ASHEVILLE, N.C. (828newsNOW) — With the United States presidential inauguration just days away, Asheville citizens gathered from 10 a.m. to noon today, Jan. 18, for a march from Pack Square Park to Pritchard Park in downtown Asheville.
This People’s March was organized around the country in protest of the incoming presidential administration.
The small crowd was peppered with handmade signs and hand-knitted hats. The rallying cry of the group was “love, not hate, diversity we celebrate.”
However, despite their unifying chant, protestors at the People’s March stood against a variety of fears, policies and potential futures.
Cheryl Goldberg and Chris Davis, employees at aerospace manufacturer Pratt & Whitney, stood with J.B., a self-described dissident.
According to J.B., the trio was “enjoying the last moments before you get to see what a mass deportation looks like up close and personal.”
Goldberg had a similarly bittersweet answer.
”It’s heartening to see people who aren’t fascists,” Goldberg said. “It makes you feel better about society. It would be nice if there was a larger turnout.”
”It’s sober,” Davis concurred.
Goldberg and David were worried about the political climate at their workplace becoming hostile after the inauguration takes place.
Although Goldberg said that their “company is still very liberal,” the two Pratt & Whitney workers have conservative coworkers.
“They voice it not really caring about how other people feel,” said Davis.
“I’m the only woman who works in the office. But, yeah, so it’s hard,” Goldberg said. “There are worse places we can be.”
Goldberg and Davis fear the United States becoming that “worse place” after the forthcoming change in administration.
“I’m most concerned about losing my rights,” Goldberg said.
Other marchers carried banners and signs for Third Act NC, an environmental advocacy group whose members are above the age of 60.
“We’re in the third act of our lives,” explained member Donna Nelson.
Nelson said that she was at the march on behalf of the future.
“I’m here for the planet, kids and grandkids, future generations,” Nelson said. “I’m 70, I ain’t gonna be around that long, but I do want the earth to be a viable place to live for humans and plants and animals.”
Check out the gallery below for photos from the march:
