Story and photos by; Seth Donovan
February 14th, Valentines Day. A day that most people use to spend quality time with their loved ones, and celebrate one of the greatest emotions that we experience as human beings. But, not everyone did that this year. A group of about 100 or so protestors gathered in Kiener Plaza, St. Louis to hold what they called “The People United” march. The idea of the march was to unite everyone together, and stand up against the current regime in the wake of Donald Trump’s recent ban on transgender people joining the military, and his recent plans to take over the Gaza strip.
The slogan for the event was “They want us to stay divided. Imagine if we united”. During the march, there were numerous chants in support of LGBTQ individuals, the people in Palestine, and other minority groups affected by the recent sanctions by Donald Trump, and the republican party.
Maddie Patrick, 19 years old, when asked how she feels about the recent actions of the current regime, said “I’m scared for me and my family”. Her partner is of hispanic descent.
Claire, 22 told me “I’m angry and scared, not scared for myself necessarily, but for other people, and the other communities I surround myself with”.
One of the event organizers, and local known activist, JD Dixon, 36 years old, had this to say about Donald Trump, “He is perpetuating racism, oppression, and attacking all marginalized groups of people.”
The march lasted about three hours, and at one point was about to go onto the highway, but was stopped by local Police. While at the stop with the police, several members of the community spoke out, and even had state representative of the 78th district, Marty Murray speak to the crowd and discuss his plans for action during his ongoing tenure in the position. Murray has been a state representative since 2024.
Displaying the Mexican flag, a protestor marches down the street, and shouts a chant alongside the crowd.
Photo by; Seth Donovan
Shouting the words “We shut it down” as a part of a chant, a protestor holds onto one of the banners while marching.
Photo by; Seth Donovan
Holding his fist in the air, a protestor gets shouts a chant. There were many chants used throughout the night.
Photo by; Seth Donovan
An activist celebrates some of the things announced by the event organizers at the end of the march. The event organizers have more things planned in the future.
Photo by; Seth Donovan
Missouri state representative Marty Murray speaks to the crowd after they were stopped by police from going onto the highway. Murray is the representative of the 78th district.
Photo by; Seth Donovan
Yelling one of the many chants while at the halfway point of the march, Maddie Patrick, 19, puts her all into the chant. Maddie is “dissapointed, but not surprised” by everything Donald Trump has done recently.
Photo by; Seth Donovan
Holding up a sign, a protestor marches down the street. Around 100 people showed up for Friday’s event.
Photo by; Seth Donovan
Marching towards the finishing point, Sasha, 35, helps the crowd get through a few more chants before the march ended. Sasha was one of the event organizers, and is a well known activist in the St. Louis area.
Photo by; Seth Donovan
Around 100 people showed up in Downtown St. Louis on Valentines day to gather for a march.
Photo by; Seth Donovan
Around 100 people showed up in Downtown St. Louis on Valentines day to gather for a march.
Photo by; Seth Donovan
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