“Good Trouble” Defends Medicaid, Slams ICE

Steve Athenew’s American flag flapped in the wind on the Green Thursday evening, as he joined over 100 others in protesting the Trump administration in the name of ​“good trouble.”

The protest was part of the nationwide ​“Good Trouble Lives On” protests at over 1,500 locations. 

It was a nod to Georgia Congressman John Lewis, who died five years ago on Thursday, as well as to his history of civil disobedience and his belief that Americans should take ​“good trouble” to ​“help redeem the soul of America.” The rallies were a way to speak out against the Trump administration, which New Haveners also did last month as part of the nationwide ​“No Kings” protests.

Protesters on Thursday carried various signs with phrases like ​“Morons Are Governing America (MAGA),” ​“I like my ICE crushed,” and ​“The government may be evil, but we are annoying.” Speakers also initiated various chants, such as ​“No matter what you say or do, just vote, vote, vote.”

Athenew, who’s from West Haven, began protesting President Donald Trump in May. While he said that he has voted Republican before, and is not a ​“bleeding heart Democrat,” he said he can’t stand the people in office, and believes the administration should abide by the Constitution. He left with one message for those who are also unhappy: ​“Don’t sit around and complain, do something!” 

One protester, who asked to only be referred to as Al ​“Whistles” because of the whistles he often passes out during protests, held a sign that read, ​“If you are not angry, you are not listening.”

Al said that he thinks that some people are not upset enough at coming cuts to Medicaid, and part of the reason is due to the public health insurance program’s different names. Al said that people tell him that they don’t care about cuts to Medicaid because they have Husky, not understanding that they are Medicaid. ​“I’m here for the people that don’t understand,” Al said. 

Lt. Gov. Susan Bysiewicz was in attendance and made a speech relaying concerns about healthcare cuts, including the $150 million that has already been cut from Connecticut’s Department of Health.

“What they are doing without due process is absolutely despicable,” she declared during her speech.

Bysiewicz finished with a message opposing Trump’s immigration policies: ​“America continues to be great the more we welcome people here.”

U.S. Sens. Chris Murphy and Richard Blumenthal were planning to attend the New Haven protest, but could not make it due to weather constraints, according to a speaker.

One protestor, Lou, agreed with Bysiewicz’s speech, remarking that Trump’s immigration policies are part of the reason he was at the protest.

“There are very un-American things going on from the Trump administration,” he stated, adding that the president’s policies are very ​“gestapo-like.”

Lou, who lives downtown, noted that the location of the protest was important, as he said he saw Yale students walking the other direction from the Green. 

Al echoed this sentiment, stating that more young people are needed at these protests, and that hopefully with the Green being so close to Yale, it may get students’ attention.

Tom Gilbertie, president of Southern Connecticut State University (SCSU) Democrats, made a speech denouncing the president’s immigration policies. He cited fellow students who are afraid to go to classes due to ICE’s recent actions. 

“If John Lewis were here today, he would be mad as hell,” Gilbertie said. ​“No more to this fascism, no more to this tyranny, no more to this authoritarianism, no more!” 

After the speeches, protesters began marching around the length of the Green twice, banging on cowbells, and chanting: ​“Donald Trump has got to go, immigrants have got to stay!”