Community members, The Raging Grannies march in protest of Trump administration

On Tuesday at about 1 p.m., about 200 people marched down Franklin Street for the 50501: The People’s Movement March for Democracy. 

The crowd had marched from the Chapel Hill Town Hall to the Peace and Justice Plaza, holding signs reading “Congress, where is your backbone,” “Dump Trump, be gone Elon” and "Save our democracy.” 

50501 is a grassroots movement organized by independent volunteers. According to their website, the group works to foster peaceful conflict resolution within states and organizations through dialogue, collaboration and mutual understanding. 

Kate, the march's organizer who asked to be referred to by first name only out of concerns for her safety, said in a speech to the crowd that she was pleasantly surprised how many people attended, given she had very recently thrown together the event.

“When I heard that they [50501] were going to do one on March 4, which is March for Democracy, and because Trump is going to be speaking today to Congress, I went on their website,” Kate said. “At that time, eight days ago, there was no protest in North Carolina at all. And I kept checking back, and I didn't see one, so I decided to do one here in Chapel Hill.”

She said once she decided to organize the protest she filled out the information on the website and was contacted by the organization.

Soon enough, Kate was making flyers, putting them up around town and telling her friends. She said the turnout goes to show you that people are desperately looking for something to do, and a way to stand up, take action and speak their minds. 

The Raging Grannies, an international, non-violent social justice group which conveys their message through song, asked Kate on a whim to perform a couple of songs for the crowd. On Tuesday, they performed songs with original lyrics that highlight issues they have with President Donald Trump's administration. The group has been active since 1986.

The group sang a few songs with titles like “Now You’ve Pissed Off Grandma” and “Raging for Social Security,” both of which focused on the group's qualms with attacks on medicare and excessive military spending. 

“We're bringing the message of all of the things that are being threatened by the new administration, not just our Social Security and our Medicare, but our immigrant population is living in fear.” Vicky Ryder, member and songwriter of The Raising Grannies said. “Every morning I wake up to a new horror in the headlines. And for those of us who've lived through some horrific times before, we just feel that we owe it to the coming generations to make sure that you still have your freedoms and your liberties, and that you use them.” 

Ruth Zalph, the oldest member of the local Raging Grannies branch at 94, echoed Ryder, and said the Trump administration is on the wrong track and has been for a long time. She said she thinks people are going to suffer because of the recent tariffs imposed by the Trump administration. 

Many people at the march were also holding signs, urging people to donate and wearing clothing in support of Ukraine along with their protest of the Trump administration. 

“Diplomacy is the way to go.” Ryder said. “Unfortunately, we have an administration now that knows nothing about diplomacy, and they are bullies, and we are the bullies of the world. It is time we stood up to say no to that as well.” 

Kate said that it's important for people to understand what the Trump administration is doing is for their own power and their own goals. She said people have to use protests and any means they can in order to stop it. 

She urged people multiple times throughout the event to donate to organizations they believe are doing good work, make calls to their representatives and not to give up. 

“People really want to do something," she said. "They want to speak up. And I do too.” 

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