At 10:30 a.m. on Saturday mornings, while most Cold Spring residents are just starting their day, a group of local activists stands at the intersection by St. Mary’s and makes their voices heard.
Protesting has increasingly become a regular part of civic life in the community, offering students and residents multiple ways to speak out on issues they care about. From weekly demonstrations to organized events and clubs, these opportunities show how local activism is continuing to grow. The group demonstrating at St. Mary’s focuses on a range of political and social issues, often drawing attention from passing drivers. Many participants said they attended regularly because it gave them a way to stay involved and visible. According to a protestor, Saturday, April 11, was their 60th week in a row.
Senior Leo Grocott, who participated in a local protest, said he believes speaking out is especially important in the current political climate. “I just think it’s really important to advocate for what you believe in, especially in this political era,” he said. “Also, our community is pretty small, and having a group of people come out, rain or shine, every Saturday is pretty special.”
Another senior, Dylan Ambrose, said attending protests helps her feel more involved in creating change. “I go to protests because I think that it’s really important to show up and support different movements,” she said. “For me personally, I really enjoy going to protests and being involved with protests makes me feel more like I’m making an actual impact and working towards fixing the issues I care about.”
One participant of the St. Mary’s April 11 protest, who identified herself as Susan, explained that concerns about the direction of the country motivated her to attend the weekly demonstrations. “I have children and grandchildren, I worry for their future unless we restore respect for the Constitution, which isn’t happening now,” she said. For her, showing up was a way to express those worries in a public space alongside others who felt similarly.
Another participant, Haldane parent Lucas Gonze, added that protests like the one at St. Mary’s were not only about expressing frustration but also about encouraging community members to stay engaged and participate in civic life. “I hope people in the community understand we’re empowered to own our government, steer it, and make it do what we need from it,” he said.
Beyond weekly protests, the community also hosts larger events throughout the year. One example is local No Kings Day protests, which bring together larger groups of people with an emphasis on speaking out on national issues. These events often included organized marches, speeches, and coordinated efforts to raise awareness.
Sophomore Audrey Silverstein, who attended a No Kings Day protest, said she went to support protecting democracy. She described the event as powerful and impactful to attend. “I believe that protests like No Kings Day make an immense difference within our country,” she said.
