Hundreds in Syracuse join national march for women's rights prior to inauguration [10:56-12:34]
By Alex Grondin
January 20, 2025
Hundreds of Central New Yorkers marched through downtown Syracuse this weekend fighting for women’s rights and equality as part of a nationwide movement.
The crowd that gathered at Syracuse’s Federal building joined in solidarity for the “Our Lives on the Line” national march. The two mile walk in freezing temperatures to the United Methodist Church, fell 48 hours before Donald Trump begins his second presidential term.
“Honestly, I'm very, very nervous,” said Tracy Higginbottom of the inauguration. “He's going to do something very rash and then there won't be the controls to stop him. And that's my biggest fear.”
Higgenbotham is a supporter of women business owners and among the many who coordinated the march, along with Donna Moore co-founder of New Feminists for Justice.
“I was hoping by the time my daughter was, you know a young adult that we would be done fighting these fights, but she’s 25 and here I am still standing here fighting (for women’s rights),” said Moore.
Thirteen-year-old Vivian Bearup and her mother made a point to join the march.
“As a young person, I feel it's important to be here so I can, like learn about, like, really what's going on. And so I can fight for my own freedom in the future,” said Bearup.
Arriving at the Church, May Sabai Phyu, an international activist who fought political persecution in Myanmar, made a call to action for all New Yorkers.
“Sisters and brothers, gender equality and human rights advocates. Our lives are on the line,” Phyu told the crowd. “Your presence here is an act of courage. Leaders must be held accountable for their actions.”
That includes, she said, ensuring equal pay, addressing gender-based violence, and guaranteeing reproductive rights.
Syracuse police rely on communication to foster peaceful protests
By Brycen Pace
April 19, 2025
As dissension grows across Central New York and the country, law enforcement in Syracuse said clear communication with protest organizers is key in keeping events peaceful.
Two weeks ago, thousands of demonstrators gathered in Syracuse’s Forman Park under the banner of “Hands Off!” with minimal incident. The next mass nationwide rally is scheduled to take place Saturday, April 19, with local efforts converging in Baldwinsville under the rally call of National Action Day.
Sgt. Thomas Blake, a public information officer with the Syracuse Police Department, said his team avoided rioting in the past protest by preserving the law.
“First and foremost, we respect people’s right to assemble,” Blake said. “We all sign up for this to protect people’s rights… a lot of us are military members. So, we are fully on board with that – as long as they’re doing it in a respectful manner.”
Prior to Syracuse's rally, Blake said his department worked with protest organizers ahead of time to understand their plans and clarify expectations, including having organizers obtain permits to assemble a large crowd.
“We had what I think is a good working relationship with that particular organizer,” he said of the recent Hands Off! protest.
“They told us what they were planning to do and… we took them at their word. So, it worked out. We didn’t have any issues.”
Still, he said the department drew a clear line when demonstrators posed safety risks – especially when crowds began blocking traffic.
“Imagine if you have a loved one in the back of an ambulance they can’t get through because there’s 500 people in the middle of an intersection chanting,” Blake said. “While we respect the right of certain individuals to protest, we also have to be accountable for the needs and livelihood of everybody else.”
As public frustration grows and movements pick up steam, some protesters have called for more direct tactics. At the Syracuse protest earlier this month, demonstrator Bo Drozda suggested the movement may shift away from formally permitted gatherings.
“I think we're going to have to start going into some more pointed actions like they did in the civil rights movement,” Drozda said. “Where it’s not just big protests in a park where it's permitted. So, we’ll have to move forward and see what's the best way to tackle this from all fronts.”
Sentiments like that have police closely monitoring public comments online with possible connections to the planned protests.
“Sometimes we have what we call ‘keyboard warriors,’” he said. “They put this information out, but they’re not necessarily saying it to us. If somebody brings it to our attention, we’ll try to find out who the tip of the spear is and reach out to them. You’re allowed to protest — we’ll even assist you.”
Blake emphasized that the department’s goal is not to suppress public dissent but to maintain safety.
“We don’t have a problem with protests," he said, "we welcome it. If you’re upset about something, that’s part of being American."
Still, he urged protestors to be aware of their surroundings and avoid groups that may not share the same peaceful intent.
“Most people attending these events are good people frustrated with the current political climate,” Blake said. “But there’s always a few people that ruin it for everybody.”
He advised attendees to stay away from activity they know is illegal and notify police quickly.
“If you see that kind of stuff, remove yourself from that situation,” he said. “And if you think it needs to be brought to our attention, bring it to our attention.”
With additional protests expected throughout the region, Blake said the department will continue to evaluate each event individually. Their approach, he said, comes down to mutual respect and a shared goal of public safety.
“We’re not there to ruin anybody’s time or try to prevent somebody from peacefully protesting. We’re all humans and we want to go home to our wife and kids,” he said.
Officers say they'll continue weigh each event on its own terms and stay ready to respond when needed.
By Brycen Pace & Evan Fay
June 16, 2025
Thousands of Central New Yorkers gathered in Syracuse on Saturday for the nationwide ‘No Kings’ protest. The peaceful demonstration stretched nearly three-quarters of a mile along Solar Street, just outside Destiny USA, with crowds overflowing onto Hiawatha Boulevard.
As the nearly three hour event wrapped up, organizers estimated the group at over 7,000 people, nearly doubling the turnout of the Apr. 5th “HandsOff!” protest.
Steve Simon, a co-coordinator for the protest, explained that there is a pivotal point when the numbers begin to make an impact toward change.
“There’s a scientific goal of 3.5% of the population being actively engaged,” Simon said. “That pressure can be enough to get our representatives to see the light and change through the representative process of government.”
If organizers are correct, more than 5% of Syracuse’s population showed up, well over Simon’s goal.
United States Congressman John Mannion, who represents Syracuse and Greater Central New York, walked amongst the crowd with an American flag and megaphone, leading chants.
“The vast majority did not vote for this, did not vote for political violence, did not vote for breaking the rule of law,” Mannion said, “and it will result eventually in his removal, and the Republicans should already have stood up and stopped the madness.”
Mannion said several Republicans at the rally told him they felt betrayed by recent events.
“I talked to so many people today who voted for this administration and did not vote for these actions. This is not what they voted for. This is not what people want,” Mannion said.
Phyllis DeJohn, a Syracuse native and lifelong Republican, held a handmade sign announcing she is now a “Former Republican.”
“I just can't stand the Congress and him," she shouted over the crowd's din. "They're just going along with them. They don't have any backbone.”
Active-duty military and veterans spanned the crowd as well.
Lisa and Matt, a military couple who asked that we withold their last name for fear of retribution, attended the protest together. Between the two of them, they've served more than a quarter of a century in the military.
“Donald Trump and his administration – with Congress’s support – are cutting VA benefits,” Lisa said. “He’s betrayed our country, he’s betrayed our trust, and he’s betrayed the military.”
Nearby, another veteran holds a placard reading, "This veteran serves the Constitution. Not a king."
Hers is next to Medicaid recipient Mark Mophett's sign reading, “If there's money for a parade, there's money for Medicaid,” referencing the impending multimillion-dollar parade that would soon follow the rallies. President Donald Trump had spent some $45 million for a military pageant commemorating the 250th anniversary of the U.S. Army. It also happened to be Trump's 79th birthday.
“As a veteran I am very much opposed to the dog and pony show he's got going on in D.C.,” Mophett said, “that's North Korea stuff, that’s Russia, that’s not America.”
Stephen Thorley, a retired Syracuse University professor, said he showed up because he, too, could not square how the Trump administration could afford such a relatively rare extravagance in the face of on-going DOGE cuts.
“Using our tax dollars, millions and millions of our tax dollars to have a parade when we need money for Medicaid, we need money for education, we need money for healthcare," he mused aloud, then added, "Democracy is not a spectator sport. If we don't stand up and resist, they'll just take everything, and that's what they're in the process of doing.”
The White House has claimed the parade an appropriate celebration honoring the Army's 250th Anniversary and a success for showing the U.S. military's preparedness and recruitment opportunities.
Second No Kings rally in Syracuse draws thousands in protest of President Donald Trump
By Cate Collins & Brycen Pace
October 20, 2025
The crowds were chanting up Erie Boulevard from Kinne to Genesee Street.
“Show me what America looks like, this is what America looks like!”
It stretched more than a mile in front of Shoppingtown Mall, dwarfing the No Kings rally outside Destiny Mall four months earlier in June. The participants spanned generations, from eight to 80 years of age.
“It's crazy that we have to be here to say No Kings,” said Dave Broustack, a local lawyer, who noted that quite literally, “this is what democracy looks like. This is what America looks like.”
He brought along his eight-year-old son with him.
“The reason why I have come here is because in 1776, when America made a declaration document to get England to not rule us, [that] saved our butts,” he said standing next to his dad. “Now we're starting it again. So, we are going to do more protests and protests until we get Donald Trump out of America.”
Everywhere you looked there were children with their parents. Some were compelled by their parents; others came out to support friends and neighbors who’ve been marginalized by the president.
“I just, I don't like him,” said 13-year-old Stella Smith, “He's making my friends live in fear because many of them are trans, so they're constantly afraid. And I want to support my friends because I care about them.”
Protestors represented just about every race, ethnicity, and gender.
“We're supporting every type of person,” 10-year-old Levi Recore declared, “no matter what their skin color, what they are. We are supporting them.
Eight-year-old Joseph Deloya held his father’s hand as he answered the question, why are you here?
“To protect the people and free them from capture,” he said thoughtfully, then his father whispered, “from tyranny,” spurring the boy to add, “from tyranny.”
Each moment standing alongside the gathering masses created teaching moments for parents. For some, like Carolyn Panzarella, the magnitude of their collective efforts welled up inside.
“I want to teach them to be kind people,” Panzarella said, I just think it's really important for us to spread love and kindness and help others and lift people up even if they don't have the same experiences as us.”
Just a day before the rally, U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson denounced the protests nationwide, calling them “Hate America Rallies.”
“We refer to it by its more accurate description, the Hate America Rally,” Johnson said. “And I’m not sure how anybody can refute that.”
But Central New York Congressman John Mannion, who walked with the crowd carrying an American flag, pushed back.
“These people are proud Americans,” he said. “They’re patriots. They understand the Constitution. Speaker Johnson is trying to discredit them with lies about who they are. He doesn’t want to face reality.”
A few counter-protesters appeared along the sidewalks. One of them, John Greenburg, wore a shirt reading “I ♥ white people.”
“Just a bunch of idiots protesting,” he said. “They have nothing intelligent to say.”
When asked why Greenburg called the crowd idiots, he said, “I asked them a question about why Trump is a fascist. They can't give me one clean answer.”
Still, most demonstrators focused on unity and hope. Underscoring that they came in peace, many demonstrators dressed in bright colorful costumes to deflate rhetoric claiming protestors are angry un-Americans.
“I wanted to show that we’re joyful, pro-democracy people,” said Lucinda Coffin as she stood in a unicorn. “We’re not dangerous or paid agitators. We’re here because we love America.”
That same message echoed from Seneca Falls to Binghamton, with more than 20 “No Kings” rallies across Central New York.
At every one, the message of compassion rang out in chants, songs, and solidarity. Syracuse resident Dolores Perry said the movement’s strength comes from compassion.
“We’ve got to keep our hearts filled with love,” Syracuse resident Dolores Perry reminded everyone. “So many people are full of hate – but love conquers all.”
‘Bring Them Home’: Syracuse rallies for detained Upstate Hospital workers
By Evan Fay
November 11, 2025
A crowd of Syracuse medical workers, union members, community residents, and politicians gathered Monday evening in downtown Syracuse — bearing frigid temperatures and heavy snowfall — to protest the detention of two Upstate Hospital employees.
The rally filled the exterior of the James M. Hanley Federal Building, where speakers called for the release of Alex Gonzalez and Yan Vasquez, a married couple who sought asylum in the United States after fleeing Cuba.
Alex’s cousin, Miriam Manso, said both men attended a scheduled immigration hearing on October 29, when ICE agents forcefully transported them to the Buffalo Federal Detention Center in Batavia, New York.
“They had a routine visit, and as soon as they walked through the door, they were told they were being detained,” Manso said. “We’ve been given no explanation.”
Relatives and coworkers described Alex and Yan as steady contributors to Syracuse life; they are both active union members, they work extensive hours at the hospital, pay U.S taxes, and have advanced through the legal immigration process.
“They were in the final stages of getting their working green cards,” family interpreter Nancy Hayman said. “They bought a house, they bought a car, they’re upstanding members of our society.”
Alex’s other cousin, Jesus Gorra, a Syracuse University Department of Public Safety officer, said he tried to visit the detention center to check on his cousins and get answers the day they were detained.
“I was not allowed in the building,” Gorra said. “After the conversation got a little heated, I pulled out my badge. The gentleman looked at me, they were not willing to identify themselves as officers. They asked if I was their attorney. When I replied no, they shut the door and ended the conversation.”
Gorra added that both Alex and Yan remain in good physical health, but the experience has been emotionally challenging.
“We just found out they were separated from each other in the cells,” Gorra said.
“It’s given them more anxiety,” Hayman added.
Standing at the podium while snow continued to fall, new Syracuse mayor-elect Sharon Owens told residents not to look away.
“Alex and Yan kept their word,” Owens said. “They went through a process set up by our country. Our federal government did not keep its word…When you are taken and you haven’t committed a crime; you have been kidnapped.”
Owens warned against complacency, telling the crowd that ignoring injustice in the community allows more suffering to spread.
“If you ignore the plight of your neighbor because that neighbor doesn’t look like you, speak like you, love like you,” she said, “you better believe that evil will someday knock on your door. Don’t get comfortable.”
As chants of “Bring them home!” echoed outside of the Federal Building, family members said their goal is to see Alex and Yan back home in Syracuse soon, but they have no knowledge of where ICE plans to take them next. The family said both men are sharing an attorney, but only Alex has a confirmed hearing scheduled next week in Batavia.
