Photo by Joselyn King Protestors voicing opposition to the policies set forth by President Donald Trump and Project 2025 stand outside the First State Capitol Building in Wheeling on Wednesday. The protest was part of a effort organized by the Ohio County Democratic Women as part of the #50501 national protest, which stands for “50 protests, 50 states in one day.” Protestors came with messages to “reject fascism” and “defend our democracy.”

WHEELING – Protestors will gather in Elm Grove Saturday to tell state and federal government leaders to keep their hands off funding for such programs as Medicaid, Medicare, medical research and Social Security.

The “Hands Off” protest is slated to happen from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday at the intersection of National Road and Kruger Street near McDonalds. Participants are asked to park along the side streets and not in the parking lots of local businesses.

The Ohio County Democratic Women is sponsoring the event, along with the groups Indivisible and MoveOn and the 50-51 movement.

Barb LaRue, president of the Ohio County Democratic Women, said she expects “hundreds” to attend.

“We’re hoping for good weather,” she said. “People should be excited to get out and voice their opinions. We are in a mess now. People are mad, upset and coming out, and we need to pull it together and keep protesting.

“I hope that as many people come out and protest as they can. Protests have been getting larger and larger. People are talking about it, reading about it and listening. Our only option is to get out and protest this nonsense coming out of Washington D.C.”

Other “Hands Off” protests will be happening in Washington and across the nation on Saturday.

Local groups have been protesting on Saturdays in recent weeks, and LaRue said she sees the number of those participating increasing.

“I feel people are finally coming together. I have hope for the future, instead of dismay,” she said. “Our grandchildren are worth fighting for.

“We’ve grown more in the last month and we’re gaining more people. There is too much at stake. People are losing their jobs, losing medicare, medicaid and social security. We’ve paid into social security for years We’ve just got to pull together.”

LaRue added the Ohio County Democratic Women have picked up more members through the recent protests.

“We have to fight for the kids. They have no voice,” she continued. “But I have seen people of all ages at the protest – not just one segment of the population. Our democracy is at stake.”