Glennallen Rally Against Federal Cuts
Demonstrators marching between the Glennallen Courthouse and the IGA. Photo by Allison Sayer.
Note: This article has been edited to change a typo that stated: “Another five remained by the courthouse with a sign inviting passers-by to engage with them on the subject of federal workers, although one accepted the invitation.” It should have stated “although none accepted the invitation.”
by Allison Sayer
On March 8, a group of Copper Basin residents held an event advertised as a “peaceful protest in support of our federally funded agencies, programs and organizations.” The organizer was a local resident not acting on behalf of any existing organization.
Sixteen people walked from the Glennallen courthouse to the IGA. Another five remained by the courthouse with a sign inviting passers-by to engage with them on the subject of federal workers, although none accepted the invitation.
Dozens of cars passed by during the walk. At least a quarter of the drivers gave a honk with a friendly wave or thumbs up. At least half drove on without any visible reaction. One or two “flipped the bird,” and a handful more made their opposition clear by frowning or shaking their heads. All traffic, pro or anti rally, drove in a safe manner around the pedestrian demonstrators.
I spoke with some of the demonstrators to learn why they attended the rally, and what their specific concerns were for themselves and the Copper Basin.
Meg Jensen, who worked for the BLM and NPS for a combined 34 years, including as the superintendent for Wrangell St Elias National Park, wanted to advocate for federal funds to be released to keep state governments and agencies “working.” Reflecting on her time as a federal employee, she said, “You’ve always got one person who’s not a top performer, but right now they’re terrorizing people.” She expressed concern for current federal employees: “How can they do their best when it’s chaos?”
Brandie Radigan, who is on the board of the local VFW, said she is distressed by the reduction in workforce at the Veterans’ Association (VA.) She was especially passionate about the role of VA employees in preventing suicide among veterans. On a personal level, she was concerned because she works for a non profit organization that receives federal grants to clean up pollution in village sites. She is not sure what funds will be accessible to prepare for field season, and is concerned for the welfare of the villages served.
Local resident Cliff Eames had wide ranging concerns about the big picture. He is opposed to cuts to the National Institutes of Health and the Department of Education and U.S. withdrawal from the World Health Organization. He also expressed “distress” that the U.S. did not support the United Nations condemnation of Vladimir Putin, and stated his opinion of unease about American “democracy.”
Eames’ close to home concern was for “friends who are making positive impacts” in the Copper Basin who are either federal employees or working with federal funds. He added that his experience with federal employees was “they cared about their jobs.”
Bruce Gordon, a veteran who originally came to the Copper Basin as a Bureau of Land Management firefighter, stated he was attending the rally because of his opinion the Trump administration has “compromised the government.” Gordon’s main personal concern was for “Social Security.”
Although Donald Trump stated in remarks to Congress he “will not touch Social Security [benefits],” Elon Musk stated in an interview with Larry Kudlow on Fox Business that between 500 and 700 billion dollars can be cut from “entitlement spending” including Social Security by eliminating “waste and fraud.” The Social Security Administration’s website states current employees are offered a buyout option with the goal of eliminating at least 7,000 employees.
Several people involved, including the organizer, requested that their names not appear in the paper.