The Hamilton Village Green became a site of civic action as local residents and activists gathered for a peaceful protest against current threats to American democracy on Saturday, April 19. Organized as part of the grassroots 50501 movement, with protests in all 50 states over one day, this protest was one of hundreds held across the country to raise awareness and demand accountability from political leaders.
The event drew a crowd that included seasoned activists and first-time demonstrators alike from both Hamilton and the broader central New York region. While a handful of Colgate University students joined the rally, the majority of protestors were local community members.
Attendees carried handmade signs, many created with the help of local artists and teachers, and shared thoughts about the urgent need for civic engagement. Participant Leah Johnson emphasized the emotional weight of the moment.
“For so many of us, it’s about the undoing of our democracy,” Johnson said. “Look at the people who are here. I get emotional thinking about it. These are people who have already done this, decades ago. And so we need young people to get involved.”
Lael Spalter, a Colgate first-year who had heard about the protest through a friend, expressed enthusiasm about the experience.
“We just decided to come here,” Spalter said. “I didn’t know much about it before, but once we got here, it felt so important.”
Participant, Stephanie Stewart, echoed the importance of protest.
“I just want to make sure that future people like you guys have the rights that I’ve had. We need more people your age out here doing this,” Stewart said.
The protest also offered opportunities for sustained involvement. Attendees were encouraged to join the Madison County Democratic Committee’s mailing list, accessible through their website. One of the organizers highlighted that this rally is part of a longer campaign.
She shared that the next rally is scheduled for Thursday, May 1 from 5 to 6:30 p.m., which will include a food drive. Participants are also encouraged to bring nonperishable items for donation to the local food pantry. The goal, she explained, is to ensure each event creates a meaningful and concrete impact.
Although no organized counter-protest emerged during the rally, attendees noted some opposition, including occasional booing from passing cars and one vehicle that repeatedly circled the green, emitting exhaust fumes. Nevertheless, the atmosphere remained largely positive, with frequent supportive honking from Hamilton residents and Colgate students driving by.
With plans already underway for the next demonstration, Hamilton remains committed to civic engagement in rural communities. As protests in the village have become more frequent this year, Hamilton residents hope to see more young people, especially Colgate students, step into these spaces and make their voices heard.
