Special to IFN
Indivisible Citizens of Catawba Valley (ICCV) held a gathering in front of Congressman Pat Harrigan’s office in Hickory on Saturday afternoon to show support for the rule of law and due process.
About 600 people from Alexander, Burke, Caldwell, Catawba, Gaston, Iredell, Lincoln, and Wilkes counties peacefully protested the recent actions of the Trump administration.
“People are being deported, losing their jobs and livelihoods; children are dying from disease; economic policies are being made, unmade, and then changed, and we’re only three months into this administration,” said ICCV Chair Deb Johnson. “It is no exaggeration to say our country is in a Constitutional crisis and we are here to say, again, loudly and forcefully, ‘This cannot stand.’ ”
Several residents spoke publicly about how actions by the Trump administration have affected their lives.
Mental health professional Deedge Cervantes submitted a letter that was read aloud.
“The constant threat of ICE raids, family separations, and xenophobic rhetor has left deep psychological scars on families who have contributed to this country for decades,” Cervantes wrote. “These policies have cultivated a political climate built on fear and division – where cruelty is policy, and compassion is seen as weakness. That is not the America we aspire to be.”
Local furniture executive Mitchell Gold spoke about the challenges of running a business in the current political environment.
“In business, the ability to plan is key,” Gold said. “In this environment, it’s impossible to plan.”
ICCV is a non-partisan grassroots organization. Its mission is to peacefully rebuild democracy and defeat the Project 2025 agenda.
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Isn’t Mitchell-Gold the furniture plant that shut down without warning during the Biden administration? Now, all of a sudden, they are worried about plans? Hypocrites…
Well. I see signs about medicare and medicaid. I see hands off national parks and immigrants. I see a classy sign with a weird insult using a curse word. I don’t see anything about rights enshrined in the constitution.
I also have my doubts that any of these people value the second amendment based on the kind of lowest common denominator politics people like to engage in these days. It’s ok to admit you’re just protesting against a politician you don’t like, which is covered by the first amendment.
I heard it said years ago and the saying could easily apply to these peaceful protesters who truly don’t know what they are protesting, that at least 15% of the population reserves the right to remain ignorant the rest of their lives … What basis are they concerned about the constitution, or Social Security…The Current administration is working for the good of ALL AMERICANS … Don Ledbetter