Macon artists to rally in protest of Trump administration’s deportations

Community members will mobilize on Poplar Street for the second time this month to protest the Trump administration detaining and deporting thousands of immigrants.

The Action in Art demonstration from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday will feature a live mural painting by local artist Kevin “Scene” Lewis, community chalk art and music.

There’s a heightened fear in America, local activist DeMarcus Beckham said, and history is repeating itself. Beckham helped organize Action in Art and is a member of the Ocmulgee Artist Guild.

Macon Rising, the Human Rights Campaign of Georgia, 478 Creatives, Middle Georgia Democratic Socialists of America, Ocmulgee Artist Guild and the 50501 Movement are among co-sponsors and supporters of the art protest. 

People were taught that if they do the right thing the system will work for them, Beckham said, and now they’re seeing that isn’t true.

Saturday’s gathering will focus on expressing anger and concern, creating dialogue, and refining resources to help community members, according to Beckham.

The gathering comes on the heels of last month’s Hands Off non-violent rally that garnered hundreds of participants on Poplar Street. 

“Macon is one of the cradles of cultures here in our great state of Georgia,” Beckham said.

Retired veterans, educators and members of LGBTQ+, Black and religious community will come together Saturday. Beckham said an individual who lived through the AIDS/HIV epidemic will speak about accessibility and local musicians, a comedian and other artists of all mediums will attend.

“We want to make sure our local artists know that we see them, that your art is your protest,” he said. 

This is not Macon’s first art protest, Beckham said. In the wake of George Floyd’s murder in 2020, the community rallied together to protest Confederate monuments in downtown Macon. Artists like Lewis decorated barrier walls surrounding the monuments in a project called “Block the Hate.” The art stayed up for over a month before being turned into an exhibit at the Tubman Museum.

Folks can watch Saturday as Lewis works on a mobile graffiti wall, capturing the feelings of a community on edge.

“We are living in a time where we can no longer sit on our hands and sit idly by,” Beckham said. “We no longer want allies in this movement. We need accomplices.”

Participants do not need to register ahead of time. Beckham encourages all community members and even passersby to be a part of the family friendly demonstration.