To the Editor:

I was honored to stand with a number of other women from our community on Saturday, March 8, on the Ruth Steinkraus Cohen Bridge in Westport on International Women’s Day. We joined nearly 400 other women —and men — of all ages to demonstrate not only for women’s rights but for the rights of all Americans.

What I found of interest was that most of the signage held up in cold and windy conditions was not just about women’s rights that have been stripped away or threatened, but rather signs that expressed disgust toward the Trump/Musk administration (oh yeah, and that other guy: Vance).

We were there to protest the cruel, thoughtless, and dangerous direction into which Trump and his sycophants are dragging this country. We were there to make known dissatisfaction with an unelected billionaire wreaking havoc on every federal agency with no consideration of the domino effect of job loss and loss of experienced people in critical positions. We were there to honor those who choose to love and live differently. We were there to say a safe climate matters; the security of our elderly matters; the healthcare of those less fortunate matters; that our children’s and their children’s futures matter. We were there to show that we do not accept the shameful actions of Trump toward allies and world leaders.

There is a right way and a wrong way to make changes. Trump’s abuse of executive orders and use of Musk’s cudgel-wielding approach is not appropriate.

The demonstration in Westport was only one of hundreds across the country on International Women’s Day. Judging by the number of people honking their horns in support of those on the Ruth Steinkraus Cohen Bridge and by the very small number of negative responses I witnessed, I’d say we are not alone in desiring a Congress willing to take back its power and not cowardly cede it to the executive branch. Checks and balances, and an administration willing to understand there are more people in this country than Trump loyalists, will set us right.

Rallies? Protests? Yes. This is what democracy looks like!

Nancy K. Crevier

Newtown