Protesters Rally Against Trump Policies at City Municipal Building

Protesters gathered outside the city municipal building on Feb. 17 to voice opposition to policies enacted by President Donald Trump, part of a “We The People” initiative across the U.S. Locally, the demonstration focused on concerns over education funding cuts, mass deportations, and threats to the balance of power in government.

Among the demonstrators were local educators and District 48 House of Delegates candidate Melody Cartwright, a democrat, who held signs addressing their concerns.

Greg Hackenberg, a STEM teacher at Martinsville Middle School and an organizer of the protest, criticized Trump’s policies on education, the prison system, and judicial authority. He expressed concern about the erosion of separation of powers, warning that the country appeared to be moving toward authoritarianism.

Cartwright emphasized the impact of potential funding cuts on low-income communities, noting that more than 25 percent of residents in the area live in poverty. She called Trump’s actions unconstitutional and urged local representatives to challenge his policies in court.

“It’s just overwhelming how many things we are deeply concerned about, especially for this area where we are over 25 percent living in poverty. For them to take away anything from us is devastating, especially for our children. I think we need to just keep standing up,” said Cartwright. She called Trump’s action “unconstitutional. We need our representatives to back us and keep on sending him to court.”

Callie Hietala, communications and public outreach coordinator for Martinsville City Schools, echoed those concerns. She said that Trump’s administration had undermined trust in democracy, including science, facts, and the electoral system. Hietala warned that dismantling federal education programs could have serious consequences for students in Title I schools, which serve a high percentage of low-income families.

Concerned that Trump is “dismantling” democracy with his actions, Hietala called on “our officials (to) protect us a little bit more. Dismantling the federal branch of education can have significant impacts to our kids in our community,” she said.

Liz Lynch, a STEM teacher at Patrick Henry Elementary School, highlighted the importance of robotics education and workforce preparation. She worried that eliminating funding for STEM programs could hinder students’ future job prospects.

Lynch helps to teach children about robotics, an industry that has a growing need in the workforce. “We push our kids to be the best in robotics.”

If the Department of Education is dismantled it will affect students with special needs, STEM education, and all types of “crucial funding for students,” Hackenberg said, adding that deportation threats have affected his students and raised concerns about the impact of immigration policies on local students.

He recalled incidents during Trump’s first term when some of his students left the country out of fear. One parent reportedly declined to travel for an academic competition near Washington, D.C., due to concerns about U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

Hackenberg described recent deportation policies as “indiscriminate arrests” and pointed to legal protections, such as the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), which prevent schools from disclosing students’ immigration status. He stressed that all children have a right to an education without fear.

Cartwright encouraged residents to stay engaged, emphasizing the importance of state representation in shaping policies. She criticized Republican Del. Phillip Phillips, stating that his effectiveness as a lawmaker had been limited. If power over education and immigration policy shifts back to the states, she argued, having strong advocates in state government will be crucial.

Protesters said they hope their demonstration will inspire more people to speak out on issues affecting education, immigration, and government accountability.