By D. Kevin McNeir
Special to the AFRO
kmcneir@afro.com
From the National Mall in Washington, D.C., to Grant Park in Chicago and Times Square in New York City, thousands of Americans packed public spaces on Oct. 18, to protest the policies of the Trump administration.
More than 2,600 rallies were planned in cities large and small by grassroots activists who hope to build momentum for an opposition movement against the 47th president’s policies, including the slashing of federal programs and resources, Gestapo-style ICE detentions, and political stances like the one that led to the federal government shutdown and the curtailing of services which began on Oct. 1.
But for federal workers who spoke with the AFRO, whether furloughed or fired, banners like “Resist Fascism” or “Nothing is more patriotic than protesting” which were held by demonstrators in D.C., fail to express their fears and concerns about the future.
Keisha Clark-Proctor, 57, an African American mother, now divorced, and a proud federal employee for 37 years, said during previous shutdowns there were policies and procedures in place on which she could rely. This time, however, that is not the case.
“I started with the government in 1986 as a college student and worked my way up to management as an associate director of the Civil Rights and Anti-Harassment Division. So, I felt comfortable with what I had achieved and was planning to retire either at 62 or 65,” said Clark-Proctor, who lives in Bowie, Md., and cares for her elderly mother.
“Then I received a notice that said I had been ‘riffed’ (reduction in force) – an internal phrase we use which means my job had been eliminated,” she said. “We’re a small unit but the work we do is critical to Americans, whether they realize it or not. Truth be told, anyone can be subjected to discrimination – not just because of race or gender, but also because of religion, age, disability, national origin or sexual orientation.”
She estimated that about two-thirds of those within her division, roughly 150 people, were fired and given little hope of being able to transfer to other positions because of new policies which limit movement.
She further added that now, she’s “catching hell.”
“Early retirement was never in my plan, not only because I have health challenges, but because I take care of my mother,” she said, adding that several years ago she purchased the house next door for her mother to occupy so she could be close by.
“I was a dedicated employee and have had a passion for civil rights since my youth because it was my father’s passion, too, and I realized how important ensuring our rights was for all Americans,” she said. “Now, I feel like the government is saying my contributions, my commitment didn’t matter. And that hurts even more than being fired.”
One married couple from Prince George’s County, Md., both in their 30s and Black, work for the federal government and are collectively dealing with being furloughed.
“We received emails from our agencies – that’s how we found out,” said the husband who requested their names be withheld. “While I was disappointed and unaware of what to expect, I thought this would be short-lived, maybe a week. Now our commander-in-chief is saying even after the shutdown is over, we may not receive our back pay.
“We have some money in savings which was planned for situations like this or unexpected hardships. But that money will only go so far. I’ve been with the government since college and for me to find another job which pays as well within the private sector and allows me to use the skills I have developed would be extremely difficult.”
He added that because of federal regulations to which he has agreed in his contract, the best he can do is to “sit home without pay and hope for the best.”
“We don’t go out anymore, we don’t order in anymore, and we assess our financial situation every day,” he said. “But it’s not just us who are being impacted. Federal employees spend money with local businesses. Those businesses are suffering too.”
As for the significance of demonstrations like the “No Kings” rallies on Oct. 18, Clark-Proctor said they “absolutely matter.”
“The only way we are going to be heard is to force the administration to hear us and see us,” she said. “Peaceful protests are among the cornerstones of America and without the right to communicate our concerns, we are no longer a democracy.
“We’re at a crossroads now and the boxes for plans like Project 2025 are being checked off each day. So, protests are not enough. People must show up at the polls, even if they don’t like any of the candidates. When we don’t vote, or when we allow ourselves to become disheartened and give up, we’ve already lost.”
