“Activism is my answer to despair”: How some Van Ness elders plan to support the April 5 “Hands Off!” rallygoers

We are likely to see many sign-carrying demonstrators on Saturday, April 5th, taking part in the national “Hands Off!” day of action, a nonviolent protest of President Trump and Elon Musk’s efforts to dismantle the U.S. government. Most, though not all, will be heading to the National Mall for what promises to be a large rally at the Washington Monument at noon.

For the many like-minded folks in our neighborhood who won’t be able to attend, there’s an alternative event: a human chain lining Connecticut Avenue, holding up their own signs and rallying the rallygoers on their way to the Mall. Two neighbors at the Van Ness North co-op are part of that organizing effort.

Susan Gillespie (left) and Barbara Green

Susan Gillespie, an 80-something resident, heard about the Hands Off rally from a friend and recruited her neighbor, Barbara Green, to activate people in their building. They hope to symbolically join hands with neighbors all the way from Chevy Chase DC to Cleveland Park.

Gillespie says the results of their organizing efforts have been gratifying.

“Everyone I talk to here,” said Gillespie, “is distressed about assaults to veterans services, Social Security recipients, medical research, NIH, the Department of Education, the climate crisis, among many other issues. And they hate feeling helpless about not being able to respond. Here’s our chance.”

Green, 92, has been an activist since the early years of the Vietnam War.

“I was a draft counselor and helped young men who didn’t want to kill or be killed find alternatives to the draft,” she told Forest Hills Connection. “I told myself I would do something every day to stop the war. That meant marching, picketing, leafletting, organizing, traveling overnight by bus to DC from Michigan, where I lived then, for the big march on the Pentagon in 1967.”

After working as a political appointee in the Michigan state government, Green moved to Washington in 1988 to head the DC office of a national women’s peace organization. She participated in protests against the first Iraq war, and in recent years has been active in many local campaigns for DC Council and mayor. “Now we have to get ready to fight off attacks on Home Rule which the majority in Congress has already signaled.”

Green’s major concern these days is the climate crisis. An active member of Third Act, a national organization for people over 60 who are working hard on the climate issue and democracy, she has taken part in Rocking Chair Rebellions to encourage banks to end massive funding of fossil fuels.

“Activism is my answer to despair,” she said.

Elly Newman

One of Gillespie and Green’s recruits has even more years of activism experience. Elaine (Elly) Newman, 100, was a union organizer for the International Ladies Garment Workers Union during the 1940s. She took part in the 1963 March on Washington. Newman was also the first director of Maryland’s Women’s Commission, and a lifelong member of the National Women’s Democratic Club. Even in her early 90s, Newman was still taking the Metro to the club in Dupont Circle to chair the program committee and serve as vice president of the education fund. Elly still finds time to take part in the many activities at the Van Ness North co-op.

On April 5th, rallygoers will see Newman sitting in her wheelchair at Connecticut Avenue and Veazey Terrace. She will be holding a hand-made sign with this message: “Hands Off My Democracy!”

How to participate in the Connecticut Avenue rally: Make a sign, then make your way to your chosen spot on the avenue at your chosen time the morning of Saturday, April 5th. The rally at the Washington Monument’s Sylvan Theater begins at noon, and organizers expect busloads of protesters will be driving down Connecticut as early as 8 a.m.

On Friday, April 4th, neighbors are invited to drop in at a “Hands Off!” sign-making party at the Chevy Chase Community Center (5601 Connecticut Avenue NW) between 4:30 and 8 p.m. Find details and RSVP here.