“Hands Off” protest held in Jamestown, part of nationwide effort against federal funding cuts

As first reported by the Jamestown Sun, a protest titled the Jamestown Hands Off March was held alongside other Hands Off events around the state and country. Similar to events held in Bismarck, Fargo, and Minot, around 130 people met in Jamestown on public sidewalks on Mill Hill and 10th Street on Saturday. The event was organized by members of the League of Women Voters of North Dakota, aiming to be a “peaceful collective statement of concern for the checks and balances of government and a call for our representatives to stand up against the destructive cuts to federal services, programs, and jobs,” according to League member Olivia Schloegel. The event responded to DOGE-initiated cuts to Social Security, a USDA program that provided food for schools, Medicaid, the Veterans Administration, education, LGBTQ rights, and more. People at the march attributed their thoughts to the widespread local effects of these funding losses, one attendee citing an $85,000 loss in their retirement account, and others alleging Constitutional violations. Risk of losing democracy was a topic of conversation, with criticisms aimed at Senators Hoeven and Cramer, as they are in support of DOGE cuts. In all, the marchers emphasized uniting together, regardless of opinion, as the Hands Off initiative means our leaders taking “hands off change to certain policies that are going to affect our community.”