Political protesters at back-to-back-to-back rallies in Cobleskill Friday and Saturday stood for science, peace and justice, and Ukraine.
It was probably the first time-ever for three Main Street rallies in less than 24 hours--and all three in cold, blustery wind and snow.
Friday’s Stand Up For Science rally and Saturday’s International Women’s Day rally in Centre Park were pulled together at nearly the last minute.
Schoharie County Peacemakers’ Peace Vigil at the corner of Main and Union Streets, is something that’s been going on Saturdays since 2001 and before; now, it also incorporates Peacemakers’ monthly Close GITMO rally too.
All were part of national and international protests.
Cindy Campbell of Cherry Valley organized the Stand Up for Science rally to draw attention to the impact of funding cuts on everything from medical research to the Centers for Disease Control, college PhD programs, national parks, and the National Weather Service.
Like protestors at all three of the rallies, Ms. Campbell said the on-again, off-again cuts are creating what seems to be intentional confusion and disarray.
“DOGE fired the people in charge of our nukes—then had to try to find them and call them back,” she said.
“That is just insane. We’re losing the next generation of scientists with this. That’s going to have repercussions for a long time.”
About 25 people joined the Science rally with another 25 joining the Women’s Day rally and a dozen or so protesting GITMO, many of them attending all three.
“This is my fourth protest this week,” said Donna Latella of Cherry Valley Saturday.
Bonnie Goss of Broome, who organized the Women’s Day rally, is new to politics.
There were years, she said Saturday, that she didn’t even vote; the first protest she ever took part it was one held in Centre Park after the 2016 election.
“I’d had enough,” she said. “I realized it’s time for me to do something. I’m learning as I go. I’ve got family members…lifelong Republicans who voted for Trump. But this thing with Ukraine and Russia? No more.”
The Peacemakers have been protesting for decades, adding the Close GITMO protest in 2013, and now combining the two in hopes of gaining more participants.
Sue Spivack of Cobleskill, who also headed over to Centre Park after her vigil was done, said all three of the protests share a common theme.
“Truth, justice, peace, love and kindness.”
Eighty-one, Ms. Spivack said she’s been protesting all her life.
She welcomes those like Ms. Goss who are new to activism; herself, she has no plans to stop.
“We are never quitting,” she said. “We have to keep fighting.”