Thousands of Democrats bundled on an ice -cold night and headed for the center of Omaha. It is a blue dot in a red state.
The group completely in panic by Americans was looking for guidance on how to fight back against President Donald Trump's agenda.
And the man of the hour was Senator Bernie Sanders, who launched his new national tour in Nebraska.
Some those present who showed up were old supporters. Others were Democrats who were shocked by what they saw from Washington at the start of Trump's second term.
'I don't understand how he can just put it [billionaire Elon] Musk responsible for things and creates this Ministry of Government Efficiency, which makes the government less efficient, “said Michael Pradher, a 70-year-old retired person.
“It seems that it is a total acquisition of the government, where they don't even get checks or balances from the congress,” said Pradher. “It's shocking.”
“I swore and did my service for the Constitution and all the rights it protects, and I see every day that there is always a potential for a step back,” said Veteran Benjamin Dominguez, 32.
More than 2,400 people gathered in Omaha, NE on February 21 to hear what Senator Bernie Sanders (I-VT.) Thinks they should do to fight back against President Trump's agenda and billionaire supporters
“I am a retired lawyer, and I am most offended by what he has done about the judicial system and the way in which he simply destroys everything we have all worked for since Watergate,” said Pamela Anderson, 70.
Her husband Marvin, 72, agreed.
'I still remember Watergate very well. I attended one of the hearings of the Senate on Watergate and this Watergate faded compared to Trump's attack on the Constitution and government institutions, presidential standards, “he said.
Democrats fear that the country will be less safe and healthy under the control of Trump, and he will insulate allies to the point where no one comes to support the US in a time of need.
A progressive crowd can be expected for a Sanders event. But some public members said they were just looking for guidance and some feeling of hope.
“To be honest, it is surprising to see all of this happening in real time,” said Ahria Dominguez, 26. She said she never thought she would see a small group of billionaires like Musk handed over control “today.”
“Hitler only took a month to take over the government,” said Veteran Tim Arnold, 69. “This is exactly like what they did.”
Arnold called the situation 'Panic Time'.
There was a deep feeling of frustration and nerves were sharp. A woman started crying when her friend discussed the state of the country.
“I feel that he really wants to be a dictator,” said Angela Gourley, 56, of Trump. She also compared the situation with Germany from the 1930s.
“Soon I feel that it doesn't matter, our voices may not be counted, so we have to do something before it's too late,” Gourley went on.
Democrats went crazy about the nominees of Trump's cabinet, social media posts about the law and a 'king', efforts to lower the federal government and Gop attacks on the courts
Several attendees told DailyMail.com that they had called and written their representatives and senators. During his comments, Sanders insisted on more people to also contact their legislators.
Nebraska has a fully republican congress delegation and Democrats said they believe that Gop members are scared and intimidated.
'The senators and the Republican representatives are the worst because they all fall in line. Get out of the line and do the right one, “said Susan Lyons, 62.
Lyons said she was shocked by the dismissing of federal workers and 'just the cruelty' in how it was performed.
“I just can't believe that people act in this way, especially the people who claim to be religious,” she said. “They don't care about the people. It's terrible. '
While the anger in Omaha was largely aimed at congress republicans who give up their checks and balances without a whimmer of protest, those present were largely laid down with the fact that Democrats are in the minority and had limited options to press back.
But some people present believed that Democrats had to do more.
“It is not necessary to go to the dual side,” said Michael Sutton Depennes, 29. “If we were to be strongly armed, we just have to give the favor back.”
“We stepped on too long, and too many Democrats are just finished, and that has to stop,” he went on.
The Andersons were also disappointed that Democrats indicated that they could work in the aisle in any time.
'The first few days they all said:' Oh, we will work together. We will work in the aisle, “like, no, that's not what we want,” said Pamela Anderson.
'Get up and protest it. Make it known how terrible these things are. But it was almost as if you gave them a seal of approval by not saying that this is disgusting, “she said.
'It seems that we have thrown a bit in the towel. It doesn't feel like there's a will or desire to even press back on something, “Dominguez said.
“I think it's now about the courts to stop all these things,” said Arnold.
Many expressed a sense of exhaustion. Some have expressed concern, they believe that people feel overwhelmed, so they have been rejected from the news for the time being and are desperately looking for a break after a brutal election year.
Where Democrats have found comfort is the fact that the US will keep midterms next year.
“I hope that more and more people, more and more conference people, will see that their voters are actually being wounded by all this, and that they will make back room alliances if they have to overcome this cowardice,” Anderson said.
Others believe that their own colleagues, who voted Republican, are already concerned about how the Trump policy could have a negative impact.
Gourley works for a truck company. She said that the costs like Trump go through and his endangered rates on Mexico are her team.
