KENNEWICK, Wash. – On Columbia Center Boulevard, roughly two thousand people gathered to protest President Donald Trump’s administration. The demonstration, part of a nationwide movement called “Hands Off,” stretched nearly half a mile down the street.
The Tri Cities Indivisible branch organized the Kennewick protest, drawing roughly 2,000 participants. Loren Malone, the founder of the branch, emphasized the unity and shared concerns of the protesters.
“We really started it to bring people together,” she said. “Every single one of us is affected by what’s happening right now.”
The protest lasted over two hours, with participants honking and chanting in support. Among those showing solidarity was Carmela Conroy, a former candidate for Washington Congressional District 5, who traveled from Spokane. She expressed her concerns about the current administration.
“I’m deeply concerned about the destruction of norms. Like the rule of law and a constitutional authority,” she said.
Malone noted that the organization was established about five weeks ago and quickly attracted supporters, including Roger Golladay, a retired veteran and federal worker. He voiced his displeasure with President Trump’s past remarks about veterans. “
Trump referred to veterans as suckers and losers,” he stated. “And I’m not a sucker or loser. I’m a proud, patriot, that supports this country.”
Protests occurred nationwide, including in Spokane, where some demonstrations faced counter-protesters. Conroy emphasized the non-partisan nature of the protest, urging people to unite over shared interests.
“Our common interests are the things that are stated in the preamble of the Constitution,” she said.
The event in Kennewick was one of many across Washington and the country, as people sought to make their voices heard. Meanwhile, counter-protesters supported the Trump administration’s reforms, highlighting satisfaction with efforts to reduce government waste.
