LETTER: We the People protesters are last line of democracy defense

To Ozaukee Press:

In office for only six weeks last year, Trump had granted blanket clemency to 1,600 people convicted for the Jan. 6 Capitol attack. Elon Musk’s DOGE was axing public-servant careers and mining our personal information. It was a shock-and-awe operation. For empathetic citizens, the harsh reality for asylum seekers and the established law-abiding undocumented was especially disturbing. We had no idea how far it would eventually go, including people disappeared and murders by ICE.

In late February 2025, a Cedarburg resident posted on social media a call to protest on Saturday, March 1, in front of City Hall. At least 125 showed up with handmade posters about their personal grievance and fear for democracy.

This grassroots group began protesting weekly, rotating among Cedarburg, Port Washington, Grafton, Mequon and the I-43 bridges. Good people of Ozaukee County, including disgruntled Republicans, Democrats and Independents, came together to demonstrate for democracy today and the future of children and grandchildren.

The organization ozaukeeindivisible.org was formed and assumed leadership of the growing group. Protest information is posted there. A protest this Saturday, Feb. 28, marks one year since the start of these peaceful actions. It will be in Cedarburg at 10 a.m. in front of City Hall. I invite Press readers to exercise their right to free speech at this critical time in history.

With Trump on a grievance rampage at home and across the world, We the People are the last line of defense of democracy as Trump defies courts and as Republican senators and congressional representatives aid authoritarianism.

Many veterans attend these protests. One told me she was there because she learned in the military that if something needed to be done, they were to step up and do it. Please step up and join us for one hour this Saturday morning.     

Nancy Camden

Mequon