Morris Rally Supports Postal Service

MORRISTOWN, NJ—A Friday afternoon demonstration in Convent Station over the Trump administration’s changes to the U.S. Postal Service drew more than 100 people and a letter of support from a member of congress.

“The post office is an essential service that is guaranteed by the constitution,” said Mara Novak, co-executive director of 11th For Change, which organized the event. “It’s an outrage.”

The protesters gathered around the Convent Station post office holding homemade signs, many denouncing what they see as an attack on the postal service. As a man passed out free American flags, most of the talk was about taking back the White House in November.

President Trump and Postmaster General Louis DeJoy have been under fire recently for the president's opposition to nearly $30 billion in funding for the postal service. DeJoy has outlined unpopular changes, including cutting overtime and post office hours, causing delivery delays.

The looming November election, which will rely heavily on mail-in voting, has added a new sense of urgency to the situation nationally. Novak said the large turnout was a reflection of Americans feeling that urgency.

“We need to win, or there might not be a post office four years from now,” she said.

Morris Township Mayor Catherine Wilson, speaking in front of the post office, talked about how important its operation is, especially to vulnerable populations.

“This is a vital public service,” Wilson said, “this is not OK for anybody in our government to be deliberately interfering in.”

Novak read a letter of support from U.S. Rep. Mikie Sherrill (D-11), who blamed the Trump administration.

“The president and his postmaster general are intentionally damaging the U.S. Postal Service,” Sherrill’s statement said. The congresswoman also noted that 91 percent of Americans approve of the postal service, “making it the most popular federal agency in the country.”

As several demonstrators took turns speaking, Bradley Davis, of Morristown, said that the post office was an institution that needs to be fixed, not dismantled. He added that he, like many in the crowd, had a personal reason for attending the protest.

“I’m retired,” Davis said, “am I supposed to pay FedEx three times what it costs now to get my medication shipped to me? Because I can’t.”