Oshkosh, WI – On January 20, more than a dozen residents of Oshkosh gathered at Opera House Square downtown to protest the disastrous policies of the Trump administration since his inauguration two years ago. The rally was hosted by community group United Action Oshkosh (UAO).

Braving the frigid Wisconsin winter weather, attendees held signs, flags and banners with messages of support for refugees, women, people of color, LGBTQ people, workers and students. Their voices cut through the air as the group chanted slogans like “We oppose Trump and Pence; they only serve the 1%” and “Racist, sexist, anti-gay; Donald Trump, go away!”

The event featured speakers or messages from UAO, Wisconsin Indivisible-06, Wisconsin Freedom Road Socialist Organization (FRSO), and Wisconsin Bailout the People Movement.

“I think holding rallies and marches is super important! It shows our city and country that we’ve not given up and we’re not backing down,” said UAO member Jessica Anderson. “If we don’t even try to attempt change, then nothing will ever change. I want everyone to know that we won’t tolerate racism, misogyny, homophobia, or transphobia in this country. Even the smallest of organizations and rallies can create big change, and this is where it all starts.”

After a message of solidarity from Wisconsin FRSO, participants took to marching up and down Main Street, making themselves heard with more chanting.

Back at the square, event leader Hollie Poupart homed in on the violence that is all-pervasive across the spectrum of Trump's hateful rhetoric and harmful policies. The emphasis was placed specifically on Trump's support for brutal and unjust police practices, tying these facts into to the broader movement to win community control of the police.

“It is only when the cops are wholly answerable to the communities which they police and for the crimes that they commit that we will see justice done for people like Isaiah Tucker, Jason Pero, Jonathon Tubby, and the scores of others killed or impacted by police violence,” Poupart said.

UAO will be hosting a showing of the film Do Not Resist at the Oshkosh Public Library on Thursday, January 24 as a part of their campaign to raise awareness about the need of all communities to fight back against police crimes.

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