It was cold in Binghamton on March 28, 2026.
Not just chilly — it was that sharp, late-season cold that hits harder after a stretch of warmer days. The kind that makes you instantly regret forgetting your gloves. (I did. My hands were freezing!)
And then it started snowing.
Still, people showed up.
A Crowd That Showed Up Anyway
Hundreds — maybe even a couple thousand — gathered on the Broome County Courthouse lawn at 2pm.
There were speakers. (And several excellent speeches, of only a few I managed to record for the vlog before my aching body forced me to take a break.)
There were tables set up by local groups doing outreach.
There were people having real conversations — not just passing through.
It felt organized, but also human. Grounded. Local.
And when the march began, we moved together through the streets of Binghamton — signs raised, voices carrying, cars passing by and honking in support. (And my cowbell, too.)
That sound matters more than people think.
It’s small, but it’s not.
The Energy of the Day
This wasn’t just a crowd — it was a mix of people choosing to be there.
Some serious.
Some hopeful.
Some loud.
Some just quietly present.
And yes — I was there too, in a frog onesie, and cowbell hanging from my neck.
Because sometimes resistance looks like urgency.
And sometimes it looks like mockery.
❗ The Other Thing That Happened During the Rally…
This part angers me.
At the beginning of the march, there was a visible skirmish involving a young woman and a man who had been moving through the crowd.
It happened quickly. People kept walking.
And that’s the part that’s hard to sit with.
Because moments like that test a crowd — and in that moment, the response wasn’t immediate.
Later, that same individual directed aggressive attention toward me before realizing I was recording the crowd he was in — yelling from a distance, then ultimately moving on.
Since then, multiple people have come forward describing similar interactions with him, that intertwine into the same big story.
🔍 What This Revealed About Community Response
Most people showed up for the right reasons.
Most people were peaceful.
Most people cared.
But when something went wrong, there was hesitation.
And that matters.
Because movements aren’t just about showing up.
They’re about how we respond to each other in real time.
🧠 Nonviolence Isn’t Passive
Events like this are built on nonviolence.
But nonviolence doesn’t mean doing nothing.
It means:
- noticing when something isn’t right
- stepping in when it’s safe
- supporting the person affected
Community safety doesn’t just happen automatically.
It’s something we actively create — together.
🛑 A Note on Accountability
It’s possible to hold two truths at once:
Someone may be dealing with personal struggles.
And their behavior can still cause harm.
Those things are not mutually exclusive.
But harm — especially toward women in public spaces — cannot be minimized or ignored.
🤝 Local Resources & Staying Involved
If you want to stay engaged locally, here are a few places to start:
- Broome County Democratic Committee
- Indivisible (check for local chapters/events)
- New York Civil Liberties Union (NYCLU)
- Crime Victims Assistance Center (CVAC)
You can also find upcoming events and actions through organizing platforms like Mobilize.
And you should also know that you can reach the United Way by dialing 211 on your phone. It’s a free, confidential service that connects you with local help — everything from housing and food support to mental health resources, addiction services, and help with bills. If things feel overwhelming, or you’re not sure where to start, 211 can point you in the right direction.
💬 Final Thoughts
Binghamton showed up.
In the cold.
In the snow.
In a moment that felt bigger than any one person.
But showing up is only the beginning.
We have to:
- pay attention
- support each other
- and respond when it matters
Because community isn’t just presence.
It’s action.
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