ELIZABETHTOWN — A Presidents’ Day rally labeled Protect, Defend, Define drew more than 100 people who braved frigid temperatures and blowing snow to share their feelings on the events precipitated by the current administration in Washington, D.C.

Many clutched homemade placards lest the howling wind wrest them from their hands, as they listened to speakers expressing love for the United States as well as concerns over the infringement of their rights.

One of the organizers, Tom Duca, was not sure how many would show up, especially due to the weather, but was pleased as he watched groups of two, or three or four arrive.

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‘Speak up and speak out’

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Martha Swan of John Brown Lives gave the keynote address which in part she said, “Today, we are united with people across the country who have chosen to take action, to speak up and speak out to protect and defend what they love and cherish and simply know to be right and good and necessary for our very continuance as a decent people and on Planet Earth.

“The onslaught by the Trump regime and its enablers in Congress, the courts and state government, the media, corporate America and elsewhere is unprecedented in its scale and in its cruelty. We are in this together.”

Swan said it was, “fitting enough to be gathered outside a courthouse to demand respect for the Constitution, the rule of law and equal protection under the law. It is especially fitting to be here where abolitionist John Brown had lain in state on the last leg of his journey home for burial in North Elba.

“As the 1800s unfolded, acts of brutality, violence and official federal policy further radicalized him. The Fugitive Slave Act of 1850 was one such federal policy, one that required law enforcement to arrest people suspected of escaping their enslavers.

“The Trump regime is bearing down on our neighbors, co-workers, family and friends, terrorizing tens of millions of people across the country, to tear them from their families, detain and deport them en masse, and even banish them to Guantanamo, for God’s sake.

“The 14th Amendment of the US Constitution was ratified guaranteeing citizenship to all babies born on this soil. Trump’s executive order ending birthright citizenship puts millions of people in his crosshairs, threatens a pillar of our democracy and tears at the very fabric of who we are as a people. We are here today to fight for decency, truth, and our collective lives and our continuance on Earth.”

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‘We are in dark times’

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Under the direction of Alisa Endsley, the assemblage sang two songs; “The Star Spangled Banner,” and “God Bless America.”

Endsley commented, “We are in dark times much like our forefathers were. They did not know how it would turn out and truthfully we don’t know either. We do know that if we stand together and fight together, our chances of holding onto our precious democracy are much greater than if we obey in advance.”

She related to Francis Scott Key creating, “The Star Spangled Banner,” and continued. “At that time we had an oppressive king. Now we have a South African oligarch, a mentally challenged felon and an impotent Congress. We the people are the only ones that can save us now. Remember, there are more of us than them.”

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Encouraged to act

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Several community members were invited to give remarks.

The Rev. Michael Caldwell encouraged people of faith to unite and counteract the events taking place.

Ana Maria V. Moore, a lawyer, community activist and volunteer, persuaded the gathering to, “Stand up,” for democracy and against injustice.

Keene Town Justice Henrietta Jordan reiterated the words of the U.S. Constitution and upholding it as the law of the land.

Board President of Voters for Change Kary Johnson extolled, “Democracy depends on us.”

Those in attendance were encouraged to write letters, emails and other forms of communication to elected officials and media outlets.

Following the presentations, the gathering marched along Routes 9 and 9N as well as Park Street while motorists honked horns to show support and in some instances voice their disapproval of the procession.