“Oh we’re not gonna take it. No, we ain’t gonna take it. Oh we’re not gonna take it anymore. We’ve got the right to choose it.There ain’t no way we’ll lose it. This is our life, this is our song” We’re not gonna take it, Dee Snyder, Twisted Sister 1984

America today is very different from the way it was in 1984 and yet the words written by Dee Snyder in 1984 seem to fit 2017 perfectly. With every new day comes  a news story that motivates people to take action be it speaking out at a town hall meeting, rallying or marching. People who have never spoken out at a public hearing are showing up to question and share their opinions with elected officials.

Intergovernmental Relations spokesperson John Marafino discussing the County Executive’s position on bill 1190A public hearing on legislation presented by Suffolk County Executive Bellone was before the Suffolk County Legislature Tuesday afternoon. The legislation (1190), an attempt to assess a fee on public gatherings to cover police costs, drew people from all walks of life young, old, from eastern and western Suffolk. Fifteen speakers with little to no advance notice about the public hearing showed up, waited their turn and spoke with confidence about their opposition to the proposed legislation.

Protest outside Renaissance Technologies in SetauketOn March 24 the North Country Peace Group (NCPG) held a rally on 25A in front of Renaissance Technologies, a hedge fund investment management firm (RT) in Setauket. According to the NCPG,  “The North Country Peace Group organized the event to question the connections between Robert Mercer, co-CEO of Renaissance, Steve Bannon, Donald Trump’s chief advisor and former Breitbart News executiv, President Trump and local Congressman Lee Zeldin – and what appears to be their shared role in implementing Mercer’s ultra- conservative, “alt-right vision and agenda for America.” Approximately seventy people walked from Bennetts Road to the Renaissance Technologies entrance on 25A carrying signs decrying the relationship between big money and government policy. In a press release the group said they were “Outraged by a local billionaire’s influence over the U.S. government and the social and economic direction of their country.” This week, according to Newsday, a rally was held outside Robert Mercer’s home in Smithtown. 

Congressman Zeldin’s Patchogue office Healthcare rallyCongressman Zeldin’s Patchogue office Repeal Obamacare marchersCongressman Lee Zeldin has been the subject of much of the angst of activists concerned about his position on the Affordable Health Care Act, Planned Parenthood, and President Trump’s agenda. Rallies have been held outside his Patchogue office and protestors have made appearances at events where Zeldin was in attendance. Constituents unsuccessfuly demanded Zeldin host a town hall meeting. The Congressman hosted a telephone town hall meeting. 

In 2017 people are not wringing their hands and whining, they are active. Receiving letters, post cards, phone calls and petitions is the new norm for elected officials. Congressman Peter King reportedly deleted comments from his facebook page. 

It is not only opposition that is mobilizing. On March 4th there was a pro-Trump rally on Veterans Highway in Hauppauge. Recently The Hill reported that the Mercer group will be running a $1M pro-Trump ad blitz to highlight President Trumps accomplishments.

Does speaking out work? It did at the Suffolk County public hearing where the legislation was tabled and legislators expressed their opposition.  Congress’ attempt to gut the office that investigates ethics was met with public outrage and resulted in the proposal being dropped. The Trump administration recently pulled legislation to repeal and replace the Affordable Health Care Act after hundreds of thousands of people contacted their Congressperson with concerns.

Speaking out is as American as it gets, think American Revolution.  As one gentleman said at the Suffolk County Legislature public hearing, “Ignore your rights and they will go away”. As Dee Snyder wrote “We got the right to choose it, ain’t no way we’ll lose it.” In 2017 regular Americans have found their voice.