Hundreds of people took to the intersection at SW Main Street and Depot Avenue in Gainesville to protest Trump’s administration as a part of a national movement.  The protest was one of many held nationwide and internationally on International Workers’ Day.

50501Gainesville, Gainesville’s branch of a national movement against the Trump administration, partnered with local advocacy groups Gainesville Women for Democracy, Alachua County Labor Coalition, and the Party for Socialism and Liberation Gainesville. Hundreds of people showed up on the sidewalks at the roundabout, yielding signs criticizing and mocking the president while donning makeshift cardboard costumes they threw over their shirts.

Pamela Smith, a representative with Gainesville Women for Harris, said the movement has grown with each protest as people begin to realize the national movement has made its way to the city. On April 5, the movement in Gainesville garnered support from over 2,000 people who took to the streets, according to a press release by 50501Gainesville.

“We’re trying to encourage people [to not] get too discouraged, come and join us and show the world that we are more powerful than this oligarchy, the people are more powerful,” Smith said.

As the University of Florida celebrates the class of 2025, one student couldn’t pass up the chance to have his voice heard during the protest.

Nathan Arndt, who earned a doctorate in material science and engineering, graduated hours earlier before making his way to the protest. Arndt wore his orange and blue cap and gown that matched a sign he brought, making light of tragedies happening across the world.

“We need to make sure that we take every opportunity like this to go out and show that the populace does not like what is going on, and that we will be heard,” he said. “We need to keep showing that even though we’ve been under this boot for longer, that we are still standing strong.”

Alachua County Commissioner Anna Prizzia spoke during the protest in support of workers in the community.

“I showed up today in celebration of International Workers Day to show our country, our state and our community that workers matter,” she said. “We recognize all the people who are working so hard, immigrants and everyday people, and that they deserve fair wages. They deserve all the rights that we all enjoy in this country, and until everyone has that, we aren’t done fighting.”

Deborah McEdward, a 71-year-old protester, said it’s important that national protests are localized to the community, so everybody has a voice.

“We have to do it locally, because people can’t travel to major, big rallies,” she said. “We do have busy lives, but we have to make ourselves heard. We have to make our voices heard. We have to make ourselves visible, because if we don’t, then we are the silent majority.”

Edwards wants local politicians to take action against the administration, saying the state has gone the wrong way.