"Free America" protest held in Lafayette on Independence Day
LAFAYETTE, La. (KLFY)- As some Americans celebrate Independence Day, others are using the holiday to speak out in the nationwide "Free America" protest.
The protest was held in downtown Lafayette on Lee and Jefferson Avenue. Demonstrators are speaking out on their concerns with the Trump administration's policies on issues such as LGBTQ+ rights, ICE raids, and immigration policies.
Annie Hollier, one demonstrator, shared she's concerned about possible cuts to healthcare that could come as a result of President Trump's big beautiful bill.
"Oh my god the hospitals," said Hollier. "I'm from Abbeville, Louisiana, it has a rural hospital, those people will have to come, if you have an emergency, you will have to come all the way to Lafayette, speak to some nurses, speak to some doctors, people and children are going to die."
Vicki Robin is a naturalized citizen in America, who is originally from Canada. She said she is aware of how documentation issues may affect others who've gone through the same process.
"My parents are from America, but I was actually born in Canada," said Robin. "I've done the naturalization thing, but I've heard that they are going after naturalized citizens looking for any little mistake in their documentations in order to deport them, there's a lot of people that are Americans."
Hollier urges others to speak out if they want change to happen in their communities.
"I want them to know that they need to pay attention, I need them to know that they're sneaking things through, hidden on napkins, and we're not paying attention, this is not America, and we need to speak up, and we have the right to speak up," said Hollier.