In a show of resistance against the Trump administration, hundreds gathered on Boston Common Saturday afternoon, voicing concerns over government policies they perceive as detrimental to human rights and due process.
Among the demonstrators was Amy Jarvi, a teacher from Westford, who expressed her worry for the country, stating, “All humans should have human rights, and that’s why our country was founded.”
These protests have become a frequent occurrence since Trump began his second term in January, with activists rallying almost weekly against his administration’s aggressive initiatives.
After four years out of power, the Republican president’s team wasted no time in implementing changes aimed at reducing government programs, increasing deportations, and silencing dissent.
Supported by allies like tech billionaire Elon Musk, who leads the Department of Government Efficiency, the administration argues that these moves are essential to address the issues of illegal immigration and overspending associated with liberal agendas.
However, demonstrators argue that these actions primarily benefit Trump’s wealthiest supporters rather than the average American.
Samanta Carias, a staff member at Tufts University, questioned how the administration’s policies help working people. She asserted that only “Trump and his billionaire bullies” stand to gain from these changes.
The protest featured various signs, one of which was held by 67-year-old Mary Beth Murray, who donned a costume reminiscent of George Washington or Paul Revere.
Murray’s sign depicted Trump adorned with a British crown, proclaiming, “No Kings! No Tyranny.” She criticized the president’s pursuit of power and glory as antithetical to the founding principles of the United States, saying, “Our forefathers would be rolling in their graves if they ever knew what was happening right now.”
Numerous participants voiced alarm over Trump’s perceived disregard for constitutional rights. A focal point of criticism has been the administration’s handling of deportations, particularly the case of Rümeysa Öztürk, a Tufts PhD candidate whose student visa was revoked, leading to her detention prior to imminent deportation.
Her situation is ongoing in the courts, and other cases have surfaced highlighting concerns about due process.
One notable instance is that of Kilmar Abrego Garcia, who was sent to a prison in El Salvador without a hearing. Despite federal authorities claiming this was a mistake, they suggest evidence links him to the violent MS-13 gang. This has led to a standoff with federal courts demanding his return for a hearing.
At the Waltham protest, 77-year-old Vietnam veteran Dennis Sanchez articulated the disillusionment felt by many.
“This is not the country that I was brought up in,” Sanchez said. He emphasized the protesters’ mission to defend due process, freedom, and fairness.
In Quincy, 40-year-old Meg Wheeler urged attendees to remember the history of uprisings against unrepresentative governments.
Referring to common people who stood up 250 years ago, she encouraged her fellow protesters not to lose hope, remarking on the importance of their collective actions: “Progress is made with a million little actions. Together, we are going to take back our country.”
As the rally concluded, the sense of community and determination lingered in the air, with one protester turning to another and saying, “See you next Saturday.”
image source from：https://www.bostonglobe.com/2025/04/19/metro/trump-protests-lexington-concord-no-kings-boston/
