As the second Trump administration reaches its first-year mark, hundreds of people from across Connecticut gathered outside the State Capitol to protest.
“I have a lot of family and friends that are located in Minneapolis and just kind of sick of everything that’s been going on and really wanted to come out today and show support,” Julianne Alica of Glastonbury said.
Protesters are raising various concerns, including raids by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), deployment of troops in the U.S., the economy, and other issues.
“It’s just integrity. It’s lying to people he was going to help. It’s the economy. Health care is a big one,” Marcia Simon of Westbrook said.
This protest is part of a national campaign called “Free America Walkout.” More than 1,000 events are taking place nationwide, including several here in Connecticut. Organizers encouraged people to walk out of school, work, and call legislators.
“Has he done things that I don’t agree with? Sure. But I also think he’s tackled the economy. I think that he’s tackled foreign policy,” State Sen. Stephen Harding (R – Minority Leader), said.
Harding also talked about inflation rising during the Biden presidency and the costs now.
“Many of the people that were frustrated today had nothing to say when it comes down to the economy just crashing under President Biden, who was doing nothing about it,” Harding said.
But it’s not just protesters pushing back on President Trump’s policies. Attorney General William Tong has sued the administration nearly 50 times.
“He tried to cut SNAP benefits for people at Thanksgiving, take food off the table for people who desperately need food. How not just cruel and depraved is that? But we took him to court, and we beat him. We’re going to keep doing it,” Tong said.
Similar protests were also planned in Canton, Granby, and New Haven.
