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BASTROP — Residents flocked to the Bastrop Pedestrian Bridge April 19 as part of the national Hands Off! protest, waving signs and calling for protection of civil liberties in opposition to President Donald Trump’s policies.
Organized by Mary Liz Singleton of the Bastrop County Democratic Party and Ruth Weeks Todd of the Coalition of Democratic Allies, the event mirrored hundreds of similar demonstrations held across the country.
Protesters lined the bridge from 10 a.m. to noon, holding signs and drawing frequent honks and waves from passing traffic.
“Although some people gave us a thumbs down, the responses were mostly positive, much to the delight of the protesters,” Singleton said.
Organizers estimated the local turnout may have surpassed 200 participants, with Singleton noting that Bastrop’s per capita presence outpaced larger demonstrations like Austin’s, which reported about 1,000 protestors.
The nationwide campaign was led by a coalition of civil rights groups, labor unions, veterans, LGBTQ+ advocates and election activists, voicing opposition to policies ranging from immigration enforcement to school voucher initiatives.
Many local demonstrators also took aim at Elon Musk, who continues to expand his Bastrop-based business empire.
The event over the Colorado River remained peaceful and positive throughout its duration, according to organizers.
The Coalition of Democratic Allies is also co-hosting a Rural Texas Summit June 13–14 at the Bastrop Convention Center. The event will include panels, strategy sessions and keynote speakers focused on political organization in rural communities.
Newly elected Texas Democratic Party Chair Kendall Scudder is scheduled to speak at the event.
More information can be found at bastropdemocrats. org.
