Following President Trump’s inauguration, there have been protests with subjects ranging from human rights to education to bodegas.

The first day of President Trump’s administration was greeted with a national Women’s March. Contrary to popular belief, the march was not necessarily a march against the Trump presidency.  VHS senior Alana Murphy, who attended the Washington D.C. march, stated that “The protest wasn’t filled with anger and resentment but feelings of hope, courage, and community.” Both men and women marched together to form one united voice demanding, as Alana put it, “that women’s issues whether they be regarding economic discrimination, healthcare, or security, be addressed.”

On Saturday, February 4, VHS students joined the marches around the nation at the entrance to Verona Park. The protest was organized by junior Isabella Williams with the goal of “stopping the confirmation of Betsy DeVos, as her planned reforms would severely harm public schools.” Isabella believes that DeVos’s greatest threat to education are “her plans to institute a voucher system because this plan would take money away from public schools, leading to the schools not being able to provide the same programs and extracurriculars that it does.” Isabella and other students, teachers, and parents protested for the continuation of programs, like band, sports teams, and the variety of Advanced Placement classes that are offered. The community of Verona joined the national voice behind opposition to Mrs. DeVos, who was ultimately confirmed despite the opposition.

In President Trump’s first days in office, he signed executive orders regarding cultural rights that were met with controversy. Trump’s travel ban led to public response from airport protests to the rallying of bodega owners. People of every ethnicity united in revolt against the ban. The ban, in its initial form, was stayed by the courts.

 Trump’s order to advance the construction of the Dakota Access Pipeline despite the U.S Army Corps of Engineering wanting to initiate a study to address the concerns of the Standing Rock Sioux tribe also drew opposition. Just getting the Army to stall construction was a win for the Sioux, but their victory was cut short.

The message underlying all these acts of protest is that President Trump’s plans to implement policy may not always be simple and uncomplicated.  Alana and the rest of America “will remain politically active and ensure that our views are being reflected in American government and policy.”