump administration's cuts to the federal government and its polices.

Senior citizens, working adults and teenagers lined the Main Street sidewalks in front of both courthouses carrying homemade posters and chanting "Hands Off" (our Social Security, Our Medicare, Our Education, Our Voting Rights, Our Jobs, Our Medicaid…).

The crowd was lively and joyful, prompting the blare of horns and some “thumbs up” salutes from drivers passing the crowd.

The peaceful protest was part of an organized nationwide effort of more than 2 million protestors, including those in every state on Saturday, aimed at mobilizing citizens to remind the current Administration they are displeased with the taking away such things as national parks, local and rural hospitals, Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid and other things which are in the process of being cut or dismantled.

Anderson City Police helped keep folks out or the roadways and were patient and friendly with the protestors, who finished their event around 1 p.m.

Erin Goss, who helped organize the event, says it’s likely to be the first of more to come in Anderson.