Grassroots Protest Against Trump and Musk in Modesto
Concerned citizens gathered on Saturday March 29th in Modesto to protest Donald Trump and Elon Musk. The protest was organized on Facebook and focused on the recent draconian cuts to various federal departments which are already sending a chilling effect throughout the national economy.
By Anthony Castillo
Editor/Founder
Concerned citizens gathered on Saturday March 29th in Modesto to protest Donald Trump and Elon Musk. The protest was organized on Facebook and focused on the recent draconian cuts to various federal departments which are already sending a chilling effect throughout the national economy. Just recently, President Trump directed a Californian water agency to cut 10% of its workforce and this was after his ignorant and wasteful release of 2.2 billion gallons of water that needlessly flooded some San Joaquin Valley farmland and did absolutely nothing for the devastating Los Angeles fires, which was his claim. Such ineptitude would be comical if it didn’t threaten the livelihoods of real people in the most populous state in the country.
At the protest, community member Jay Parkinson called prices “stupidly expensive”. During the 2024 presidential campaign, Trump promised to bring down prices “on day one”. This was a promise he made over and over. Prices have not gone down, inflation has risen, and now Trump has said he “couldn’t care less” if prices increase. Jay also expressed concern about hostility to the minority and LGBTQ+ communities. At Trump’s order, the federal government has systematically removed the recognition of various minorities, women, and LGBTQ+ achievements. Anti-trans and white nationalist speech is now an open and celebrated platform of GOP ideology.
These concerns were echoed by another protester, Richard Alexander, who is a student at CSU Stanislaus. His gender studies program is squarely in Trump’s crosshairs. Alexander also added “I need my social security…I don’t want him invading Greenland or any other country.” Vice-President J.D. Vance and his wife recently went to Greenland in a confusing show of force to lay out Trump’s bizarre interest in making America appear bigger on the world map.
Cathy Doo, a Turlock resident, expressed concerns about the local economy. The Central Valley of California is closely split among Democrats and Republicans, yet as Cathy said, “Trump and Musk will hurt the economy. The people who voted for him will be hurt equally as those who voted to protect democracy”. The retaliatory tariffs and the very real threat of mass deportation facing our immigrant neighbors are actively contributing to economists fearing an oncoming recession. This “pain” that Trump is willing to accept has a real effect on people’s day to day financial lives: housing, groceries, and local shopping.
Multiple seniors were also in attendance at the protest. Among them was Barbara, who provided a detailed explanation on Social Security’s solvency. If Elon Musk’s DOGE is allowed to disrupt Social Security, payments could be interrupted, leaving our parents and grandparents unable to afford food, rent, or medicine. Local food banks are already stressed by the increase of hungry people, and yet, even this critical lifeline is facing cruel and useless cuts. The Department of Agriculture is slashing $500 million dollars from food banks across the country. It was already a travesty that hunger exists in the richest country in the history of the world but now, the downtrodden are being kicked even harder by billionaires that have never faced the challenges they claim to know how to solve.
All protestors agreed that this moment in history demands action. More protests, letter writing, and voting. We need to demand that Democrats fight back and we need to call out the cowardice of capitulating Republicans. Boycotts, like the #TeslaTakedown that is currently devastating Tesla stock, are proving to be an effective use of voting with your dollars. Look for further grassroots action and participate as you can with attendance, donations, or sharing. There may be counter-protestors, like the young man who shouted “Go Elon!” and threw a Nazi salute but Democracy requires bravery. Your participation is necessary, and as Cathy Doo said, “Trump is not a king. He’s my employee, I pay his salary.”
Anthony Castillo is the editor in chief of The Valley Groundswell. Anthony is a Turlock native and alumni of CSU Stanislaus.
Photography and interviews provided by Hayden M. Pratt.