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Ashlanders rally in response to Trump's election Jason Houk addresses a crowd on the Ashland Plaza on Wednesday gathered to express their concerns over the election of Donald Trump as president. Photo by John Darling Wednesday Nov 9, 2016 at 7:58 PM Nov 9, 2016 at 7:58 PM By John Darling For the Tidings Some 300 Ashlanders, many holding candles, gathered in the Ashland Plaza on Wednesday, pledging to continue their work on social justice and equality, even as they said they are shocked and scared by the outcome of Tuesday’s presidential election — but overall, the consensus was, it underlined the need to pull together.  As community activist Jason Houk told the crowd, “We’re going to have to rely on ourselves, not the government. We won’t let our neighbor disappear or lose our health care. Our parents and grandparents sacrificed so much so we could be here for this fight and stand in solidarity, working for shared goals.”  Jim Fritz asked for help up on the speaking ledge and announced he is turning 82 and looking forward to the new administration because, “I find hope in the fact you should never underestimate the Republicans’ ability to self-destruct. After they get through sucking up the power for a few months, they start chewing on each other.”  Longtime activist Wes Brain recalled the controversial Republican win of 2000 and how hard it was, like this time, to get out of bed the next day, but, to cheers, added “It isn’t about being Republican or Democrat. It’s about us. We got the Saturday bus restored and we voted 87 percent for the health care advisory to the Legislature. We learned to work together, even though the (parties and media) sold us out. We are the movement here.”  After a chorus of “We Shall Overcome,” Deltra Ferguson said she didn’t feel she was ready to overcome, but was still in mourning from election of Donald Trump as President-elect. “I want you to stand with my family, my wife and me and our children and not just because of who we are. We now have been called to account. We must not be silent anymore. We’re gathered here because we’re afraid and it’s time for courage. We must grieve and then move with clarity.”  Isaac Bevers said we must act now on climate change, but Trump has made it clear we’re not going to have a strong national action on it. He drew cheers when he rousingly said, “We must not give into hate. Remember that whether you’re working on affordable housing or all the other issues, you’re working on climate change.”  Allie Rosenbluth of Rogue Climate said activists and leftist folk must “start talking to white people” and find out where the “homophobic, misogynistic, sexist” sentiments are coming from. “Go talk to someone who voted for him and find out why.”  The rally was part of a nationwide demonstration Wednesday at 5 p.m. by MoveOn.org to express a range of shocked emotions and feelings of anger and powerlessness resulting from the narrow electoral defeat of what seemed likely to be the first woman president, Hillary Clinton, the fifth loser in U.S. history who apparanently won the popular vote for president. John Darling is an Ashland freelance writer. Reach him at [email protected].