CHRISTIANSBURG – The corner of Franklin and Depot Streets has been the location recently for protests. A group of citizens are protesting the Trump administration for recent executive orders and decision making that they say is destroying America.
As the number of protestors continues to grow, however, so do the frustrations of business owners near the protests.
Locals and visitors to Christiansburg who drive by 219 North Franklin St., cannot help but notice the red and white striped building with the blue shutters. A sign on the side of the building displays President Donald Trump picture along with the business sign “Trump Store.” In the business’s parking area stands a display that reads “Get your D.O.G.E. sign here,” representing Trump’s recent initiative, the Department of Government Efficiency. The sign has been redesigned to read “Democrats Officially Getting Exposed.”
On the sidewalks adjacent to the Trump Store, and just across the street from the long-time business Pizza Inn, the number of protestors has continued to grow over the last few weeks. On Wednesday, Feb. 26, individuals lined the streets from the edge of the Trump Store to the corner of Franklin and Depot Streets at the busy intersection. Some cars honk their horns in support as they drive by, while others exchange words of disagreement.
Linda Skeens, holding a sign that states “I Stand with Ukraine” said she has been standing on the street in protest periodically since before the recent presidential election.
“After the election, some of us just got together and said, you know, we can’t stop there,” Skeens said. “We have to get our message out. Not that we just don’t like Trump or Musk, but what is being affected by his presidency and who elected Musk, and he has all this power and makes all these cuts. These are issues important to all Americans.”
Another protestor in attendance Wednesday, Holly Marrow, has been getting the word out about the protests through social media. Marrow appeared Wednesday in a shirt that read, “When injustice becomes law, resistance becomes duty,” a quote often associated with US Supreme Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg.
“We are out here because we are the people who are paying attention to the fact that Trump and Musk are leading us to war and a fascist dictatorship, and people seem to be blind to it, a lot of them. There are no checks and balances. He’s disrespecting and willfully ignoring the judicial system of our government,” Marrow said. “We are very upset about that, and we plan to fight back.”
Inside the Trump Store, owner JoAnne Price spoke about the protestors impact on her business.
“This is not right, coming in my business, and I’m a local business here, and protesting because they disagree with what 77 million people voted into office,” Price said. “They are targeting my store. That is wrong and I’m not going to stand for it.”
Price has also struggled with keeping protestors out of parking areas designated for her store’s customers, she said. For the third week, Price said this has been going on and it is inhibiting the running of her business, as well as nearby businesses.
“Last week we had to have a tow truck out here and it’s costing me money,” Price said. “It’s my business. This is the American dream. To show you their ignorance, on their Facebook page they said, we don’t want to hinder local businesses and Black businesses. I’m Black! The idiots!”
The Trump Store provides Trump supporters with an opportunity to purchase merchandise such as t-shirts, signs, coffee mugs, and hats, among many other things. Price said that 90% of her business includes young customers in the high school and college age range.
“They love what Trump is doing,” Price said.