MORRISTOWN – It’s time to be “bold.”
Sarah Best was so convinced of that, she said it twice.
Best, the Deputy Director of Policy and Communications at Planned Parenthood Action Fund of NJ, was one of the speakers at a Saturday rally in this historic town.
Officially, the rally was held to commemorate International Women’s Day, but make no mistake, this was an anti-Trump rally.
And it drew around 400 or so people who congregated on the lawn of town hall to hear speeches, wave signs and, really, just to express opposition to Trump, Elon Musk and the MAGA movement. One of the sponsors was the Morris County Democratic Committee.
Some stood on the sidewalk waving signs at passing motorists, some of whom beeped their horns in support.
Signs included the norm for such an event:
“Resist.”
“Dump Trump.”
“Dump Musk.”
Others were a bit, to use Best’s term, bolder. One said:
“If I wanted the government in my uterus, I’d F…. a senator.”
Politics these days is no longer a PG-sport.
That’s a bipartisan observation, given all the obscene comments about Democrats that I’ve seen on signs at Trump rallies.
A large Ukrainian flag was also on display, reinforcing the argument that the Trump Administration is now siding with Russia, and not the U.S. ally that the Russians invaded three years ago.
An upside down world to be sure.
Best’s point was that it is time for rally attendees and like minded souls to take “bold” action in opposing the Trump agenda.
That is a logical suggestion, but as has been pointed out nationally, Dems lack a cohesive strategy.
There could be a reason for that and it was displayed on one of the many signs being held aloft. It said something to the effect that, I am mad about so many things, I can’t put my finger on any one of them.
Indeed.
Opposition to Trump includes – and this is a partial list – the indiscriminate firing of employees, the power of an unelected Musk, the turn to Russia, dictatorial behavior (Trump naming himself head of the Kennedy Center) and outright silliness in regard to Greenland and Canada.
It is tough to focus on one issue.
In New Jersey, however, there is something today’s protesters can do – that is to get involved in the gubernatorial race. It is eight months away, but time moves quickly.
None of the six Democratic candidates for governor attended the rally, which seemed a bit curious.
No matter, this year’s gubernatorial election is destined to be a local mandate on the rule of Donald Trump.
The question is, will these rallies increase Dem interest and turnout?
The Insider NJ recently released a report shedding light on the controversial nature of the anti-Trump rally that took place in New Jersey. The rally, which was organized by a coalition of activist groups, drew a large crowd of protesters who were vocal in their opposition to President Trump and his policies.
One of the main points of contention highlighted in the report was the presence of counter-protesters at the rally. These individuals, who were supporters of President Trump, clashed with the anti-Trump protesters, leading to tense and sometimes violent confrontations. The report noted that law enforcement had to intervene to prevent further escalation of the situation.
Another controversial aspect of the rally was the use of inflammatory language by some of the speakers. According to the report, several speakers made derogatory remarks about President Trump and his supporters, which further fueled tensions between the two groups. This raised concerns about the potential for violence and hate speech at future rallies.
The Insider NJ report also touched on the impact of the rally on the local community. While some residents supported the protest as a form of free speech and expression, others were critical of the disruption caused by the large crowds and heightened emotions. Business owners in the area reported a decrease in foot traffic and sales during the rally, leading to financial losses for some establishments.
Overall, the Insider NJ report highlighted the complex and divisive nature of political protests in today’s society. While freedom of speech is a fundamental right, it is important for protesters to conduct themselves in a peaceful and respectful manner. The report called for greater dialogue and understanding between opposing groups to prevent further conflict and promote unity within the community.
