MOUNT VERNON — On Saturday, roughly 50 people gathered in Habitat for Humanity’s community space for the first official meeting of Knox County OH Indivisible.
Organizer Meg Galipault briefly reviewed the national Indivisible group, which started in 2017 in response to President Donald Trump’s first election to the White House.
It started as a guide about organizing locally to pressure elected officials.
“It blew up, became very popular, and the groups just started organically throughout the country,” Galipault said.
The Knox County chapter, started in March, is one of more than 1,000 chapters nationwide.
Its purpose is to help restore democracy to its founding principles, particularly the separation of powers that has served us so well, and to improve the quality of life for all, not just the wealthy.
“We are driven to support those who are unable to speak for themselves and ensure that they are not abandoned by poverty, unjust acts, and dehumanization,” she said.
Referencing a social media comment about the group not uniting people, Galipault said the point is that the group is not divided.
“It’s about this group staying together despite what our opponents want to do to divide and make us weaker,” she said.
“Indivisible is not everybody; it is about people who care about our country and are wanting to protect it and wanting to protect each other.”
Effecting change, she said, won’t happen with one leader, protest, or Congressman.
“It means all of us. We’re the only ones who can fix this,” Galipault said.
Galipault told the group that their Public Square rallies are important and have an effect.
“They’re asking questions. That’s what you want. … Standing up — that’s what influences your neighbors,” she said.
Sustained protest on Public Square
Knox County OH Indivisible participants joined Signs on the Square supporters on Public Square before the meeting.
Galipault said the national Indivisible office has vast resources and political insight to guide leaders.
“It facilitates our ability to network with other groups, and contribute to the momentum of groups across the state and country,” she said. “We are able to collectively stand up with one voice. We aren’t duplicating Signs, but rather complementing them.”
Knox County resident Terri Heironimus said she is concerned about democracy.
“I think our president has visions of being a king, and running for a third term. He’s already said that; that is against the constitution,” she said.
She is also concerned about losing money for Medicaid and potentially losing money for Social Security.
“Not so much the payments, but the services. People have a hard enough time getting into a Social Security office without having them closed,” she explained.
Heironimus said Signs on the Square, Hands Off, and Knox County OH Indivisible are separate entities that work together to encourage people to speak out.
She said the groups’ supporters are protesting against things as well as rallying for things.
“We’re certainly protesting against the way this administration is behaving, but I think we’re also protesting for democracy and for the rule of law,” she said.
When asked if she could find common ground with Elon Musk’s efforts to cut waste through the Department of Government Efficiency, Heironimus said, “I think all of us want an efficient and responsible government, and I think there is room for improvement.
“But they are not elected officials, they are not part of the government. They are private citizens coming in and taking, closing departments, firing people. That is unacceptable.”
Fears for the future
Elaine Popewiny said she fears for what her grandchildren will have to live with after President Trump’s term ends.
“I just want him to leave everything alone,” she said.
Popewiny said it is not necessarily the end goal she disagrees with but the way the Trump administration goes about things.
“He can improve the government, but for DOGE to go in and fire people is just not right,” she said.
“Our government is efficient, but it could be more efficient. But just going in and firing people, that’s not the way to do it.”
Knox county resident elaine popewiny
Popewiny said she also fears for Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid, and Head Start.
“He [Trump] wants to close Head Start. I worked for Head Start for a while. I love the program. It’s needed. It’s essential for our small children, our preschool children,” she said.
Popewiny noted that even if things cool down and the Trump administration reinstates some people or agencies, it takes a toll on those the government let go.
“Can you imagine those people that lost their job and are thinking what should we do?” she asked. “They have to pay the bills. I hope that he’s going to rehire them. It’s very stressful.”
Environmental cuts, stock market losses fuel fears for Howard woman
Howard resident Nancy Tapocsi has attended the Saturday protests for about two months.
She is concerned about the environment and losing the food supply.
“I don’t like that we fired all of our environmental scientists. That is so sad because I know that in school they consider it a controversial topic,” she said.
A former preschool teacher, Tapocsi said she fears the country will lose its history and that “schools aren’t allowed to teach things.”
“My husband is a Republican, but he’s not a Trumper. He’s conservative, but this administration is not conservative. They’re spending money left and right. But they’re cutting programs like SNAP benefits and Head Start,” she said.
Tapocsi also cited fears about stock market volatility affecting her granddaughter’s college fund, making it more difficult to vote (voter identification) when there is little evidence of fraud, and arresting people with no trial or evidence that they committed a crime.
“I’m terrified. That’s the basic thing,” Tapocsi said. “I’m so scared because I have grandchildren.”
