By Dan Spalding
News Now Warsaw
WARSAW — Protesters in Warsaw, upset with policies led by President Trump, followed suit with other communities across the country on Saturday and rallied for the second time in two weeks.
The newest protest appeared to be as big — if not bigger — than the one held April 5 at the Kosciusko County Courthouse and included many fresh faces, some of whom laughed at the notion put forth by Trump supporters that they are being paid or bused in from other communities.
There was chanting, shouts of encouragement, music, drumming and even a cowbell.
Signs on Saturday echoed a long list of concerns involving budget cuts, a lack of due process in Trump’s attempt to deport undocumented residents, and the role of Elon Musk, who has led an effort to shrink the federal government without Congressional involvement.
Paul Butler, 38, lives in Roann and said the event was his first foray into protesting. He said he’s worried about many issues, but especially dislikes how the Trump administration is handling the deportation of undocumented residents.
“If someone’s an illegal immigrant, they still deserve their time in court to prove whether they’re illegal or not instead of being sent somewhere where their family doesn’t even know where they are,” Butler said.
The man who helped organize Saturday’s rally said the peaceful demonstrations will likely continue until concerns subside.
Mentone resident Thomas Skeens promoted Saturday’s event on a website, and was asked if the protests would continue.
“That’s what we have planned is to continue them until we know for sure Trump and Elon are going to keep their hands off or stop the cuts,” Skeens said.
One woman responded to the idea that protesters are being paid to attend.
“Ridiculous. If people were getting paid, wouldn’t more people show up?” said Juneal Black, who lives in Lansing, Mich., and said she and her husband, Ken, were visiting family.
Ken Black added, “I think it’s just concerned citizens … everybody’s worried about what’s being taken away. that they’re voicing their opinion.”
Saturday’s atmosphere had an added element with an unrelated protest nearby. That involved PETA — People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals.
The national group announced earlier in the week that it would demonstrate what they view as the mistreatment of chickens on the way to slaughter by parking a truck outside of Mad Anthony’s Brewing company, a block from the Trump protest.
The truck urged people to embrace a vegan diet and was accompanied by a stand that offered literature.
That demonstration attracted virtually no supporters, and the truck drove away after about an hour.
But it did catch the attention of two men, one of whom carried a big Popeye’s restaurant carryout bag and was offering discount cards for Mad Anthony’s to people outside.
Eddie Van Hartman, of Warsaw, explained his position.
“They’re protesting chicken. I love chicken. So I’m promoting chicken,” Van Hartman said.
“I fully support PETA – People Eating Tasty Animals – absolutely. Steak is my favorite animal,” he added. “Chicken is my second.”
At one point, Van Hartman, who described himself as a conservative, strolled into the Trump protest, apparently to gain the attention of protesters. That lasted about five minutes and led to a brief, indiscernible chant from some of the protesters.
Afterward, the manager at Mad Anthony’s, Jim Thompson, appeared unfazed by the truck’s presence and said he believed it might have generated added sales.
“I think we were busier, actually,” Thompson said.
The Trump protest worked to elicit honks from passing motorists.
A pickup truck with two large Trump signs provided a few honks as it drove past the Trump rally several times, but the overall environment remained civil.
Below are a few photos from both protests.
