GREENFIELD — A group of 30 demonstrators gathered on the Greenfield Common on Saturday to show their support for Vice President Kamala Harris and her running mate in the presidential race, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz.

Chants from demonstrators, some of whom were holding Harris-Walz campaign signs or donning Harris-Walz shirts and accessories, included the campaign slogan, “We’re not going back.” Reproductive rights, gun control and pro-democracy signs were also on display.

Ashleigh Young and Amanda Brown worked for two months to organize the rally, dubbed “Show Up and Stand Out.” Young said it was “heartwarming” to see the turnout, especially from younger generations, as well as the support exhibited by some passing motorists.

“Seeing younger generations being supportive is huge, because democracy, I feel like, is dying in this country, and a lot of people don’t know what they really should know and how much these things affect them,” Young said.

From Brown’s perspective, having the rally was an opportunity to let their voices be heard, but also to offer voting support and information for those who may be on the fence about the candidates in the November election. A table was set up on the common to assist with voter registration.

When asked what this election means for western Massachusetts voters, Young said that although Massachusetts tends to be a progressive state, there are still beliefs that she feels linger from former President Donald Trump’s administration that will impact the election.

“I think continuing to spread the word about leading with love and not hate, caring about your neighbor, not just yourself and how things affect society,” is important, Young continued.

One of the rally attendees was Tara Jacobs, who is running unopposed for reelection to a seat on the Governor’s Council representing District 8, which covers the entire 413 area code and parts of Worcester County. Jacobs said her reason for coming to the rally was to try to reach undecided voters, as well as to connect with some Republicans who “want to see our freedoms protected” and who “want to see an administration that absolutely is as opposite from the Project 2025 mission as you can be,” referencing the brainchild of the conservative think tank Heritage Foundation in 2022 that has been described as a far-right political playbook in the event that Trump is reelected.

Jacobs explained that part of her job as a member of the Governor’s Council includes special election certification, which she said is a topic of concern for voters heading into this election, especially following the U.S. Capitol attack of Jan. 6, 2021. She said taking this concern that a similar event could occur after this year’s election, and channeling that into actions like attending rallies and voting, is a step that people can take to make a difference.

“On the one hand, there’s heightened anxiety about what’s coming,” Jacobs said. “On the other hand … I’m very much embedded in local politics and on local issues where things are much less partisan and much more about what’s for the benefit of our community. People come together and put aside the partisan tribalism to really support each other in crisis and to make decisions that are in the best interest of all.”

Erin-Leigh Hoffman can be reached at ehoffman@recorder.com or 413-930-4231.