New citizen coalition to hold downtown rally protesting Trump administration

A retired veteran, a local dentist and faith leaders will be among the community members gathering on Poplar Street in downtown Macon Saturday for a Hands Off non-violent rally, organized by local coalition Macon Rising. 

More than 300 people — including some from other parts of Middle Georgia — signed up to participate in the National Day of Action, protesting the Trump administration’s recent dismantling of several programs and services.

Macon community members Abby Aiello, She Keene and Elizabeth Lott launched Macon Rising, a nonpartisan coalition of neighbors and community leaders from various political backgrounds focused around three core values: unity, democracy and action. 

Organizations such as Macon Trouble, Georgia Women (And Those Who Stand With Us) and Hope, Joy and Democracy are a part of the coalition. Macon Rising has attracted the support of various backgrounds and ages as well, such as a democratic socialist group from Mercer University.

The current administration’s agenda affects everyone in some way, Aiello said, from public education to health care, scientific research and even religion. 

Aiello, a mother of three who has lived in Macon since 2017, works in corporate development for a health nonprofit. She first dabbled in political campaigning in October when she helped organize a Harris/Walz fundraiser in Macon.

Trump’s election day win left Aiello and others feeling frustrated and ignited a call for action. 

“Our elected officials that work for us, they’re not speaking out for us,” said Keene, a Macon native and political independent. “So we’re going to speak out.”

The coalition aims to uplift existing action groups in Macon and offer a platform for everyday citizens to voice their concerns.

“Some small groups are doing some really powerful things,” Aiello said. “We don’t need to recreate the wheel.”

More than 100 community members attended the first Macon Rising interest meeting at Keene’s home. Many Middle Georgians were simply excited to see action in their own backyard, as most of the public dissent has come from Atlanta, Aiello said.

The first meeting gave folks a space to share their concerns and fears with the decisions coming from the current administration.

Change is good, Keene said, but executive orders enacted unconstitutionally and at the expense of democracy are not okay. She has taken an active role in local protest, for example, by attending the recent Austin Scott empty seat protest. 

Once a single mom working as an engineer and software developer in the government contracting industry, she is now a mixed media artist and founder of Redefining She. 

“I always wanted to leave my professional arena better for the women following, and it is not right now,” Keene said. “With a stroke of a pen, it’s no longer as good as it was when I left it.”

Macon Rising’s efforts won’t end on Saturday, however. The next step is to listen, be involved and keep an ear on the community, the co-founders said.

Keene and Aiello want to bring the organization’s presence to school board meetings, city council meetings and the like. They also hope to host educational sessions, panels and forums to keep their members socially and politically engaged.

Sign up online for the rally on Saturday, April 5 from 1 to 2:30 p.m.