Kudos to every person who attended a Hands Off! protest on Saturday, April 5, and thank you to the organizers whose hard work resulted in a turnout that often doubled expectations in every major city in the nation. I was one of approximately 350 citizens standing in the cold rain in Conway center where I was inspired to see so many people displaying signs protesting the various methods Donald Trump and Elon Musk are using to dismantle our democracy.

Now, I’m curious to know why a follow up demonstration has not already been scheduled. It is time to stop playing whack-a-mole, as each news cycle focuses on another absurd maneuver that prevents us from looking behind the curtain. By now, it’s obvious what’s behind the curtain. Progressives and converts need to stand up and shout out, “Throw the bums out,” and we need to do it today, and every day going forward.

If enough pressure is applied to our Democratic politicians who have been sitting on their hands, maybe they will join us. If enough pressure is applied to spineless Republicans who become concerned about job security, maybe they will stand up to the administration and slow things down until the 2026 midterm electricians and allow us to reassemble what’s left of our nation … if we have midterm elections.

Nelson Shifflett

Conway