To the editor: 

I sense a change is coming to New Ulm after spending an hour at the intersection of Broadway and Center on Saturday afternoon. I saw something that felt new in our lovely town. Each of the four corners of the intersection had dozens of people who wanted to make a difference. The organizers said that around 250 people were there. I saw a few people I knew but I saw many I did not know but everyone had a common cause for that hour. Some said that it was cold and the wind made them feel colder but they proudly held their ground.

What made me really feel hopeful was the fact that what was happening in New Ulm was also happening in many other Minnesota towns and also in hundreds of cities all across America. News reports were that well over one thousand cities in America had similar large, friendly rallies.

The signs that people held were so creative and colorful. Those signs pointed out the many thing people want to help save: freedom of speech, the right to assemble, libraries, schools, farmers, help for the poor both here and abroad, and much more. An official cry of “hands off” was very evident.

Hands off Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid, science, veterans, Canada, and more. Some people just drove by but many honked their horns, waved, gave us a thumbs up, or raised up a fist that showed they were with us. A loud roar went up when one guy driving an enormous truck honked his very loud horn. The cheer that went, “This is what democracy looks like” was very inspiring and I thank whoever led that cheer.

This was the third peaceful politically motivated rally in New Ulm this year that was organized by the group called Indivisible. Each time more people have shown up to take part and express their feelings. When is the next rally? I can’t wait.

Lowell Liedman

New Ulm