FACE OUR FEARS: Fascism thrives in the silence.
To overcome authoritarianism, we must stand up in solidarity. Pittsburgh did just that on Saturday, April 5, as thousands of protesters peacefully took to the streets during three separate protests. Protesters organized by 50501 marched in Schenley Plaza at 12:30pm, on Fifth Avenue in Shadyside at 5:00pm while Indivisible hosted a Downtown protest at 12:30pm. Mitch Kates, executive director of the Pennsylvania Democratic Party told WESA that approximately 6,000+ attended Indivisible’s protest.
I attended the Indivisible protest, as I hadn’t yet covered one organized by this group. Familiar faces from 1Hood Media were front and center, as was Tracy Baton, a longtime activist and community organizer, telling the crowd that they should “follow Black women,” speaking to the moment and the movement. She introduced Marine Corp. veteran, attorney and former PA Representative Conor Lamb as “hopefully Pennsylvania’s next Senator.”
“Everyday this President acts like the Constitution doesn’t exist,” said Lamb, addressing the crowd. “Well I think the main reason we are here today is to tell him that the Constitution is bigger than you!”
Thousands of people from all walks of life were in attendance, with speakers representing LGBTQ+ rights, racial justice, those living with disabilities and the scientific community. The crowd was fired up, chanting “Hands off, you jagoff,” in response to the proposed cuts to Medicaid and Social Security.
Disability advocate, Alisa, spoke of her need for Medicaid because of her progressing MS — of living on just over $1,000 a month — and of what would happen if she no longer could receive the care she needed.
Reality Check: She reminded us that eugenics started here, in the United States.
She compared those living with disabilities as the canary in the coal mine. “I’m starting to choke,” she said. “You may not need Medicaid right now — but you’ll miss it when it’s gone.”
Dena Stanley, a Black trans woman and the executive director of TransYOUniting, encouraged people to call their representatives and to activate in order to prevent more harmful anti-trans laws from passing. “We are tired. The orange man has to go and until he is gone, we are going to call all of our elected officials and ask them what are you doing because enough is enough. Hands off!” she said.
“I stand here for all of my trans babies, the poor people, the queer people and I say — you [Trump] will not win.”
There were so many powerful speeches throughout the event, including Subha R. Das, Associate Professor of Chemistry at Carnegie Mellon University. He shared his story of being an immigrant from India and a proud American. “The research here in America is so special because it required coordination of university researchers, the NIH, FDA and pharmaceutical companies over many years. This is the ecosystem that makes the United States a world leader in biotechnology. It’s why I wanted to come to the United States to study,” he said, pausing to hold back tears.
You could hear his voice shake. It reminded me of the reality that we don’t do things because we aren’t afraid. We do them in spite of fear. We stand up for one another even when our hands tremble, even when our eyes well up and our voice shakes. What makes us Americans IS our diversity. What makes us Americans IS this collective strength because of our unique lived experiences, talents and rich cultural backgrounds. We should be celebrating our differences and our shared humanity.
What I saw on Saturday was the very best of us. Those willing to stand and fight for who we are as a people. A people who care about each other. That is what makes America great.
Until next time, take care of yourselves and each other.
- In solidarity, Natalie
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