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All across the Commonwealth, people came out on May Day to say “We Are the Many” to the Trump/Musk authoritarian takeover of our democracy. They held signs, they spoke up, they marched. And in one voice they said loud and clear: “Enough.”
Leitchfield
In Leitchfield, the organizers came out the night before and put up a May Pole for Protest. Some pics (click on a single photo to open the set in gallery view):
And here’s a video from the Leitchfield protest:
(Pics and video courtesy of John Whipple)
Hazard
From Virginia Meagher: “In conjunction with national organizations, Genevieve Williams from Perry County has organized four peaceful protests in the last four weeks. She is awesome! For the May Day event, about 35 of us gathered at the grassy entrance to the Walmart/Lowe’s Shopping Center on Rt. 80 in Hazard. The traffic there is very heavy, as there is only one way in and out of the shopping center. We waved our signs and some yelled, “Honk for Democracy.” Over a period of two hours, we probably got well over 200 honks and waves.”
Some pics from the Hazard event sent by Virginia:
Northern Kentucky
From Ann Dickerson: “Indivisible NKY held their May Day protest in front of the US District Courthouse, Eastern District in Covington. 150 protesters showed up in rainy conditions to hear from Kentucky Refugee Ministries about the contributions of immigrants to our communities and the economy as well as information on how refugees and immigrants have been helped in NKY. Then, both sides of 5th Street between Montgomery St and Madison Ave were lined with protesters who received enthusiastic, positive responses from those driving by. Both Homeland Security and local police showed up to observe.”
(Pictures courtesy of Ann Dickerson and Tracy Bentley)
Lexington
From Barbara Smith: “At least 300 people endured a heavy downpour to rally at the Fayette County Courthouse today. They came to protest the policies of the Trump Administration that harm working people in this country and benefit the billionaires that Trump cozies up to. A number of union representatives spoke to the crowd.”
(from upper left) Getting set up in spite of the intimidating weather; people visiting the information tables; attendees waiting for the rally to start; people crowded under the cover of the outside entrance to the courthouse to hear the speakers; Liles Taylor addresses the crowd on issues important to unions; umbrellas were omnipresent, including covering the signs; Joyce Albro of Frankfort protected her sign with plastic covering. (photos courtesy of Barbara Smith)
Louisville
The May Day event in Louisville combined a program of speakers with a march around downtown. It was planned for the steps of Metro Hall, but wound up moving across the street to Injustice Square, the site of so many Breonna Taylor protests.
Ashley Snider of Communication Workers of America sent us a number of pictures of union folks at the event, along with some of the march. But the bulk of the pics below were taken by Del Ramey, a retired engineer who covers events in and around Louisville, and then shares his work. We are fortunate to have a photographer with Del’s talent; he always seems to capture some meaningful candids at these events.
The March
Over 1,100 persons took part in the protest march. (This number from Dr. Greg Leichty, who actually counted them as they passed him at the beginning.) Here are some pics from the march. Note the peacekeepers wearing the colored vests.
The People
From all walks of life, of all different ages and backgrounds, the people came. Here are some of the people saying “This is wrong.”
(from upper left) Members of Metro Council J.P. Lyninger and Shameka Parrish-Wright; former state rep Charles Booker; Maddie Shephard, president of the Jefferson County Teachers Association; and Chanelle Helm, BLM activist
(from upper left) Bruce Sweeney, basketball coach and activist, leading chants; an unknown woman with the right response to the Trump regime; union folks in the house; a reminder about the Handmaid’s Tale; Stephen Bartlett, who often shows up to share some trumpet music; a member of the Raging Grannies that sang later in the program
The Signs
There were signs. Many signs. Many, MANY signs. Some were rough-drawn on cardboard; others were crafted with care. Here are some of the best. Note the one at the bottom right: “To My 4 Grandsons: Nana Did Not Stay Silent!”
May that be true of all of us.
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