Through the 50501 movement, 50 Protests, 50 States, 1 Movement, a Hands off rally was hosted at Cal State Bakersfield on April 19. The event was part of an ongoing protest against the U.S. Representatives, David Valadao and Vince Fong’s proposed cuts to Medicaid.

From Medicaid and Social Security to education and LGBTQ+ rights, the challenges facing recent policies are deeply interconnected. Recognizing this, hundreds of Bakersfield and Kern County residents gathered in solidarity to make their voices heard.

“We need to show everyone in Kern County that this resistance is real here,” said Neel Sannappa, from the Working Families Party. 

Sannappa said that this movement is a way to make sure that Valadao and Fong are more afraid of the voices and movement from the Kern County community rather than Trump. 

“When working families are under attack, what do we do?” asked Sannappa. 

“Stand up, fight back,” chanted the crowd. 

CSUB student leaders,  Marcilla Diaz and Victor Gutierrez Hernandez, spoke up at the rally and shared how they feel about some of the issues that are happening around town and what they do to fight back.

“I am here as a student, as an advocate, and as someone who believes in the power of our voices when we come together,” said Diaz. “The CSU system… is meant to be a place of learning, of equity, of opportunity, but when budgets are slashed… when native students are left unseen and unsupported… our fight continues.”

Following the speeches, they marched around the outskirts of the campus to raise their voices across town.