Large turnout at Fayette County planned protest emphasizes local engagement
Every time a vehicle passed along West Main Street in Uniontown, Army veteran Brad Radcliffe raised his hands and gave the universal sign for peace.
It was a quiet, simple gesture amid a day filled with chants of protest, the melodies of rebel music and the relentless honking of horns, creating an audible tapestry of both support and disagreement with Saturday鈥檚 planned demonstration.
Radcliffe, a Uniontown native now living in Wisconsin, whose lengthy military service included multiple combat tours to Vietnam, said he returned to his hometown to participate in the protest with friends and loved ones because, 鈥淚t鈥檚 the right thing to do.鈥�
鈥淚鈥檝e been involved with a lot of veteran organizations, and the majority of those combat veterans, especially the ones who suffered, know that what has been going on is so wrong,鈥� Radcliffe said. 鈥淎nd we鈥檙e starting to get emboldened, to get out there and not be afraid to say that what鈥檚 been happening is wrong.鈥�
On Saturday, between 220 and 250 people attended the 鈥淣o Kings Rally鈥� at the George C. Marshall Memorial Plaza in Uniontown. The event was part of a nationwide day of defiance organized by Indivisible and other pro-democracy groups, aimed at uniting Americans 鈥渁gainst cruelty, corruption and authoritarianism.鈥�
In a phone call earlier in the week, Tracy Wilson, president of the Democratic Women of Fayette County, whose organization planned the demonstration, said the protest did not have a single theme but was intended to give citizens a platform to voice their concerns.
鈥淲ith the 鈥楴o Kings rally,鈥� we wanted to show that we live in America and in a democracy, and we want to keep it that way. We don鈥檛 want a dictator, and we stand against fascism,鈥� Wilson said.
While protesters voiced a variety of concerns, including ICE agents protesting immigration policies, advocates raising issues related to LGBTQ+ rights, economic challenges, healthcare and environmental policies, many appeared to share a common message.
鈥淲e want to show we鈥檙e not afraid and that we鈥檙e going to stand up for the country we love,鈥� said Sheila Bornna of Masontown.
Many attendees referenced their desire to demonstrate resilience in a county where nearly 70% of votes in the November presidential election favored Donald Trump, according to Associated Press-certified results.
鈥淚鈥檓 out here today because I want other people to feel like they can say something too,鈥� said Lisa Haught of Carmichaels. 鈥淵ou don鈥檛 have to hide in the background and be afraid just because it鈥檚 against our government.鈥�
Rick Sontno of Uniontown also expressed concern about what he called the 鈥渙verstepping of the federal government,鈥� which he said has prompted more residents of Fayette County 鈥渢o stand up against a tyrannical executive branch.鈥�
鈥淭hese policies do nothing but hurt the American people, and I think people in Fayette County, one of the poorest counties in the state, are starting to realize the effects of these harmful policies. Now, I believe people are finally beginning to see how we need to take our country back,鈥� he said.
Tessa Lynn, 23, of Connellsville, emphasized the importance of her generation participating in protests.
鈥淚 think it鈥檚 important that we鈥檙e out here because, in Fayette County 鈥� which is a deep red county 鈥� we want to let people know they鈥檙e not alone in their beliefs and they shouldn鈥檛 hide just because they鈥檙e in the minority,鈥� Lynn said.
Melinda Thomas of Connellsville, a member of the DWOFC, said she was surprised by the turnout.
鈥淚鈥檝e never seen half of these people before. They saw that we were planning something and wanted to be part of it,鈥� she said. 鈥淚 think people are ready to come out.鈥�
The roughly three-hour protest remained mostly peaceful. Several drivers stopped at red lights to yell obscenities, and one man flicked a cigarette into the crowd. Despite that, there were no reported incidents.
District Attorney Mike Aubele attended the rally along with several Uniontown officers stationed nearby. He noted that, aside from a few heated exchanges with passersby, the day remained peaceful.
鈥淓veryone I saw at the rally was very respectful. I believe in the right to protest, it鈥檚 a fundamental part of our society, regardless of viewpoint. I鈥檓 glad people were able to come out and support causes they鈥檙e passionate about,鈥� Aubele said.
He also noted that the police presence had been increased due to concerns about potential unrest, given the scale of protests nationwide.
鈥淭here were some security concerns, but Uniontown police were present, and I was there myself. Everything seemed fine, aside from an occasional back-and-forth,鈥� he added.
Overall, Shelia Kurtz, secretary of the DWOFC and the organization鈥檚 media contact that day, called the protest a success, noting it drew the highest attendance for any recent demonstration.
鈥淚t was definitely a success, and we鈥檙e thrilled so many people from the community came out to support us,鈥� she said.