On a Friday afternoon, the aimless wanderer or even the dedicated speed-walker might hear the raucous sound of car horns bursting forth from the intersection just outside of Collis. No, this isn’t a traffic jam; it’s the site of a protest that has been occurring weekly for the past 35 weeks.
Despite taking place on the perimeter of Dartmouth’s campus, this isn’t a student protest. The group mostly comprises adults from the Upper Valley. They crowd at each corner of the intersection holding a variety of signs with messages about freedom of speech, Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s controversial health policies or some that feature photographs of President Donald Trump and Jeffrey Epstein standing together, among other things.
The organizer of the protests Deborah Nelson said the group is united by the goal of protecting human rights, but some participants expressed individual motivations that compel them to return to West Wheelock Street every week. Protester Rebecca Paquette said that she was there to fight for the safety of future generations.
“I am protesting because I have grandchildren who may grow up in a world that doesn’t have a good environment for them, and are now under a president that doesn’t give a — I won’t say it — about the environment,” Paquette said.
Protestor and veteran Carter Dodge, who attends to advocate for transparency from the military and government, spoke out against the censorship of reporting at the Pentagon under the newly rechristened War Department manned by Donald Trump’s Secretary of War Pete Hegseth.
“We should have [reports] from the Pentagon,” Dodge said. “When the military controls reporting, we won’t get the truth, and we need openness in the Pentagon, because bad things have happened there. I think it’s important that veterans like me stand up for democracy and a continued non-authoritarian government.”
Nelson said that she believes this is an unprecedented time for not only the country, but the College as well. She expressed outrage about the events surrounding May 1, 2024, when 89 people were arrested during pro-Palestinian protests on the Green.
“I have lived in this community for almost 40 years, and I’ve never seen the college president calling the police like [President Sian Beilock] did a year ago in May,” Nelson said.
The protestors’ causes span from Dartmouth-specific to nationwide. However, Nelson said that to them, protesting isn’t really about achieving a widespread impact.
“I’m here primarily for me,” Nelson said. “I’m here because, in good conscience, I can’t not do something. So I think one thing I’m trying to achieve is my personal integrity and sanity.”
Nelson feels a responsibility to speak out, and encourages other community members to do the same.
“There are a number of people who feel constrained for all kinds of different reasons about voicing their opinion,” she said. “And being here shows that there is a community that shares the concern. People come with issues that really matter to them,” she added.
The protests’open forum welcomes all community members for various individual incentives. However, according to Nelson, all of the protestors assemble under the larger objective to “stand up to this kind of authoritarianism,” even though the protestors do not experience the issues they advocate for firsthand.
“Are they paying attention to what we’re doing in Hanover? No … I think a lot of people live in bubbles,” Nelson said. “Hanover is very blue, but that leads to a level of complacency. We don’t see ICE agents. We don’t see this shit happening locally. And this is a reminder: You need to decide. You need to step forward.”
Despite their weighty grievances, Nelson said that she still thinks change is possible.
“What we are doing is all about hope,” she said. “It’s all about taking a position to make things better. And I have to say it’s gonna take a lot of work, but I’m ready to do the work.”
Though the protestors largely do not have affiliations with the College and disagree with some of Dartmouth’s courses of action, they still appreciate the Dartmouth community.
“There was a lovely woman from Dartmouth last week who didn’t picket, but brought candy and handed it out to all the folks who were standing here with someone, and it was one of the most lovely gestures I’ve ever seen,” Dodge said.
The protestors are open to speaking with passersby, and welcoming to anyone, no matter their political stance. They remain tenacious and do not plan on ending their Friday afternoon routine any time in the foreseeable future. So, from 4-5 p.m., they’ll be there.
