For at least the third time this year, on Saturday, April 19,community members gathered at WKFL Park in Homer to protest the Trump administration.
Some signs were familiar holdovers from previous rallies, bearing messages like “PEOPLE POWER” and “SAVE DUE PROCESS,” while others spoke to more recent impacts. One sign read “Trump’s Tariffs LOST the Alaskan Dividend $2 billion dollars in 3 Days.” In smaller writing, at the bottom, it read “That’s over $2400 for every resident in Alaska!” Another read “Reject Christian Nationalism.”
The event, dubbed the “Sustained Resistance, Makes a Difference” rally, was organized and supported by the Homer Women of Action Committee, which mobilizes around local and national issues. Organizer Sandra Garity said in an email Monday that the final attendance count for Saturday was 639 people.
“The public has shown that they have a voice and want to do something,” she wrote.
The rally was part of nationwide “day of action” spearheaded by the 50501 movement, a grassroots coalition calling for “resistance and resilience” against the Trump administration. Organizers called for people to take action in their own way on Saturday, whether through protest, outreach or community organizing.
Homer’s protest was among a number taking place across the state. A news segment by MSNBC’s Rachel Maddow spotlighted protests in Alaska, citing those in Homer, Soldotna and Seward, among others.
The segment also included a photo taken by former Homer News editor Michael Armstrong featuring Homer protester and author Shelley Gill standing with a tooth-shaped sign sign that read “Fight Truth Decay.”
Maddow’s show has more than 2 million viewers and the YouTube clip of her report on the nationwide protests had more than 300,000 views as of Tuesday morning.
Reach reporter Chloe Pleznac at chloe.pleznac@homernews.com.
Protesters stand with signs in defense of democracy and education on Saturday, April 19 at WKFL Park during the “Sustained Resistance, Makes a Difference” Rally. (Chloe Pleznac/Homer News)
A protester stands with a sign that reads “DEPORT ELON” on Saturday, April 19 at WKFL Park during the “Sustained Resistance, Makes a Difference” Rally. (Chloe Pleznac/Homer News)
Two Homer women ring “bells for freedom” on Saturday, April 19 at WKFL Park during the “Sustained Resistance, Makes a Difference” Rally. (Chloe Pleznac/Homer News)
A protester holds a sign that reads “JUSTICE AND EQUALITY FOR ALL” on Saturday, April 19 at WKFL Park during the “Sustained Resistance, Makes a Difference” Rally. (Chloe Pleznac/Homer News)
A man stands with a protest sign on Saturday, April 19 at WKFL Park during the “Sustained Resistance, Makes a Difference” Rally. (Chloe Pleznac/Homer News)
Artist Mavis Muller holds up a sign that reads “STOP THE OLIGARCY” on Saturday, April 19 at WKFL Park during the “Sustained Resistence, Makes a Difference” Rally. (Chloe Pleznac/Homer News)
A protestor stands with a sign that reads “FULLY FUND NOAA” on Saturday, April 19 at WKFL Park during the “Sustained Resistence, Makes a Difference” Rally. (Chloe Pleznac/Homer News)
Former Alaska State House Representative Paul Seaton holds a sign that reads “Hands Off Healthcare” on Saturday, April 19 at WKFL Park during the “Sustained Resistence, Makes a Difference” Rally. (Chloe Pleznac/Homer News)
A protestor throws a peace sign on Saturday, April 19 at WKFL Park during the “Sustained Resistence, Makes a Difference” Rally. (Chloe Pleznac/Homer News)
A flag flies on Saturday, April 19 at WKFL Park during the “Sustained Resistance, Makes a Difference” Rally. (Chloe Pleznac/Homer News)
Protesters stand with an American flag and a sign that reads “DEFUND HATE” on Saturday, April 19 at WKFL Park during the “Sustained Resistance, Makes a Difference” Rally. (Chloe Pleznac/Homer News)
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