THE GOSHEN CHAPTER. Over 200 people came to show their support at the Elkhart county courthouse.

By: Claire McKenna

Staff-Writer

Along with many other protests happening in the state and across the country on April 5, Goshen, Indiana was able to hold their own “Hands Off” protest at the Elkhart county courthouse. Hundreds of people gathered with signs to stand with their community. Some were coming from the South Bend protest that happened a few hours earlier in the day while others were Goshen and Elkhart native.

A few different speakers, including Brian Smith, of Warsaw, chairman of the second congressional district Democratic party, representatives of Food Not Bombs, and Corrine Straight, former director of communications, came to encourage the crowd. 

Gabrianna Gratzol, the organizer of the protest, was just glad to “fill the gap” for Goshen. She realized that Goshen and Elkhart residents couldn’t drive back and forth every week to stay involved, so she created the space these residents needed. 

“The protest was the gathering point. Instead of being anti-everything-that-is-happening, I wanted it to be pro-community and pro-involvement,” Gratzol said. “I don’t want this to be a moment, I wanted it to be a jumping off point.”

Photos // Rafael Tortolero, Cienna King, Claire McKenna

HANDS OFF!

On April 5, people in more than 1,000 cities gathered for rallies under the banner “Hands Off!”, advocating for programs like Medicare, Medicaid, Social Security and veteran benefits to retain their federal funding amid staffing and budget cuts. Protesters also held signs in support of education, immigrants, libraries, abortion rights, LGBTQ+ rights, public lands and free speech. An estimated 2,000 local residents came to the South Bend rally, lining State Road 933 from the Toll Road entrance near St. Mary’s College down to Angela Boulevard. Over 200 people also gathered at the Elkhart County Courthouse in Goshen.