Dozens of residents gathered Thursday afternoon at the State Street Landing in Marblehead to take part in a nationwide “Protest for Democracy” rally, aligning with similar demonstrations across the country.
The Marblehead event marked the anniversary of civil rights icon John Lewis’s death and took on the theme of a funeral for American democracy.
Later that afternoon, many Marblehead protesters joined Swampscott residents in a similar protest by the memorial at the intersection of Humphrey Street, Monument Avenue, and Burrill Street, lining the King’s Beach side of Humphrey Street.
In Marblehead, participants dressed in black, some carrying handmade tombstones and signs mourning various perceived losses within the democratic system, ranging from healthcare and climate protections to voting rights and education.
“It’s a funeral for democracy,” said one attendee, Charles Saltsman, a U.S. Army veteran who served from 1980 to 1984. “Forty-five years ago, I took an oath to defend against all enemies, foreign and domestic, and that oath didn’t come with an expiration date. From my perspective, the Trump regime is doing blatantly illegal things and moving to turn America into a fascist state.”
The event, organized with help from local volunteers, including members of the League of Women Voters, was not a formal political march but rather a peaceful and somber protest filled with reflection and symbolic performance.
Speakers took turns at a bullhorn telling fictionalized stories of lives lost due to political decisions and government inaction.
A woman named Debra Duxbury, flanked by other League of Women Voters members, said, “We’re each mourning something different. Mine is Medicare. Others have taken on education, the judiciary, or voting rights. It’s all being dismantled.”
Another speaker shared a story of a child who died in a tornado because the National Weather Service couldn’t afford to send alerts due to budget cuts.
Cathy Marie Michael mourned Supreme Court rulings like Citizens United 2010 and Shelby County v. Holder 2013, saying they allowed dark money in politics and weakened protections of the Voting Rights Act.
“I am disgusted, devastated, and destroyed,” Michael said. “But I will not let this destroy me.”
Angela Ellis participated with a focus on climate change. “I’m a climate activist. I’m concerned about cuts to the EPA and National Science Foundation. This government’s support for the fossil fuel industry is making things worse. It’s just not fair to our kids,” she said.
Attendee Jill Borten highlighted mental health concerns, especially for LGBTQ+ youth. “Cuts to the suicide and crisis lifeline for gay youth are criminal,” Borten said. “If you’re in a rural or conservative community, where do you turn?”
Kathy Leonardson, one of the local coordinators, helped spread the word and bring people together.
Roger Carlone shared her concern that the current administration is turning a blind eye, emphasizing the utter disregard for the welfare of “our” planet.
“Musk may go up to Mars and live in a capsule or a bubble out there, but I don’t think I got a ticket,” Carlone said. “We gotta save our planet.”
He vows to take care of it while he still can. Merely praying, he added, won’t cut it.
A demonstrator's sign during the “Funeral for Democracy” demonstration at State Street Landing in Marblehead on Thursday.
Cathy Derosier, of Marblehead, takes part in the "Funeral for Democracy" demonstration at State Street Landing in Marblehead on Thursday.
A demonstrator's sign during the “Funeral for Democracy” demonstration at State Street Landing in Marblehead on Thursday.
Spiritual leader Lee Mondale, of Marblehead, rings a bell to formally start the "Funeral for Democracy" demonstration in Marblehead on Thursday.
Jill Borten, of Marblehead mourns the "death" of the National Suicide and Crisis Lifeline under the Trump administration during the "Funeral for Democracy" demonstration in Marblehead on Thursday.
Kate Borten, of Marblehead mourns the "death" of USAID under the Trump administration during the "Funeral for Democracy" demonstration in Marblehead on Thursday.
More than 60 passionate Swampscott residents also took to the streets.
Demonstrators gathered visibly along the roadside, holding signs and engaging passing cars with waves and messages calling for awareness and change.
“I feel it’s my duty to be out here,” said Michael Paquette. “What’s happening to immigrants — people just doing their jobs, paying taxes, being pulled off the street by masked men — it’s horrifying. Most of them haven’t even been convicted of anything. It feels like we’re heading toward ethnic cleansing.”
Paquette condemned reports of a “concentration camp” in Florida and likened recent immigration raids to authoritarian tactics. “We all came from immigrants at one point. It’s disturbing what’s being done to people under the guise of law and order.”
Protesters also voiced outrage at a recent Senate vote to defund PBS and NPR, which they described as cultural and informational lifelines.
“We’re terrified,” said Alice Madio, one of the attendees. “This country is becoming a fascist state. Authoritarianism is creeping in, and now they want to defund public media — our trusted sources for culture and news. Where does it end?”
Madio emphasized that while Massachusetts can feel like a bubble of resistance, there’s a national urgency to speak out. “We call our senators and representatives, but it’s hard. It often feels like preaching to the choir. There are so many people who just don’t know what’s really going on.”
Despite the small crowd, spirits were high, with many drivers honking or waving in support as they passed.
But other passersby shared their differing opinions, yelling, “You have it wrong, support President Trump,” and “Trump all the way,” out of their car windows.
With the 2026 midterm elections on the horizon, many attendees expressed hope that public demonstrations like this would help build momentum for civic engagement and reform.
“We can’t let this become normal,” Madio said. “This is about the soul of our country.”
When Lynn resident Kate Brown was asked what she was doing protesting in Swampscott, she said “getting into a little good trouble,” repeating the motto of the day.
“We just want to keep issues on people’s minds,” Brown said. “At least until the Midterms.”
In Swampscott, Paul Norris said “all our institutions have to worry,” as, according to him, the administration is slowly seeking to disenfranchise its population.
“We’re worried about democracy and the right to vote,” Norris said. “The administration seems to want to take away education, to make people stupid and take their vote away.”
At his side, Donna Levin nodded.
“They’re giving away vital public services,” Levin said, expressing her sadness. “People are going to have to wake up and stand up.”
Michael Paquette, of Swampscott, who organizes the weekly stand-out at the entrance to Monument Avenue in Swampscott, joins other during the Good Trouble Lives On demonstration on Thursday.
A large group gathers at the entrance to Monument Avenue in Swampscott on Thursday to take part in the Good Trouble Lives On demonstration in honor of civil rights advocate John Lewis.
Cathy Derosier, of Marblehead, and John set up a large banner at the intersection of Humphrey Street and Monument Avenue in Swampscott during the Good Trouble Lives On demonstration on Thursday.
A large group gathers at the entrance to Monument Avenue in Swampscott on Thursday to take part in the Good Trouble Lives On demonstration in honor of civil rights advocate John Lewis.
Salem State University professor Ken Reker, of Swampscott, holds up a sign dedicated to civil rights advocate John Lewis during the Good Trouble Lives On demonstration in Swampscott on Thursday.
A large group gathers at the entrance to Monument Avenue in Swampscott on Thursday to take part in the Good Trouble Lives On demonstration in honor of civil rights advocate John Lewis.
Brenda Ortiz McGrath, left, joins her wife, Jane Ortiz McGrath, both of Lynn, in the Good Trouble Lives On demonstration along Humphrey Street in Swampscott on Thursday.
Karen Long, of Houston, joins a crowd of others in the Good Trouble Lives On demonstration along Humphrey Street in Swampscott on Thursday.
A large group gathers at the entrance to Monument Avenue in Swampscott on Thursday to take part in the Good Trouble Lives On demonstration in honor of civil rights advocate John Lewis.
