"Celebrate America" rally held on Medina Square

MEDINA — More than 100 participants protested the actions of the federal government during a "Celebrate America" rally on the Medina Square on Saturday. Kristen Lowther is one of the organizers of the rally. She said those who attended the rally are proud to be Americans because of what America stands for. "We celebrate the diversity, the ingenuity, the generosity and the spirit of America," she said. "We know that America is built on a history of freedom. Our country, as Thurgood Marshall said, was founded on protest."' The Founding Fathers built a country for the people, by the people, and Lowther said she feels that is being taken away from Americans. She cited giving more resources to the wealthy and citizens losing health care as some of the reasons for their protest. "What we're doing is actually very patriotic because we're using our American right to stand up for our country and say, 'This is not the country that we want," she said. "I don't know could be more American than using your God-given American right to raise your voice for your country on Independence Day." Rallies are organized in Medina County because the group wants to show others that it is okay to oppose the Trump administration, Lowther said. "(Congress) will not say no to Trump, but it is okay for the people to say no to Trump," she said. "In fact, because they will not speak for us, we must speak for ourselves." Another goal is to create a community at the rallies, Lowther said. "If you are sitting at home, and you are reading the news or watching the news, and you are terrified about what's happening, and you feel alone, we want you to know you are not alone," she said. "There are way more of us than there are of them. If you feel alone, come join us." The group wants to form a coalition of opposition against the Trump administration, Lowther said. "(People are) very involved with their lives, and that's okay to be very involved with your life, but it doesn't mean that you get to turn your back on what is happening in this country right now," she said. "It's OK to be very busy and love your life, but understand that if you keep ignoring what's happening, and if we don't have enough support in our opposition to the administration, your life will eventually be affected. Your children's lives and your future generations will be affected." The next "Save Democracy" rally will be held from 10 a.m. to noon July 19 at the corner of state Route 303 and state Route 42 in Brunswick. Then, another "Chicken Rally" will be held on the Medina Square from 6-8 p.m. July 27. "While we love America, we do not love what is happening to it," Lowther said. "One of the reasons we love America is our First Amendment right to assemble and to speak out. We are using democracy to save our democracy." Contact reporter Madisyn Woodring at (330) 721-4049 or mwoodring@medina-gazette.com.