The Trump administration has been freezing federal grants and loans as part of the administration’s goal to reduce federal spending. On Tuesday, March 18th, Superior residents rallied together in a protest against freezing federal funds.

Nearly 60 concerned citizens rallied outside the Douglas County courthouse for the Superior Speaks Up protest. Isabella Lyste, one of the organizers of the event, says the frozen federal money is going to cause significant damage even in Superior.

“It includes national parks, federal government workers, education, the Department of Education, U.S. foreign aid. Like, it’s affecting us here, we’re seeing it, and we’re just really wanting to get our voice out and heard that it’s not okay,” Lyste said. “It’s just the beginning of this. Honestly, the federal fund freezes and we’re just starting to see it trickle down. It’s going to affect state budgets here, which just keeps on trickling down to local government.”

WDIO News also recently heard from several farmers in northeastern Minnesota about the lack of accessible federal grants and loans. Another organizer of Superior Speaks Up, Emmitt Appleby, says the freezing federal funds will hurt veterans and low-income families.

“People who rely on Medicaid for their health care. The Department of Education is vital. I mean, it’s such a wide range of things that people are affected by,” Appleby said. “There’s only so much that the average citizen can do. But when your citizens are asking you to speak up for them, it becomes so important to use the power that you have in the government to stand up to federal government.”

Appleby went on to say that with how the Superior residents rallied together, it helps spread awareness on how much people rely on federal grants and loans.

WDIO News did reach out to Wisconsin Senator Ron Johnson’s (R) press office to hear his perspective on the issue. Although we did not hear anything back at this time. There’s another protest organized later this week on Friday, from 4pm to 6pm at City Center Park on Tower Ave. in Superior.