By Ann Bley/Citizen Action Group
About 150 protestors were out on the streets in Mesquite again on April 19 as part of a national protest day in commemoration of the 250th anniversary weekend of the start of the American revolution.  250 years ago on April 18, the North Church in Boston signaled two lights to warn the colonists of the approach of British troops:  “one if by land, two if by sea.”  250 years ago on April 19, the first battle of the Revolutionary War was fought, the battle of Lexington and Concord.
Protestors were out this weekend for several reasons.  The foremost and most pressing concern of protestors is that the federal government is actively ignoring the civil rights of people living in America, particularly the principal of “habeas corpus.”  Habeas Corpus allows a person taken into custody to challenge the legality of the imprisonment before a judge, ensuring that no one in America is detained without due cause. Due cause requires authorities to demonstrate a lawful basis for detention; if this cannot be demonstrated, the individual must be released. This is currently NOT happening for many individuals who are being taken into custody in America.
Protestors also were out to encourage our senators and our represenative who are in the state for a Spring recess to actively condemn the unnlawful actions that are ongoing in this administration.  The protestors feel that our elected representatives must do everything that they can to insure the strength of the American democracy.  The protestors want our represenatives to know that they will “have our represenative’s backs” when they take bold action to protect our democracy and the welfare of the American people.
Many were angered by the comments of Gov Lombardo that people who had been out on for the April 5 protests were “paid,” and there were several “Not Paid, Pissed” signs.
Finally many are concerned by proposed cuts to critical government programs in 2025. The current proposed federal 2025 budget makes drastic cuts to the social safety net to include programs such as medicaid, and to many services to include emergency management, veterans healthcare, and worker and consumer protections.  To add insult to injury, Republicans in congress are planning to use these budget cuts to give the richest of Americans tax breaks, this being the exact opposite of what most Americans want. Most Americans want millionaires and billionaires to be taxed porportionately to their earnings.
Protests on April 19 were held in Mesquite on the I-15 bridge and in front of the Mesquite Recreation Center.