About 150 people showed up in the snow in Northampton, Massachusetts, on Monday to oppose President Trump's emergency declaration.
The group of state legislators, local politicians and community activists gathered in front of City Hall with signs supporting immigration initiatives.
State Rep. Lindsay Sabadosa, whose district includes Northampton, told the crowd she has a different take on a current state of emergency.
“I have to say that this national emergency is a national emergency,” she said. “The national emergency is that the President of the United States decided that he could actually go into our democracy, and take away power from Congress for a military use.”
Sabadosa and other speakers also stated support for immigration initiatives like de-funding ICE, and allowing undocumented immigrants to receive driver's licenses.
For Larry McAndrew, a retired mail carrier from Westfield, the event was more about asserting constitutional rights than achieving a specific goal.
“It's like flexing a muscle,” he said. “If you don't do it, then when it comes time for something that really is going to happen, you're not ready for it.”
Other rallies were held in Springfield, Hartford, Boston and Brattleboro, Vermont.
