Grassroots movement continues sustained peaceful action against the autocratic Trump 2.0 Administration

Monday, August 25, will mark the 200th straight day of peaceful protest against Trump 2.0 in Tribou Park in the Village of Woodstock. Residents of Woodstock, Pomfret, Hartland, Barnard, Windsor and other nearby towns gather daily to oppose federal cuts to vital programs, the mistreatment of migrants and citizens, economic disorder, and the abandonment of America’s allies and commitments to peace.

The movement began in early February when Linda Machalaba, a Woodstock resident, posted on the local listserv that she would stand in Tribou Park every day until what she called “deadly DOGE cuts” were reversed. Distraught about reductions to USAID funding and the impact on global access to life-saving medicines, Machalaba committed to daily action.

“I was alarmed that the President could take away vital funds from USAID and NIH for programs that keep our country healthy and secure—funds that had already been approved by Congress,” said Machalaba. “Where were the checks and balances, and where were the protesters?”

She continued, “When I see people suffering and dying because medicines they desperately need are being cut off by political decisions made thousands of miles away, I cannot sit at home and do nothing. Every day I stand here, I’m standing for someone who may not survive these cuts. That’s worth 60 minutes of my day, every day.”

The next week, Machalaba was joined by Al Alessi, a Woodstock resident who began flying a Ukrainian flag at the protests. Alessi started counting supportive gestures from passing drivers and reporting the numbers on the daily listserv, helping track community engagement with the movement. More citizens, alarmed by Trump’s actions, began coming to Tribou Park after reading Alessi’s posts. All expressed specific motivations for joining the daily protests.

“We made promises to our allies, we signed treaties, and we gave our word,” said Alessi. “When America abandons its commitments, we don't just break trust with other nations, we break trust with the values that define who we are. I won't be part of that abandonment, not while I can still stand here and wave this flag.”

Charlotte Hollingsworth, a local activist, brings a message of inclusion to the daily gatherings. “I show up because I believe in an America that cherishes all its people – regardless of when they arrived here, the color of their skin, who they love, or their physical abilities,” she said. “These protests are about defending the America I want my children to inherit.”

What began as one person's daily vigil has grown into a sustained community movement. Today, approximately 20 people show up on weekdays, with larger crowds gathering on weekends. But it’s the consistency that matters, as Susie Stulz, another Woodstock resident and regular participant, emphasized. Pointing to research by political scientist Erica Chenoweth, Stulz says that nonviolent movements mobilizing just 3.5% of a population have historically achieved significant political change through sustained, peaceful action. This threshold works because mass, ongoing peaceful demonstration forces issues into public consciousness and pressures institutions to respond, potentially shifting allegiances even within elite and security circles. “That's not naive optimism, it's a proven strategy,” Stulz explained. “And it's why we keep showing up."

Hollingsworth's daughter, Courtney Hollingsworth, helps coordinate the local protests with national movements. Their efforts contributed to drawing approximately 500 people to a “No Kings Day" rally in June, along with large gatherings on the Fourth of July and “Make Good Trouble Day,” demonstrating the connection between local action and broader national concerns.

The organizers stress that they are not an official group or organization, but rather concerned citizens responding to current federal policies. “We are just people who are outraged and deeply saddened by what Trump is doing to this country,” Alessi stated.

Woodstock has a long history of protesting for peace and justice, as Charlotte Hollingsworth pointed out at a recent Selectboard meeting. Protests have gathered in Tribou Park since the days of the Vietnam War. It’s also the site of weekly protests for Black Lives Matter, which Hollingsworth organizes.

The public is invited to join the 200th-day protest on Monday, August 25th, at noon in Tribou Park. Participants are asked to respect established boundaries: staying off the sidewalk, remaining behind a grate to avoid blocking driver sightlines, and maintaining at least 15 feet distance from local businesses to respect business owners and their customers.

The daily protests continue weekdays from 12:00 to 1:00 PM in Tribou Park, with the movement showing no signs of slowing as it enters its seventh month of sustained action.

Contact Information: For more information about the daily protests, residents can follow updates on the Woodstock community listserv.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250821376777/en/

"I show up because I believe in an America that cherishes all its people–regardless of when they arrived here, the color of their skin, who they love, or their physical abilities. These protests are about defending the America I want my child to inherit."