Resist Trump. Support the Free Press.
A close look at a rally in Medford, Oregon, organized by the Second Congressional District group of "Indivisible."
"Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances."
Tuesday the topic was a free press. The crowd marched to Congressman Greg Walden's office and then to the Mail Tribune newspaper office. This rally had it all: free speech, encouragement of a free press, people peaceably assembling, and petitioning the government for redress of the grievance of the potential loss of the ACA. There even signs regarding religion: don't target any one religion, the sign said.
Speakers stood on the steps of the courthouse and addressed the crowd of perhaps 250 people.
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| Hand made signs |
One speaker noted Trump has called the media "the enemy of the people" which undermines a significant check on tyranny. It is happening right now in Russia, with Russian journalists being shot or poisoned. Without an independent view of what is happening Americans cannot keep their government accountable. Buy subscriptions to newspapers and magazines, she urged.
A journalism professor at the local university said his classes were filling up and young people were excited about journalism again. Students believe journalism can make a difference in the world.
A host of a public TV show warned of Trump's successful branding of Lyin' Ted, Crooked Hillary, and now "the dishonest media" and "fake news." He warned Trump is re-shaping how Americans see the media, rebranding them as untrustworthy, linking the word "dishonest" to the media.
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| Jeff Golden, speaking. Jessica Sage, organizer in foreground |
The rally was well organized and orderly. Street monitors in orange made sure people crossed streets safely. The crowd kept an open pathway between the steps and the sidewalk--a condition of the permit for the rally. There is no electricity on the courthouse steps so the event used a portable bullhorn. Rally-goers were cautioned to avoid confronting a small counter-rally of a few Trump supporters they might meet along the route.
More photos of the rally.
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| Immigrants |
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| Three million American Muslims |
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| Veteran |
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| Humorous signs |
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| Anti Trump |
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| Street Crossing on the signals |
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| Sign at the rally |
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| Chides Democratic Sen. Ron Wyden for vote for Zinke to Interior Secretary |
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| Sea of people and hand made signs |
2 comments:
Hi Peter, I'm with this Indivisible group. I just wanted to say thank you! My granddaughter -who marches with us in her stroller- and I were at Kid Time today and saw the fish market sign with your name on it! Very nice! I'm also on Southern Oregon Liberals. Sorry you left but I understand. Nice blog!
Hello, Mary. The administrator of the Southern Oregon Liberals group apparently kicked me out of the group. She had read my blog and had written that some of my comments "flew in the face" of liberal thinking. I have said that Hillary's position on guns feel right for a great many urban people but that gun are considered "tools" and are associated with family hunting fun for a great many people in rural areas, including the 2nd District. At first I was shocked. I have been a liberal Democratic elected official, an aide to a liberal Democrat, and now I am writing to try to help guide progressive Democrats out of an electoral hole by refocusing them on ways to get people into the middle class and away from the identity politics of aggrieved voting blocks. On reflection, I consider it confirmation that my blog and its 400 or so average daily readers is actually saying something useful.
Peter Sage
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