If you frequently travel along National Road, you may have noticed a group of protestors lining the street, holding signs that read “Defund Fascism”, “Support Trans Youth”, “Fight 4 Democracy”, “Don’t you deserve better?” or even waving Ukrainian flags.
For weeks now, this growing group has gathered near St. Michael’s Church, standing together in defiance of what they see as an alarming shift in government. They’re not just here to vent their frustrations. They’re here to take action. Saturday, March 8, International Women’s Day, was no different.
What started as a small gathering organized by MOVE (March Ohio Valley Empowerment) has turned into a movement.
“I thought it was going to be maybe 20 or 30 of my friends or something, and it is up to 1,300 now,” said Martha Polinsky, event coordinator for MOVE.
“It was like 1,000 people at first, and then there’s been a couple hundred more people added this time.”
Polinsky and other organizers say their concerns have been building for years, but now, people are finally ready to stand up.
“Concerned is too light of a word. We are terrified, terrified,” Polinsky said. “We’re afraid that the way this is being done is not democratic. It’s not with the Constitution. We feel that these are not the ideals that Musk and Trump are portraying—are not American ideals of democracy at all. We’re afraid that it’s becoming more of a fascist government.”
Her words reflect a fear that’s hard to ignore. Protesters are worried about executive overreach, decline of the economy, and a government they say is no longer fighting for the people.
“We don’t feel like the Democratic senators are thinking about the people. They’re just going along with everything, and the economy is crashing. A lot of people who aren’t going to have Social Security or any kind of benefits are going to suffer,” Polinsky said.
And yet, despite the frustration and worries, the energy here is hopeful. This isn’t just about resisting what’s wrong—it’s about pushing forward and creating a better future where our rights and democracy are not up for debate.
MOVE isn’t acting alone. Next week, the group will partner with the Ohio County Democratic Women’s Club for a national day of action called 50/50/1, which stands for “50 protests. 50 states. 1 movement.”
“Next week, it’s remove corruption, reverse the harm the executive overreach has created, and reclaim our democracy,” said Teddie Grogan, co-president of the Ohio County Democratic Women’s Club, where she also serves as chair of the Community Actions/Social Media/Publicity Committee. She is also the vice chair of the Ohio County Democratic Executive Committee.
Their plan goes far beyond just marching. Organizers are asking people to mail postcards to the White House on March 15, making their voices impossible to ignore.
“It can be funny, it can be poignant, it can be straightforward and rude,” Grogan said.
The Ohio County Democratic Women’s Club takes a different approach than MOVE, choosing specific protests rather than rallying weekly. But despite minor differences, they share the same message: taking action matters.
“Our motto is Action Absorbs Anxiety. So if you’re out there doing something, you’re not as anxious. You feel like you take ownership in it,” Grogan added.
That sense of purpose—of knowing that no matter what happens, you fought; of knowing that you were a voice for those who couldn’t use theirs—has drawn people in from all walks of life. Teenagers, retirees, and even veterans.
“We have all ages. We have a veteran that was here today. We have two of them, actually. We probably have more, but two that I know of,” Polinsky said.
Their presence is a reminder that defending democracy is not just a fight for one generation. Seeing someone who has already fought battles most of us can’t even imagine, still standing, still out on the streets, and continuing to fight for the future, was a powerful moment to witness.
It’s proof that this movement truly is about all of us. It reassures young activists that they’re not alone, that there are people willing to stand beside them, and that the fight for a better future is one we should never back down from.
Among the crowd, I spotted a young girl, Norah Hinton, holding a sign that read “MY FUTURE MATTERS.”
Hinton didn’t say much, but what she did say spoke volumes. Sometimes, just a few words can be worth more than thousands.
“I just feel like if we do this, the world might understand that this matters,” she said.
At a protest filled with longtime activists and experienced voices, her presence made a powerful statement. This protest, this activism, this need to stand up and speak out, isn’t just about today. It’s about the future—OUR future.
Not everyone passing by was supportive. Some drivers slowed down just to scream at protesters, chanting “Elon, Elon, Elon!” or yelling “Joe Biden sucks!” Others leaned out of their windows, hurling insults or booing, sometimes so focused on spewing negativity that they nearly crashed their cars.
But the honks of agreement, the cheers, and the waves of encouragement overtook the hate. No matter how loud the opposition tried to be, the protesters were louder.
It’s easy to feel powerless when the world seems to be moving in the wrong direction. But what’s happening in Wheeling is proof that people still have a say. These protesters, whether they’re 60-year-old retirees worried about Social Security, or young people just beginning to understand the power of their voices, refuse to stay silent.
Nancy Johnson, one of the protesters, put it best.
“We’re here to basically kind of show everybody that you’re not really alone. Everything is really dark right now, a little scary, but we’re all coming out here together as a community.”
And that, more than anything, is why this movement matters.
The fight for democracy, rights, and a better future doesn’t end when everyone goes home and the signs are put away for the night. It’s not just about showing up. It’s about pushing forward, refusing to let our frustrations turn into defeat, and turning our anger into action.
These protestors know that change doesn’t happen overnight, and they know that this fight is bigger than a few days on the street. But they also know they don’t have to fight alone.
For those looking to take action beyond the protests, the Ohio County Democratic Women’s Club offers a space to get involved, make a plan, and demand better. Teddie Grogan encourages everyone to join, noting that men are also welcome to join as associates. The group meets on the third Wednesday of every month at 5:30 p.m. at The First State Capitol (1413 Eoff Street), with the next meeting on March 19.
There’s something powerful in knowing you’re not alone. In knowing that there are others who see what is happening and refuse to stay silent. Week after week, they continue to show up. Not out of anger, but out of the belief in a better future. The movement is continuing to grow, and the voices are becoming harder to ignore. No matter what obstacles stand in the way, these activists continue to stand strong, because the battle they’re fighting is for all of us.
It’s not just about protesting. It’s about creating a future where we are not held back or silenced by our government, all of our voices are heard, and the changes we dream of become a reality.
