When you travel down Humphrey Street in Swampscott on a Thursday, or pass Glabicky Field in Marblehead on a Saturday afternoon, it’s not easy to miss the protestors who rally every week to vocalize their disdain for the Trump Administration.
Whether there’s a national “No Kings” protest sweeping across the country or it’s just a peaceful day, the protestors continually gather to spread their message in the rain, snow, and sunshine.
Kathy Hempel, from Salem, said she organized the Swampscott standout protests with her late friend Jennifer Martelli — who died in September from pancreatic cancer at the age of 63 — and started the first standout back in 2020. Since then, Hempel looks to carry on the mission she started with her friend.
Hempel spoke on the background of the protests and what compelled them to start protesting peacefully.
“We were activists, and we were very frustrated that nothing was happening. After Trump was elected, he was doing all these terrible things, and after the murder of George Floyd, we were doing standouts every week,” she explained. “I’m just going to keep attending in her honor and finish the fight she started.”
Kate Borten, from Marblehead, who launched the standout protests at the intersection of Lafayette Street and Maple Street this year, said, “I find that doing something that’s active and physical like this is really cathartic… I marched against the Vietnam War, and I think we had a big influence on what happened. I absolutely believe that standing out and being visible can move the needle a bit.”
Borten noted the differences between the two communities, citing the larger number of conservative voters that reside in Marblehead compared to Swampscott.
Voter enrollment data released by the Massachusetts Secretary of the Commonwealth shows that, in Marblehead this year, out of 17,216 registered voters, 4,237 were registered as Democrats, 1,753 as Republicans, and 11,052 were listed as unenrolled, which means they weren’t registered with any political party.
In Swampscott, out of 12,640 registered voters, 3,547 were registered as Democrats, 1,048 as Republicans, and 7,960 were registered as unenrolled.
North Shore Indivisible events organizer Michael Paquette, who helps gather local activists to attend the protests each week, said he got involved back in March.
“Someone at my church told me about it, and it sounded like a great idea… I don’t believe they were advertising anywhere, and that’s where I came in… I began attending and putting it on social media to give it some life and exposure,” he said. “We’re trying to increase visibility.”
He said one aspect that is challenging for the group is attracting a younger generation to the standouts.
To help change this, he said the group has reached out to local colleges such as Salem State University, Endicott College, and Montserrat College of Art to increase exposure to the cause. The group is also in the process of having business cards created.
Paquette said he hopes people feel good after attending the protests.
“I hope they go to friends, family, and neighbors to spread the word. We need to increase attendance somehow. It’s about them walking away feeling good about themselves for attending. They’re in a comfortable, safe environment… You get to know these folks quite intimately. They all become close friends,” he said.
Activists from Lynn, Marblehead, Swampscott, and Nahant united on Humphrey Street for the latest weekly protest in Swampscott on Dec. 18.
One attendee, Mary Chalifour, of Marblehead, said her humanity and belief in America is what drives her personal sense of activism. She explained how her uncle was once a prisoner of war and that she protested the Vietnam War when she was younger.
“I believe that’s what makes this country great: the fact that we can protest, see the things that are wrong, and we can change them,” Chalifour said.
Another participant, Candace Thorton, of Nahant, said, “I was a teenager and protested the war in Vietnam, and I have always felt that people are people and should be respected… I’m doing what I should be doing and what I can do.”
For those who wish to participate, the Swampscott standout protests occur Thursdays from 3-4 p.m. at the monument on Humphrey Street. The Marblehead standouts are scheduled on Saturdays from 3-4 p.m. at the intersection of Lafayette Street and Maple Street.
