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'Rage Against the Regime' rally takes place in Winston-Salem

Someone holding a sign labeled "Free America"
Image courtesy of Pat Speaks
"Rage Against the Regime" protester Lisa Kneppelt displays her sign during Saturday's demonstration on the Green Street pedestrian bridge in Winston-Salem.

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.

Before his arrival in the Triad, David had already established himself as a fixture in the Austin, Texas arts scene as a radio host for Classical 89.5 KMFA. During his tenure there, he produced and hosted hundreds of programs including Mind Your Music, The Basics and T.G.I.F. Thank Goodness, It's Familiar, which each won international awards in the Fine Arts Radio Competition. As a radio journalist with 88.5 WFDD, his features have been recognized by the Associated Press, Public Radio News Directors Inc., Catholic Academy of Communication Professionals, and Radio Television Digital News Association of the Carolinas. David has written and produced national stories for NPR, KUSC and CPRN in Los Angeles and conducted interviews for Minnesota Public Radio's Weekend America.

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