NAPLES, Fla. — Activists in Naples came together to spread their voices and make one message clear: Impeach President Donald Trump.
Across the country, people are gathering for the national “Impeach Trump” protest initiated by MoveOn, a progressive organization for social justice and political progress.
Barbara Gregory, who organized the local protest at the corner of Route 41 and Airport-Pulling Road on Saturday, is the head of Indivisible Collier which is a chapter of the Action Network, another national progressive organization. She’s organized several rallies and protests against President Trump.
“I think this nation is in real, real trouble. Whenever I see that there’s something that I can make a difference on, I will do it. I see myself as a foot soldier in the struggle,” Gregory said.
Another activist is Cynthia Odierna, co-founder of SWFL Justice4All Coalition, who trademarks her activism with elevated boots and a large sign that reads “Justice is what love looks like in public.”
“They make me an avatar. So it’s all to bring attention to the signs and my cause,” Odierna said.
Not everyone sees President Trump’s time in office as a struggle. Steve Grossman and Brenda Turner who live in Naples, say they’ve only seen the positive change since Donal Trump was elected.
“There are more jobs than there are people and I think that’s a very good thing for our economy and our future,” Grossman said.
“We have less crime; we have more jobs. Sometimes I don’t like the things he says sometimes, but he is a good president,” Turner said.
That still doesn’t convince the others, who believe change needs to happen fast. Faye Roland is another local activist who’s come to several of these protests.
“But really, I’m afraid for the safety of this country. I’m scared it’s going to crumble,” Roland said.
But activists like Odierna believe their voices will make a difference and bring change to this country.
“People shouldn’t be discouraged. There ain’t no power like the power of the people,” Odierna said.
In a statement about the “Impeach Trump” protests, the Collier Republican Party sent the following in an email:
“The demonstration today in Naples represented neither the Democrats or the Republicans. It was just a radical bunch of people who don’t deserve to have their voices magnified. If we want civility, we have to promote it. If we magnify radicals voices, we do the country a disservice.” -Russell Tuff, Collier County Republican Party Chairman.
Below are links to the organizations mentioned in this story:
- Collier County Republicans: https://colliergop.org/
- MoveOn: https://front.moveon.org/
- Indivisible Collier: https://actionnetwork.org/groups/indivisible-collier
- SWFL Justice4All Coalition: https://www.swfljustice4all.org/
