Protestors gathered in windy weather in front of Town Hall on Monday, March 31 in opposition to the policies of President Donald Trump.

A group of about a dozen Wareham residents held signs with slogans like: “Support court independence," and “honk if you believe in ‘We the people.’” Passing cars frequently blew their horns in support while the assembled protestors waved and cheered.

“We want people to understand it's not scary to stand out, this is what we have to do,” said Annie Hayes. “The more of us that stand out for a common cause and not fascism, the more power we have, and it builds from there.”

Several of the signs crafted by protestors called for “court independence" and those assembled expressed a desire to see the judicial system check the president.

Since taking office, Trump has imposed tariffs on American allies like Canada and Mexico as well as antagonizers like China, fueling economic uncertainty. Through dozens of executive orders the president has rolled back environmental protections, made cuts to social programs like Medicaid and Social Security and begun dismantling the Department of Education — while working to fulfill a campaign promise of mass deportation for undocumented immigrants.

“It's only the courts and the people that are standing in the way of all these terrible things happening,” Hayes said.

German-born Wareham resident Manfred Wiegandt wore a hat with the words “Make America Decent Again,” a phrase he wrote. Wiegandt said it is necessary to show people they are “not alone,” because “it is the approach of the Trump regime to make people scared.”

“I heard no people yelling or swearing at us, but a lot of people honking or showing signs of support, so it was encouraging,” Wiegandt said.

Several others said fear motivated them to protest.

“I’m afraid for my country. I’m a veteran, my husband's a veteran, who knows if we’re going to have services for us,” said Candace Johansen. “I’m afraid for my granddaughter.”

Resident Kathy Papalardo agreed with Johansen and said “we the people have to stand up.”

“We have a man and an administration that is running this country like he is a king and he is not and he’s destroying our rights one by one, by one,” Papalardo said.