To mark International Women’s Day, about 200 people turned out to protest President Donald Trump’s administration on Saturday.
Hundreds of people gathered in front of City Hall in Downtown Athens on Saturday. The protest was organized by Indivisible 10 and the Athens-Clarke County Democratic Committee. Demonstrators held signs reading “America was built by immigrants,” “My Body, My Choice,” and “We did not elect Elon.”
Morgan Switzer, who joined protesters, said she showed up to continue protest movements that had begun in previous years.
“I feel like we all need to be showing up at this time. I think 4 years ago there was more energy and taking to the streets and now I think people are a little more afraid, a little more hesitant…and I think it’s really important for us to come out and show we’re all here in solidarity and it’s a safe place and we’re not going to be bullied into sitting back and taking everything the current administration is doing right now.”
Shelby Branch is the Chair of the Athens-Clarke County Democratic Committee. She says threats to abortion access motivated her to help organize the protest.
“Abortion rights being taken away was really something that struck in me in a way that politics hadn’t struck me before and I think that’s because reproductive freedom is so closely tied to a women’s liberation…and that’s not just about me that’s about all women and I think that can be a very close line that sets us over the edge that eventually leads to the discrimination of women that we haven’t seen in a very long time in this country. So if we don’t reverse it, I think things could get a lot worse.”
About five counter protesters were also at City Hall demonstrating against abortion access and rights for transgender people.
