LAKEPORT >> Concerned county residents, as well as Lake County Democrats, gathered in union on Monday in showing their shared displeasure and to vent indignation at the deluge of executive orders, and to call out the action of what many called the Trump/Must administration.
With an unelected and unconfirmed Elon Musk, Lake County Democrats proclaimed the newly inaugurated administration is laying waste to core government programs. “President Trump continues to pump out unlawful executive orders and has placed the Department of Justice under siege,” their emailed flyer went on. Not since the DOJ’s “Saturday Night Massacre,” inflicted by President Nixon during Watergate, has a president tried to circumvent the law.”
This nationwide event was not organized or sponsored by the Lake County Democratic Party, but their presence there was felt by all. These demonstrations are being organized by the 50501 Movement, which stands for “50 protests. 50 states. 1 movement.” This marks the second nationwide protest by the group, following a prior event.
The idea for a day of protest in each state originated on Reddit in late January. The concept quickly gained traction on various social media platforms, according to organizers. The first nationwide protest by 50501 occurred on February 5.
Marie Schrader, member of the Lakeport Economic Development Advisory Committee, organized this local event. With rapidly evolving changes in Washington D.C. since Trump assumed the presidency, Schrader said she felt she had to do something. With marches occurring in every state capitol on Monday, but unable to attend, she noted she felt compelled to make her voice heard. “I got this flyer out to as many as possible on a grass roots level, so we feel that we are not alone,” she said. “I think the use of the executive order has got to be stopped. It seems like these orders are commanding actions that are so massively against the Constitution. It makes me so angry (that) just one person can do that through an executive order and flaunt the entire Congress.”
She went on to state that the president and Elon Musk will paint themselves in a corner, when they realize they can do anything they want by executive order, why do they need Congress anymore? And then suddenly, they’ll (Congress) lose their jobs too, but she doesn’t think that’s hit them. “But that’s part of the strategy,” she said. “And when that happens, there’ll be a whole bunch of them objecting, but it’ll be too late. And I think people in the red states, once what he’s (Trump) is doing comes to fruition, it is going to hurt red states massively, they’ll have a huge awakening.”
Former District 4 Supervisor Michael Green noted residents were at courthouse square protesting against a president he said, behaves lawlessly, and also protesting Elon Musk and the newly created advisory body DOGE, who were not appointed nor confirmed and Musk, a technocrat who is diving into our privacy rights, “There are proper ways to govern this country, but President Trump is not following those ways,” he said. “He’s doing everything by fiat, he’s not even attempting to work with the Congress, he’s attempting to shut down the judiciary, the Department of Justice is a shambles- What’s next, Medicare, most likely, here is the important thing for Lake County. When the administration comes after our entitlements; our Medicare, our Social Security, it’s going to hurt this county badly.”
Green went on to cite that what is happening with the Trump Administration in the first 100 days is a warmup act. “But what is really coming, is Dr.Mehmet Oz, in charge of Medicare and Robert F. Kennedy in charge of our Health Care Services. So, citizens need to draw a line in the sand now, starting with Elon Musk, starting with the unlawful executive orders and show people across Lake County, across California and the country citizens are not going to sit down for this.” He also pointed out, because Lake County is a rural, indigent county, this area has a significant number of people who rely on government services. For example, there is increasing growing numbers relying on In Home Support Services.
“If the money dries up for that, every city, every county in California and across the country will be holding their breath, waiting to see what’s going to come down from this administration,” Green said. “And it’s not even a Democratic issue, this is bipartisan. The things this president is going to do will hurt Republicans just as badly as Democrats. So, we’re all in this together, everybody, regardless of your political party should be against DOGE, and the unappointed powers over this government.”
Chloe Karl, host of several shows on KPFZ, Lakeport, and the program director, remarked she was so happy to see 200 people at the protest, more than who attended the demonstration two weeks ago. Talking to those in the throng, she got a sense that people were hopeful. One person she talked to confided she has felt so discouraged by the Trump Administration, by seeing so many likeminded citizens and Karl predicted the next 50501 event will draw even more. And she pledged to contact Rep. Mike Thompson, (D-4th District) whom she expressed confidence in to monitor the situation closely and express the will of his constituents avidly.
Part of The Trump Administration strategy is to overwhelm opposition by issuing so many executive orders, citizens get exhausted by the tidal wave of one-man rule. Karl also alerts all residents about another call to citizen action on February 28, when people are asked to forego that day without buying anything, as an economic boycott. “I’m sharing that with everybody.” she said. “If you can, do not go out that day, postpone spending for just the one day.”
