By Isabella Darcy
Managing Editor
Over 100 protestors gathered at the New Jersey State House this afternoon to stand up against an executive order they believe threatens the United States’ democracy. The executive order, titled “Ensuring Accountability for All Agencies,” sparked outrage from activists who came from all across the state to voice discontent with the directive, as well as other actions taken by President Donald Trump and his administration.
The New Jersey branch of 50501, a political action organization that frequently protests the policies and actions of the Trump Administration, organized the demonstration. The opposed executive order, which, according to Lawfare, “expands presidential oversight of agencies and asserts ‘authoritative interpretation’ of executive branch law by the president,” was signed on Feb. 18. 50501 says the directive “makes [Trump] a king in all but name.”
“No king, no crown, we the people won’t back down,” the large and diverse crowd of passionate picketers repeated. Rallyers kept up with that energy for the duration of the demonstration.
Along with chanting numerous anti-Trump rally cries, many of those in attendance carried anti-Trump signs. Some phrases written on them included, “IMPEACH FELON,” “WE DON’T WANT THIS” and “NO KING.”
Nicholas Incollingo, a 45-year-old from Delran, New Jersey, usually expresses his political opinions on social media, but decided to take his activism offline today. Incollingo told The Signal that he is fighting against blatant violations of the Constitution.
“It’s a disgrace,” Incollingo said. “I think everything the United States did right was moving away from the kings of the 18th century and prior to that. We were leading the world in the movement away from that and now we’re leading the world back to it.”
Sixty-five-year-old Jeffrey Haba traveled from Mount Laurel, New Jersey, to publicly oppose Trump, who he describes as a tyrant.
“For us as citizens, it [tyranny] is dangerous because we lose control of what we can do,” Haba told The Signal. “They’re taking away the rights of the people.”
Rylie, a 21-year-old college student who only felt comfortable giving her first name, attended the protest to speak out against attacks on her rights, and show her 6-year-old daughter that she too can feel empowered to stand up for what she believes in. Because of the current political climate, Rylie fears for the future of women’s rights, and what it means for her and her daughter.
“It’s really important that she grows up in a world where she feels safe and protected in her body, and to have a decision when she’s older if anything were to happen,” Rylie said. “I can’t imagine, if something were to happen to her, her being forced to not have a choice.”
Like other demonstrators, 58-year old Teri, who only felt comfortable giving her first name, told The Signal she joined the picket because she is unhappy with the actions of Trump and his administration.
“I can’t think of anything that they’ve done that I actually support, or that makes America better,” Teri said. “I think it only hurts the average American, to the benefit of the oligarchs and the billionaires.”
Teri, along with many other picketers, brought up that the U.S. is set up with checks and balances to keep someone from being in absolute power.
“Absolute power corrupts absolutely,” Teri said. “And we need to hold on to any checks and balances we have.”
Teri voiced her frustration with Republicans in Congress, who she says are letting power go unchecked, and the Supreme Court who she does not trust to uphold justice.
“It’s up to us now,” Teri said. “That's all we’ve got. We’ve got to show up for each other.”
