While it may be the Republican Party’s moment in the global spotlight, more than 50,000 people from the left turned out for the “People’s March” days before the 60th Presidential Inauguration in Washington, D.C., hoping to show the world that the incoming presidential administration doesn’t represent the views of every American and won’t get a free pass over the next few years. 

Despite the hell Asheville and greater Western North Carolina have gone through since flooding caused by Hurricane Helene last fall, as well as the recent terror attacks on large crowds during New Year festivities around the country, passionate protestors showed out for the People’s March in Pack Square on Saturday, Jan. 18. 

The 2017 inauguration of President Donald Trump was normal in nearly every way — the crowds of enthusiastic supporters, the chants of angry protestors, the iconic swearing-in ceremony at Capitol. But as it turns out, that inauguration will now fondly be remembered as the last “normal” inauguration in recent history.

HERE of Jackson County, the county’s primary homeless services provider, is requesting half a million dollars from the county to purchase and renovate a facility that would become Jackson’s first and only permanent homeless shelter.