A protestor holds a hand-painted sign depicting Renee Good on January 20, 2026. Cindi Psychos / Contributed
Jamestown protest on January 20, 2026. Cindi Psychos / Contributed
A protest against policies and actions taken by the Trump administration took place on First Avenue in Jamestown yesterday at 5 p.m., as part of National Walkout Day, an event led by Women’s March. These protests come at a tumultuous time for the Trump administration, in the aftermath of the ICE shooting of Renee Good in Minneapolis, and among tensions at the international level regarding relations with Greenland. Peaceful protesters lined the sidewalk outside Hugo’s, holding signs and fielding honks and comments from passing cars.
Their message was one of intense concern. “It’s just the foolishness and vindictiveness of this administration… weaponizing the Department of Justice,” said Pastor Marty Toepke-Floyd of First United Methodist Church. He held a megaphone and issued guidance and warnings, as some vehicles drove dangerously to taunt the protesters. Toepke-Floyd said the White House does not align itself with the United Methodist Social Principles, expressing his concern about “the environment, ignoring the science of climate change, ignoring the Constitution, and not investigating a killing on the streets of Minneapolis.”
Another attendee and organizer, Lily Cizadlo, spoke on the gathering, as “Imagine” by John Lennon played in the background: “[I’m feeling] good. Empowered. All the togetherness we’re seeing—and the music has been quite the vibe as well. We’ve got people on all sides singing. I’m very impressed with how it turned out.”
When asked what her main concern was, Cizadlo said, “it comes down to having morals. Sure, it’s political, but aside from that, it comes down to caring for your fellow neighbor, and that’s the basis of being a human being and humanity. Care for your neighbor.”
Altogether, 53 people gathered on First Avenue. Seeing this many people grouped together, all with one goal, is certainly a newsworthy event in Jamestown.
Jamestown protest on January 20, 2026. Cindi Psychos / Contributed
“ICE has always been here. Obama deported so many people.” Cizadlo expressed that there seems to not be enough oversight, or checks and balances, over people in power. “The power’s to the people at the end of the day—there’s way more regular people like us than there is anyone in government. And our voice does matter. People say protesting doesn’t change anything, [and that] it doesn’t get you anywhere. [They say] it doesn’t make a difference, but it does. And you can see that in proven numbers growing everywhere,” said Cizadlo.
The protest was brief, lasting only half an hour, but it sparked a reaction from the community.
Jamestown protest on January 20, 2026. Cindi Psychos / Contributed
Comments