RICE LAKE, Wis. (WJMC) — A peaceful protest was held Saturday, in support of the Department of Education.
Organized by the Barron County Democratic Party, more than four dozen local residents gathered Saturday morning in downtown Rice Lake. They held signs, in protest of President Donald Trump’s executive order to abolish the Department of Education.
Party chair Pat Edwardsen, said it was important to protest, for kids and their future.
“The Department of Education funds about 10 percent of the local school districts. So if that money gets taken away, guess who’s property taxes will go up? It will be us and we don’t have that kind of money to do that,” Edwardsen said. “And the Department of Education makes sure there are accommodations for kids with disabilities.”
Edwardsen said protests will be held 10 a.m. until 12 p.m. each Saturday, at the corner of Allen and Main Streets. Each week will focus on one issue.
“We’re trying to inform the public. They need to know these things are under fire. Next week we are going to talk about Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid. That’s a huge, huge thing, I mean, that affects everyone here in town,” Edwardsen said.
“Everyone is welcome. And you know, it’s a nonpartisan thing because it’s everybody’s kids. Everybody you know who is on Social Security or who has Medicaid or something like that. We’re doing this indefinitely until we see change.”
Information and schedules for meetings and protests can be found online at BarronCountyDemocrats.org or by searching “Barron County Democratic Party” on Facebook.