Protesting the president on Presidents Day, demonstrators gather in downtown South Bend

 

SOUTH BEND, Ind. -- It was freezing cold Monday afternoon, but dozens still showed up to protest the president on Presidents Day.

"On Presidents Day, we're not celebrating President Trump, we're dissenting," said organizer Mira Costello.

Jan Broglin was just one of the dozens protesting in downtown South Bend in Jon R. Hunt Plaza, just in front of the Morris Performing Arts Center.

"I really want my voice to be heard, I feel helpless," Broglin said.

The peaceful protest was an offshoot of the 50-50-1 movement 50 protests in all 50 states all on one day which took place Feb. 5.

"Protesting the billionaire takeover of our democracy, we just want to stand up and make sure our voices are heard," said Calvin Awald of the Elkhart County PSL Branch.

It was so successful in a lot of areas that grassroots organizers are keeping the momentum going, continuing to put on smaller-scale protests.

"This is unconscionable what's happening in our country," one protester said Monday.

The biggest grievance Monday dealt with Elon Musk and his work with the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE).

"It's not a real, authentic agency, it has no jurisdiction over our democracy," Awald said.

That's not to say DOGE doesn't have support in Michiana.

"I agree with whatever they're doing," said local resident Joyce Doty. "I think they're trying to make America better. That's what I think we all want, and that's why I think everybody voted for him."

Demonstrators are calling this Presidents Day, "no kings day."

"We won't stand for losing our democracy," Costello said.

ABC57 asked you to vote on social media and with more than 500 reactions at 6 p.m., the majority of participants approve of DOGE.

You can make your voice heard and participate in our survey here.