At 4 p.m. Saturday, April 5, on U.S. Highway 40 at the Safeway intersection, about 350 Grand County residents protested about actions by the Trump organization affecting our democracy. Protestors know that cutting Medicaid funds will affect our most vulnerable neighbors, especially those reliant on Cliffview Assisted Living, and that local staff cuts at agencies that manage our public lands will desecrate our crown jewels. Protesters peacefully raised their voices in unison about thoughtless cuts to Medicare, Social Security, health care, education and many other essential programs.

The signs say it all: Hands Off Social Security, Hands Off Medicaid, Hands Off our personal information, Hands Off a woman’s right to choose, Hands Off veteran’s benefits, Hands Off our democracy! Over 1,200 rallies across all 50 states brought 3 million people to protest the draconian changes that mark the first 70 days of the Trump administration.

Protesters are angry that their voices have not been heard by this administration, so the solution is to speak as “we the people.” Our democracy is based on this fundamental principle, not the whims of the richest man in the world who is leading Trump’s efforts to dismantle the pillars of our society.

Help your fellow citizens fight for the rights of our friends, our neighbors, our seniors, our veterans, our disabled, our public lands, our schools, our farmers and our freedom of speech. Together we can truly make our county Grand!