In an editorial, Knitty Gritty JC member Gerald members gives his two cents on why Hudson County residents must continue to protest President Donald Trump’s (R) policies.
Many Hudson County residents participated in the anti-Trump “No Kings” protests on June 14, 2025, one of the largest single-day mobilizations in US history.
Millions gathered in over 2,000 protests across all 50 states, including in Jersey City and Manhattan.
Throughout US history, social movements have shaped government policies and public opinion. The colonists’ protests against British rule, including the Boston Tea Party, were a major catalyst for the Revolution.
The women’s suffrage movement, starting with the 1848 Seneca Falls Convention, brought women the vote.
Before the Civil War, anti-slavery protestors helped turn popular opinion against that heinous institution. The Civil Rights Movement of the mid-20th century, and the anti-Vietnam War protests that
As Americans, we have the right to gather in public spaces and make our voices heard. To paraphrase Thomas Jefferson, remaining quiet when the conduct of those in power causes harm, is the forerunner of death to public liberty.
The rights which ensure that individuals can act according to their own will, participate in society, and pursue their chosen activities without undue restrictions are part of public liberty.
We in Hudson County have many good reasons to protest. By making it very difficult for immigrants to access legal representation, Trump’s Executive Actions have undermined due process.
The president is attempting to strip immigrants of the possibility of a fair outcome in our immigration court system, ensuring deportation for many people who have the legal right to remain in the country.
Hudson County is particularly vulnerable to such abuses of power. Nearly half of all of our residents were born outside the United States, totaling about 300,000 persons.
About 20 percent of Hudson County residents are not United States citizens, about three times the proportion in the nation as a whole (according to 2022 statistics).
There are other reasons we must protest, too. In Hudson County more than 170,000 people are covered by Medicaid.
Trump’s “Big Beautiful Bill” which has been enacted contains the largest Medicaid cut on record: nearly one trillion. It will also deprive low-income residents of much-needed food assistance.
Approximately 100,000 people in Hudson County receive Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits, known as food stamps. This federal program helps low-income individuals and families pay for food.
The Congressional Budget Office estimates that as a result of Trump’s budget bill 3.2 million adults will lose SNAP benefits each month. Our area would be particularly hard hit.
It’s not simply the poor and the undocumented who will suffer from Trump’s policies. Under the enacted Bill, about 12 million people are to lose coverage. In Hudson County, more than 58,000 people are covered by Medicare.
These budget cuts are designed to partially offset a more than 4 trillion-dollar tax cut that will primarily benefit millionaires and corporations.
This is an immense exercise in reverse Robin-Hoodism, taking resources away from those who need them and giving the money to the already rich.
By protesting we apply leverage on elected officials to blunt Trump’s plans, embolden other leaders to stand up to his threats, and build the electoral power we need to vote out the enablers of Trump’s agenda.
Gerald Miller, a retired attorney, is a member of Knitty Gritty JC, a pro-democracy group.
Hudson County residents need to get out and vote. All this protesting is fine – but turnout in the June Primaries was something like 20%! This with a Governor to elect. The best way to “resist” Donald Trump is to identify qualified candidates, let them tell the public what they plan to do if elected and run them through a legitimate vetting process.
It was great to have so many options for Governor and Assembly etc – now that needs to happen on a national level.
The Irony being, the republicans did offer their voters several different options. The Dems kicked their candidate out after a disastrous debate and coronated their candidate in a back room deal all in the name of democracy. The sweetest part is that exit polls indicated individuals who has “protecting democracy” as their number one issue, actually broke for Trump.
He’s imposing 50% tariffs on Brazil to save the bacon of his fellow election losing right-wing insurrectionist
First of all, that’s only supposed to be done in the event of a national emergency. There is none. So much for checks and balances. Second, American citizens will pay for this stunt in the price of coffee, beef and juice.
There does not seem to be any threat to democracy that will awaken maga from its stupor. And you’re the proof.