?"Fear is my biggest motivator, outrage a second,? said Lori Dresner, a member of Indivisible Kentucky, describing her feelings as she and husband David Dresner held their signs. ?"And in the big picture, a loss of democracy as this authoritarian government makes headway.?" BRIAN BOHANNON
[All photos by BRIAN BOHANNON]
Next Monday, President Trump will speak at a rally at Freedom Hall, and area protesters got a warm-up Saturday as they turned out by the hundreds for Vice President Mike Pence’s visit with Gov. Matt Bevin and local business leaders in Jeffersontown. Pence was here to sell the Trump administrations changes to the Affordable Care Act.
Chanting This is what democracy looks like, some 600 protesters brandished homemade signs as the vice president’s limousine and entourage passed by on its way to Trane Parts and Distribution Center, 12850 Plantside Drive, where Pences meeting took place.
Indivisible Kentucky’s Save My Care bus provided the backdrop for the rally, which included Kentucky Alliance Against Racism and Oppression, Kentuckians for the Commonwealth, Black Lives Matter, Stand Up Sunday, Jobs for Justice and other members of the Louisville Movement Coalition. They joined to protest for affordable healthcare for all, among other issues.
Democrats for Trump and other Trump supporters were there, too.
Fear is my biggest motivator, outrage a second and, in the big picture, a loss of democracy as this authoritarian government makes headway, said Lori Dresner, a member of Indivisible of Kentucky, as she and husband David Dresner held their signs.
The rally continued outside while the groups waited for Pence to leave, with representatives expressing their concerns while standing on top of a bench in front of the bus. There was a brief confrontation between a few Trump supporters and protesters, and some said they saw a white power sign being flashed at cameras, but the event was nonviolent as participants had pledged at the beginning of the rally.
As Pences motorcade was leaving the meeting just before noon, Chris Rowzee of Indivisible Kentucky ran along the quarter-mile protest route on Plantside Drive, rallying the crowd while two Jeffersontown fire trucks drove along, blocking the view of the vice presidents limousine.
Afterward, Sunnye Sherman and Judy Laning commented on the use of the fire trucks. Were here to protest anything and everything this administration does, and we think its really nice Pence can go back to Washington and tell his boss that he honestly saw no protesters here today, because, J-town fire trucks blocked the view as he was going past all the protesters, said Sherman. And who paid for those fire trucks? asked Laning.
Protesters find their place along Plantside Drive for the arival of Vice President Pence. BRIAN BOHANNONSam Avery of 350 Louisville leads the line of protesters in a pledge to be non-violent. BRIAN BOHANNONKeith Wilhemi chants with protesters warming up for the Vice President’s arrival. BRIAN BOHANNONBRIAN BOHANNONAn American flag is held upside down during a 2017 protest during a Mike Pence visit to Louisville. BRIAN BOHANNONSome signs were home-made, others printed. BRIAN BOHANNONThe protest was in regard to the Republican Party?’s proposed changes to the Affordable Care Act. BRIAN BOHANNONTrump supporters gathered at the corner of Tucker Station Road and Plantside Drive at the head of the line to greet the Vice President. BRIAN BOHANNONTrump supporter Mike Payne displays his sign. BRIAN BOHANNONPatricia Fielding and Jennifer Cooper listen to Groups protest BRIAN BOHANNONThe arrival of the Vice Presidential limousine. BRIAN BOHANNONMedia and protesters react to the passing of the Vice Presidential limousine. BRIAN BOHANNONProtesters wait to share their messages with the Vice President. Groups protest The Republican Party?s proposed changes to the Affordable Care Act during a visit by Vice President Mike Pence with Kentucky Governor Matt Bevin and business leaders Saturday, March 11, 2017 at Trane Parts and Distribution Center, 12850 Plantside Drive, Louisville, Ky. BRIAN BOHANNONJenn Bowers shows her message for the Vice President. BRIAN BOHANNONJeffrey Bryant, said he was with Democrats for Trump, and a Trump supporter. BRIAN BOHANNONHolding a sign that read, “Don’t play with our lives – We all need affordable healthcare,” Melinda Feldman said, “I’m here because I’m an American and I care about healthcare, and not just for myself.” BRIAN BOHANNONSome of the Trump supporters gather together for a picture, one holding what an opposing protester called a white power symbol. BRIAN BOHANNON
?”Fear is my biggest motivator, outrage a second,? said Lori Dresner, a member of Indivisible Kentucky, describing her feelings as she and husband David Dresner held their signs. ?”And in the big picture, a loss of democracy as this authoritarian government makes headway.?” BRIAN BOHANNON
BRIAN BOHANNONButtons Express catered to the crowd with appropriate messages. BRIAN BOHANNONChanelle Helm, a Black Lives Matter of Louisville organizer, speaks near Indivisible Kentucky’s Save My Care Bus. BRIAN BOHANNONChanelle Helm, a Black Lives Matter of Louisville organizer, delivers her message to protesters gathered in front of Indivisible Kentucky’s Save My Care Bus. BRIAN BOHANNONProtest organizers stretch their line from the corner at Tucker Station Road along Plantside Drive closer to where Vice President Pence is speaking. BRIAN BOHANNONChris Rowzee of Indivisible Kentucky leads protesters in a chant as they prepare for the departure of Vice President Pence. BRIAN BOHANNONChanting protesters anticipate their chance to deliver their message to the departing Vice President. BRIAN BOHANNONTrump supporters were on hand for the VicePresident’s visit. BRIAN BOHANNONTwo Jeffersontown Fire Department trucks, left, drive in front of protesters to block Vice President Pence’s view as his entourage leaves the event Saturday. BRIAN BOHANNONThe Vice Presidential limousine passes by protesters on it’s way to the airport. BRIAN BOHANNONGroups protest The Republican Party?’s proposed changes to the Affordable Care Act during a visit by Vice President Mike Pence with Kentucky Governor Matt Bevin and business leaders. BRIAN BOHANNONProtesters shout at the Vice Presidential limousine and it’s convoyas it passes on it’s way to the airport. Groups protest The Republican Party?s proposed changes to the Affordable Care Act during a visit by Vice President Mike Pence with Kentucky Governor Matt Bevin and business leaders Saturday, March 11, 2017 at Trane Parts and Distribution Center, 12850 Plantside Drive, Louisville, Ky. (Photo by Brian Bohannon) BRIAN BOHANNONWith the Vice Presidential limousine now past them, protesters step off the curb into the street, shouting at his entourage as they pass. BRIAN BOHANNONNancy Rocke of Frankfort shouts at the entourage of Vice President Mike Pence as they fade from view. BRIAN BOHANNON
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