Photo essay by JC Martin.
WESTPORT–An estimated 3,000 people gathered in downtown Westport yesterday, Oct. 18.
As one of the thousands of protests across the country, people unhappy with the current Washington administration gathered under the No Kings rubric.
Organized by Westporter Darcy Hicks, the entertainment included Westporters Susan Terry and Dan Bikel. Terry sang “America, the Beautiful” and Bikel sang “We Shall Overcome.” Maggie Meath sang “What’s Up” and “Hallelujah.“
Speeches were given by several elected officials including US congressman Jim Himes, state senator Ceci Maher and and state representatives Dominique Johnson, Jonathan Steinberg and Matt Blumenthal.
After the event, Hicks told Westport Journal: “At one point, I looked out to see thousands of people spilling out from where Maggie was singing Hallelujah on Jesup Green, blending into the protestors on the Steinkraus bridge and up the Post Road — a huge tapestry of people, all standing up for our country and for each other. It made me think about Mohammed Ali and his rope-a-dope strategy, when he would take the punches for a while and then just come out swinging. This town really came out swinging! I’m so proud to live here.”
An excellent day of hope. So much joy among those thousand of people who know we can beat this.
The choice of songs was compelling. Maggie Meath especially knocked it out of the park with What’s Up, which I paraphrase a bit:
And I try, I try all the time
Trying to get up that hill of hope
For a destination…
And I pray, oh my God do I pray
I pray everyday.
For a revolution.
What’s Going On?
Just to be clear, I organized the programming of speakers and musicians at Jesup Green, but there were others who reached such a vast audience for the bridge! This was a blend of efforts! Also: vote early starting today!