Sophie Han '26
Apr 18, 2025
On April 5 several Mercersburg Academy faculty members participated in “Hands Off” rallies held across the country in opposition to the policies and rhetoric of President Donald Trump and businessman Elon Musk. Their decision to attend was driven by a sense of civic responsibility and a desire to live out their democratic values.
English teacher Frank Betkowski, who traveled with his wife, learning services director Margaret Maciulla, to the rally on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., said, “As an educator, I am concerned about the attack on the truth. There’s a sort of misinformation, or perhaps lack of information, appearing on government websites–things as fundamental to our culture as the Smithsonian. As a citizen, I’m concerned about the attack on the Constitution. For me, it’s not a difference between right and left. It’s a difference between right and wrong.”
Music teacher Ben Demerath echoed a similar sentiment saying, “I want us to think about the weight of why these protests are so heavy and vital. Because [Trump] was successfully reelected in spite of being twice impeached, disgraced, and convicted — he was still elected, even though he's using a campaign of hate.”
Organizers anticipated around 12,500 attendees in Washington, D.C., but the turnout was closer to 125,000. “What was striking to me, however, was the relative lack of brown and black faces in the crowd,” Betkowski said, “I think people of color are frightened at this moment in history, which I think is unfortunate, but I understand why.”
Science teachers Will Willis and Betsy Cunningham participated in a local rally in Chambersburg. “I was worried about how people driving by would react to the signs and the people,” Willis said. “But the happy honks, cheers, and thumbs-ups outnumbered the middle fingers and angry yelling by probably ten to one. It was really heartening.”
Among the crowd of protesters, history teacher Allison Stephens raised a sign that read, “Save Education, Save Democracy.” Stephens explained, “Our Secretary of Education is working to dismantle the Department of Education as a federal bureau. If that happens, it’s going to create a lot of inequity. I worry for the attacks on educators and curricula—things that, in my opinion, are keeping students from learning what they need to understand our democracy.”
Demerath contributed to the rallies in a different way—by writing protest songs. “As a songwriter, when I write about these issues, although I rarely do, I don't hold back. It’s moments like these when you have to write and speak truth through creative platforms and the power of expressional art.” He added, “Mercersburg Academy is a place that embodies that. In our mission, we talk about preparing Mercersburg students to lead and serve. I think what we do as educators and citizens is a great example for our community as well.”
“If everyone sits idly by, the irony is that democracy could fail by [citizens] not exercising their democratic rights,” Willis said. “Politicians are supposed to serve the will of their constituents and the American people as a whole, so it's vital to add one's voice. It may seem naive, but individual actions really do matter.”