Despite the unity depicted by colonists during the American Revolution, the country today faces an abundance of inner turmoil–and Lex250 celebrations were not without protests against President Donald Trump. Many event participants affirmed the dividedness of America, with some expressing distaste for the current presidential administration.

“It’s been a 250 year experiment. And right now, the country is teetering on a constitutional crisis and we’re gonna find out if this experiment has come to an end or is going to survive before this administration is over,” Frank Bradford, a reenactor, said.

Protestors from anti-Trump groups such as Indivisible and Hands Off were present to call for collective action against Trump. In the context of Lex250, a celebration of democracy and liberty, these individuals believed that Trump was endangering American values by violating the rule of law. 

“I was motivated to attend today because Lexington is the birthplace of American freedom, and I fear that it [will] become the slow death of American freedom. What starts with that is that we have no rule of law, and if [the] rule of law goes, we lose our checks and balances…Trump is not listening,” Tom, a Hands Off protestor, said.

In particular, demonstrators expressed grievances for the funding cuts of certain government agencies, the increase in misogynistic policies, the disregard for NATO and other global alliances, and the reduction of America’s presence in global trade networks. 

Trump’s actions have been criticized for completely exceeding partisan lines and attacking the country.

“There’s always policy differences, and right and left are always going to argue and never persuade each other about policy differences. This is about process differences. [Trump is] avoiding due process. He’s completely undermining separation of powers, checks and balances,” Tom said.

David, a protestor from Indivisible, echoed Tom’s sentiments.

“This country has… fundamental principles, and they are in threat,” David said. “I feel like democracy is on the way to being a lost cause, and we need to really pull together.”

Still, Lex250 served as a temporary respite to current political conflicts. Thousands of attendees – mainly local Massachusetts residents – attended the event, spurring a sense of unity.

“It’s a beautiful thing to see people come together like this, especially when people are so divided,” Matthew Roberto, a member of the Massachusetts Army National Guard and Wakefield resident, said. “I’m lucky to be an American… God bless America.”

To some spectators, this 250th anniversary was a sign of hope for the future.

“This country is very young. We’re still growing. We’re still learning… We got quite a few hundred years to go before we get it right… but we have to learn from our mistakes,” Richard Bourque, a spectator from Franklin, Massachusetts, said.

Governor Healey, Representative Katherine Clark, and Senator Ed Markey also made appearances at the event, rallying public support and patriotism. Later in the day, during Lexington’s annual Patriots Day parade, congresspeople from the Massachusetts legislature were present to march.

“The atmosphere was euphoric. It was largely one of celebration, excitement, and hope… The vast majority were patriotic, and united in a non-partisan show of support for our great nation,” Michelle Ciccolo, the State Representative for Lexington and parts of Woburn and Winchester, said.

Nevertheless, a recurring call for action rang clear through the events of Lex250. Given dissatisfaction with the Trump Administration, several Lex250 attendees advised the younger generation to actively engage in current happenings.

“Today’s United States is a far cry from the ideals of our nascent nation back in 1775… Our democracy is not free and it’s time the average citizen stepped up and began participating again. Regardless of how you feel about partisan politics, non-participation is not an option if we want to remain a functioning democracy,” Ciccolo said.

Ciccolo’s words were echoed in a speech Governor Healey made later during the Concord celebrations.

“Stay engaged, stand up, and speak out – as the people of Massachusetts did 250 years ago. Together, we will protect the freedoms that were won here. And we will not be intimidated,” Healey said.