As part of a nationwide walkout, a large crowd formed along Humphrey Street on Tuesday, January 20 to voice their concerns with President Donald Trump’s administration.

The walkout, organized by the Women’s March and titled “Free America,” was driven by the want to “stop cooperating with fascism and fight for a free America,” according to the organization. In Swampscott, protestors held signs that opposed Trump and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Other signs demanded the release of the Jeffery Epstein files.

As temperatures barely reached 20 degrees Fahrenheit, the crowd spent well over an hour waving at passersby as a rotating playlist of music played from a loud speaker. Police officers were present to ease the flow of traffic and let people cross the road on a busy Humphrey Street.

The honking from cars was continuous throughout the protest.

“I love hearing people honk their horns,” said Margaret Keyes. “It’s a small thing, but it really means a lot. It means they feel what you’re feeling, and that’s a great feeling.”

Keyes, holding a sign reading “Enough is Enough,” said she feels the country is trending in a direction that is really dangerous.

“ICE has to go,” said Keyes. “Trump has to go.”

She wants to spread the importance of showing up at the polls on voting days. Keyes also revealed that she curated the playlist for the afternoon, choosing songs that “mean something.”

“I’m trying to stay positive and it’s really great to be out here with like-minded people,” said Keyes.

Also present was Michael Paquette, who organizes a weekly walkout every Thursday. Paquette also organized a No Kings rally in town in October. Paquette classified Tuesday’s walkout as a “pro-democracy rally.” He said it was very encouraging to see the amount of people participating.

“There are a lot of different issues at this time,” said Paquette. “There’s ICE, there’s Venezuela, there’s Greenland. The list goes on and on.”

Paquette carried his favorite sign, which read “Dump Trump.”

“It’s very concise,” he said.

Paquette said he hopes to see representatives in Washington D.C. start to put more pressure on the Trump Administration.

“If you don’t act, that says you’re doing something by not acting,” said Paquette. “It’s not acceptable in this day and age because sooner or later your rights are going to be impacted as well.”

Rosie Vaughan equated the federal government to a fish, saying that the species “starts rotting from the head, and our fish at the top is very disgraceful.”

“What’s happening in our country is a disgrace,” Vaughan said. “You can’t go out your door without an ID on you. I didn’t know you needed papers in the United States to leave your house.”

Vaughan said she can’t watch the news recently without feeling sick to her stomach.

“That’s why I’m here,” said Vaughan. “I’m not just gonna sit at home anymore and just feel sick. I’ve got to get out and try to do something. This isn’t a lot but I’m doing my part.”

There was one counter-protester present, holding a sign in support of ICE. It was mostly peaceful, however, unlike at the October No Kings rally when a counter-protestor was arrested for fighting with another Trump supporter.