DOVER — Hundreds visited the state capitol Monday to participate in a demonstration dubbed the "Not My President" protest.
Following a march around The Green, participants finished on the stairs of Legislative Hall.
Despite the windy weather, some visitors attended with their families or pets. Others carried signs reading “Stop the Oligarchy,” “Stop Project 2025," “Tax the Rich” and “Hate Never Made Any Nation Great.”
The event was organized by Indivisible Southern Delaware. Cheryl Siskin, one of its leaders, said the protest had many purposes, but the focus was on the actions of billionaire businessman Elon Musk, who has been working with the Trump administration on government efficiency.
“He’s stealing the country,” she explained. “This cannot be America.”
Ms. Siskin went on to note that she was protesting Mr. Musk’s takeover of data, government and the firing of federal ethics officers.
A fellow protester, Alex Deriemer of Lewes, shared this sentiment, saying, “I’m witnessing the evisceration of our government from an unelected South African oligarch."
He added that it would be one thing if President Donald Trump was making these decisions, but it is another entirely for Mr. Musk to be carrying out these actions, as he “doesn’t even have a position in our government.”
Ryan and Emily Matthews, a Smyrna couple who attended Monday with their family, said they are also alarmed by Mr. Musk’s recent moves.
“Our federal government are allowing a small group of young people led by an unelected billionaire to go in and have all of our information,” Ms. Matthews shared.
Also in attendance was Wilmington resident Leena Jade, who said she made a flyer for the protest and posted it to social media. She wants to emphasize change at a local level, not just a federal one.
“Our state can also decide whether or not it’s going to follow the changes set forth by the federal government,” she said.
Ms. Jade also called attention to the “economic blackout” movement taking place nationwide Feb. 28. The campaign, led by The People’s Union USA, is meant to protest corporations' decisions regarding diversity, equity and inclusion rollbacks.
And Ms. Siskin said there will be more protests, too.
“We need to be in the streets,” she said.
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