A small but passionate group of individuals were met with honking horns as they waved signs on Mamalahoa Highway Saturday in Waimea in support of postal workers.
“We have to speak out against the crazy things that are happening and hold (Postmaster General Louis) DeJoy accountable,” said demonstrator Vivienne Aronowitz. “Why are they locking mailboxes and trashing sorting machines?”
Aronowitz said the group wanted to show their support for local postal workers who have a critical job to do.
“We just wanted to show them our love, aloha and appreciation and let them know how important they are,” she said. “Our democracy is at stake.”
The group also delivered goodie bags to postal workers at the Kamuela branch to say thank you.
She said the organization North Hawaii Action Network has been holding protests ever since President Donald Trump was elected.
She said the group recently sent out 1,000 postcards urging Waimea residents to vote.
“It makes me feel better to take action. Ranting at the TV or newspaper doesn’t help,” Aronowitz added. “We need to get motivated and mobilized.”
On Saturday in Washington, the House approved legislation in a rare weekend session that would reverse recent changes in U.S. Postal Service operations and send $25 billion to shore up the agency ahead of the November election.
Speaker Nancy Pelosi recalled lawmakers to Washington over objections from Republicans dismissing the action as a stunt. Trump urged a no vote — including, in a Saturday tweet, railing against mail-in ballots expected to surge in the COVID-19 crisis. He has said he wants to block extra funds to the Postal Service.
The daylong session came as an uproar over mail disruptions puts the Postal Service at the center of the nation’s tumultuous election year, with Americans rallying around one of the nation’s oldest and more popular institutions. Millions of people are expected to opt for mail-in ballots to avoid polling places during the coronavirus pandemic.
More than two dozen Republicans broke with the president and backed the bill, which passed 257-150. Democrats led approval, but the legislation is certain to stall in the GOP-held Senate. The White House said the president would veto it.
Facing a backlash over operational changes, new DeJoy testified Friday in the Senate that his “No. 1 priority” as postmaster general is to ensure election mail arrives on time.
But the new postal leader, a Trump ally, said he would not restore the cuts to mailboxes and sorting equipment that have already been made. He could not provide senators with a plan for handling the ballot crush for the election. DeJoy is set to return Monday to testify before the House Oversight Committee.
The bill would reverse the cuts by prohibiting any changes made after January, and provide funds to the agency.
“When people speak out, it is a true democracy,” said Aronowitz.
The Associated Press contributed to this story.
