Local advocacy group Peaceful Bluegrass Resistance held a “die-in” demonstration outside the Fayette District Court building to protest the anticipated consequences of the Trump Administration’s “One Big Beautiful Bill Act.”
Simulating a funeral, the Thursday, July 24, protest had participants lie in “graves,” with the headstones listing potential effects the group said could be caused by H.R.1.
Some causes of death portrayed included pneumonia from being denied Medicaid, a heart attack from rural hospital closures and a fatal fall from cutting funding for the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA).
“I refuse to call it the big beautiful bill, because it is by no means beautiful,” Pamela Duncan, a member of Peaceful Bluegrass Resistance, said. “It is probably the most inhumane piece of legislation that has happened in my lifetime, and probably in history.”
Duncan, who joined the advocacy group in February, said that although some people may feel that politics doesn’t directly affect their lives, it’s important for them to stay informed on current issues facing them.
“A lot of people think that nothing is really going to happen. You know, this is just Washington, and they’re doing these kind of abstract things, and they don’t have anything to do with your job or your life,” Duncan said. “The fact of the matter is they do, they very much do.”
Mike Lauer, a member of Peaceful Bluegrass Resistance, said one of his concerns regarding the bill was widening wealth disparities. He said programs that protect everyday citizens are being cut in favor of the wealthier class.
“The biggest concern is the transfer of money from the poorest in the country to the richest in the country,” Lauer said. “There’s really no moral foundation for something like that to happen.”
Cuts to environmental, food and work safety services were among some of the changes proposed in the bill that Lauer said could lead to serious ramifications for people.
“We’re doing this because the consequences of the bill that was passed are going to be an increase in death rates, increase in sickness, an increase in misery and poverty,” Lauer said. “Things that are not going to improve people’s quality of life.”
Lauer said die-ins have been used as a form of protest before, pointing out they were also used for AIDS activism.
Peaceful Bluegrass Resistance Founder Craig Blair spoke during the demonstration, encouraging attendees to come together and speak out for what they believe in.
“This was a collaborative effort and wouldn’t have happened without our PBR community,” Blair said. “That’s what it’s going to take to turn this s*** show around.”
In his speech, Blair warned of what the future has in store, as he said the consequences of the bill will soon be apparent.
“This look into our dystopian future is made possible by Donald Trump, MAGA, our Republican congress and the cowards sitting on the Supreme Court, not to mention our Republican super majority in the Kentucky State Legislature,” Blair said. “If this is the future that you want, then congratulations, it will be here soon.”
