'Hands Off' Protests Locally and Around the Country Attract Unexpectedly Large Crowds
Busse optimistically opines on changes in the Montana electorate and the potential for change in the U.S. House; locals look forward to working together and with others to defend our constitutions
By Denise Rivette (photos courtesy Dana Adams)
Nationwide
Nationwide, it is estimated by numerous sources that well over the 500,000 who registered with Hands Off rally organizers showed up around the country on Saturday to take part in protests. Although key organizers of Hands Off include progressive organizations such as Move On, protesters across the political spectrum took part. Citizens who showed up were concerned about many issues including veteran services, social security, public lands, Medicaid, the rule of law, our Constitution and protecting the freedoms that a liberal democracy brings.
According to Britannica, liberal democracy is a “form of democracy in which the power of government is limited, and the freedom and rights of individuals are protected, by constitutionally established norms and institutions.”
Francis Fukuyama (American political scientist, political economist, international relations scholar, and writer) writes, “…the following underlying principles are broadly recognized as fundamental to liberal democracy:
pluralism and toleration (that is, the dispersal of political power among a variety of interest groups and the acceptance of conflicting political viewpoints or priorities between groups);
the resolution of political disagreements, where possible, within a constitutional framework and through the rule of law;
the separation of powers (including the operation of an independent judiciary); and
the protection of individual civil rights.”
STATEWIDE
Ryan Busse, former Democratic nominee for Montana governor and former firearms executive, posted on Substack a piece entitled Something Has Changed: A short weekend note of reality and hope. He was among the protestors and reflects on the political environment, the natural tidal shifts that occur in midterm elections and why that makes Ryan Zinke, Representative for Montana U.S. District 1, a target for Democrats. A couple of excerpts are presented below:
“Montana is far more complex and hopeful than lazy reporting suggests; it’s not ‘all red.’ There is still a progressive thread in the people here, and as proof, Jon Tester, who lost his statewide senate race, won the western house district (MT01) by nearly 3000 votes.”
I’ve personally been involved in and spoken at literally hundreds of events. I know what it’s like to work to drum up people to attend protests and rallies, and I’m here to tell you something has changed. There were people in the crowd yesterday who were familiar to me, but there were hundreds I had never seen at any political event. Many of them spoke to the crowd. And importantly, the whole thing was “organized” by new people and organizations that have never been at the forefront of large movements. Together, the crowds across Montana exhibited a mix of desperation, fear, and hope.
For other coverage of the Hands Off rallies across Montana:
Montana Free Press: More than 1,000 rally against Trump and Musk at Montana Capitol
The Daily Montanan: ‘Hands off our Democracy’ rallies draw thousands across Montana
LOCALLY
Locally, Hands Off rallies were held in Red Lodge and Columbus. The Red Lodge rally was sponsored by the Carbon County Democrats and was well attended by a diverse crowd. A couple of anti-protestors coal rolled by but did not dampen the spirits of the assembled citizens exercising their constitutional right to peacefully protest.
Dana Adams, secretary for the Carbon County Democrats, was asked about the spectrum of people who turned out. “We had several veterans (I’m a Marine Corps veteran myself), teachers, geologists, local business owners, retirees, ranchers, stay at home moms, artists, and many more!”
Adams organized the event including a sign making day on March 30 at the Red Lodge Carnegie Library. She described the general mood:
“People are frustrated and angry about the Trump/Musk/Gianforte Administrations and want to do something to speak up about it. Lots of the members from the Carbon County Democrats have been focusing on the Montana state legislature that remains in session until May 9th. Individually, we’ve been sending lots of emails and initiating phone calls about bills and it felt good to get outside together as a group and rally! We anticipate more rallies to come under these administrations and look forward to working with people of all political stripes to defend our constitutions and the people they were designed to protect.”
