Demonstrators hold a sign supporting public education at the People’s March in Juneau on March 21, 2025. (Photo by Corinne Smith/Alaska Beacon)
Hundreds rallied at the Alaska State Capitol on Friday for a “People’s March” and to protest and condemn the recent actions of the Trump administration, at home and abroad.
Speakers included lawmakers, artists, teachers, union members and community advocates, including Taylor Beard, with the community group Juneau for Democracy.
“The goal is to get people energized,” Beard said, in an interview after the rally. “President Trump is absolutely moving outside the legal bounds of the Constitution, and it is Congress’s job to hold him in check, and they’re not doing that. So this is part of the reason that we are here protesting today, is because we want people to understand how important this is. We want people to understand that they need to speak up.”
“I know that it feels risky,” she added. “But the thing is, if we look away from this, they’re going to win. We have to stand up and do something about it.”
Demonstrators carried signs reading “It’s a coup!”, “No one voted for Elon,” referring to Elon Musk, and “Save Alaskan jobs. Stop illegal firings.”
“We, the people, have more power than the people in power, and they cannot take that away from us without our permission!” said Jorden Nigro, speaking to the crowd.
Speakers expressed outrage and frustration at Trump’s recent actions including an executive order signed Thursday to begin eliminating the U.S. Department of Education, increased immigration and deportation actions, threats against Gaza and actions taken against Palestine supporters, and firing thousands of federal workers.
“For over a month, I’ve been picking up the pieces of my life, fighting from being branded as a dishonest waste in the government,” said Isabel Dziak, a former ranger with the U.S. Forest Service based at Juneau’s Mendenhall Glacier. “I was the ‘good’ in the government, and to all of the folks who are also Forest Service, or federal employees. You are all the ‘good’ in the government.”
After prayers, chants and speeches in front of the Capitol, demonstrators marched down Main Street to the Sealaska Plaza. Organizers said there is a protest planned for Saturday, April 5, as part of a nationwide “Hands Off!” day of action protesting the Trump administration.
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