Protests themed “Rage Against the Regime” took place on Saturday morning across the nation, including the Triad.
In Winston-Salem, demonstrators gathered on the Green Street Pedestrian Bridge, wielding anti-Trump administration signs with calls to “Free America” and “Resist.”
The demonstration began at 10 a.m. Like the “No Kings” protests this summer, activists waved to drivers from atop the bridge.
Most participants were middle-aged or older. Local activist Tommy Priest, the "coffee guy" at the Coffee Park airstream in Winston-Salem, understands people’s rage against the administration’s policies regarding Medicaid, housing, the environment and more.
But when it comes to protests, he would like to see more strategy, and a shift of focus from protesting against to protesting for the things that have long distinguished America.
"For our nationally focused protest movements to actually take a more inward look and see how we can apply some of these things to our home community, so that we can see material impact," says Priest. "Maybe go to your city council meeting, maybe go to your county commissioners meeting, and get your voice heard there. We can move the needle together, but we have to talk to the right people."
Priest says he believes a shift toward local, actionable items would appeal to the younger generation as well. In Winston-Salem, he feels some have become disillusioned from not seeing results.