Delaware

Hundreds take to streets and boardwalks in Delaware for ‘Hands Off!’ protests

Published

8 months ago

April 5, 2025

Hundreds take to streets and boardwalks in Delaware for ‘Hands Off!’ protests

Crowds gathered Saturday in Wilmington, Rehoboth Beach and other Delaware towns to protest actions by the Trump administration as part of a nationwide “Hands Off!” protest movement.

Over 1,000 planned “Hands Off!” rallies were planned across the country on Saturday, including on the National Mall in Washington, D.C. to protest the Trump Administration’s financial cuts to multiple federal programs

In Delaware, protests against Trump and other figures like Elon Musk are not new. Rehoboth Beach and Newark have seen almost weekly protests since January.

On Saturday, Nearly 1,000 people gathered in downtown Rehoboth Beach and hundreds in Wilmington to protest the administration.

“They’re taking everything they can get their hands on—our health care, our data, our jobs, our services—and daring the world to stop them. This is a crisis, and the time to act is now,” the “Hands Off!” Rehoboth Beach event website says.

Protests also took place in Newark, Dover, Salisbury and Ocean City, Maryland.

Teenager organizes Wilmington protest in 24 hours

Gemma Calabria, a 17-year-old from Wilmington, felt compelled to hit the pavement on Saturday. When she saw that there was no protest scheduled in the city, she did it herself.

A day later, more than 200 people of all ages peacefully gathered at Rodney Square in downtown Wilmington. She cannot vote, but she still felt like she could make a difference.

“Not everyone is able to go to Dover or Newark or Philly, so giving people a chance to come to their local rally, I think is really important,” she said Saturday.

Among the 200 people was Coby Owens, a new Wilmington city council member who stood in the middle of the crowd with a megaphone. He led chants that echoed throughout downtown and could be heard for blocks. He said he was impressed with the quick turnout and appreciated the diversity of the crowd.

“This is just the community coming together, working together to say, ‘We’re not backing down, we’re not going anywhere, and that people here, matter,” Owens said.

Residents of the city at the protest were there for a variety of reasons, but the newly enforced tariffs and their affect on the domestic and global economy was a common theme.

Also in the crowd with a sign reading “veterans deserve better” held by Jack Herbert, a veteran from the city who was protesting potential cuts to Veteran Affairs.

He said the system may be flawed, but without people on the low level answering questions and guiding people through complicated processes and paperwork, veterans could be at a disadvantage.

“What he’s doing is cutting the legs out from the VA, even by pulling even a minimal amount of people is going to affect some veterans somewhere,” he said.

Jack Cunningham, former New Castle County Police Chief, and his wife Mary Ann brought their 3-year-old granddaughter Sadie, who was in a wheelchair. They said cuts to Medicaid could affect her access to wheelchairs in the future. Their sign read “Hands off my wheelchair!”

Thousands hit the boardwalk in Rehoboth Beach protest

Protesters have been lining Coastal Highway in front of Walmart in Rehoboth every Saturday morning for weeks now. They were there again this week before moving to the bandstand at Rehoboth Avenue and the boardwalk for a rally, organized by Indivisible Southern Delaware.

Attendees were led in songs like “God Bless America” and “Do You Hear the People Sing?” before Indivisible Southern Delaware’s Cheryl Siskin introduced a slate of speakers, including representatives from St. Peter’s Episcopal Church in Rehoboth and the American Civil Liberties Union of Delaware. Rep. Claire Snyder-Hall (D-Rehoboth Beach) also spoke.

After the rally, protesters marched south on the boardwalk before dispersing.

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Delaware

Housing advocates urge Wilmington officials to do more to address homelessness

Published

1 day ago

November 25, 2025

Press Room

Housing advocates urge Wilmington officials to do more to address homelessness

Mayor John Carney vowed to address homelessness in his first year in office. He is proposing allowing unhoused people to camp in one of the city’s parks. But all other encampments would be banned.

“As we attempt to provide support for the unhoused here in Wilmington, we have a responsibility on how, on behalf of the residents of neighborhoods, to ensure that Wilmington operates in an orderly and lawful way,” he said in October.

Raquel Cruz said she doesn’t think the mayor’s plan goes far enough.

“The mayor needs to do much, much more than just shuffle the unhoused around rather than try to pursue better outcomes for them,” she said.

Raquel Cruz and Noel Camacho joined the rally at Wilmington City Hall to advocate for more services for the homeless. (Sarah Mueller/WHYY)

Housing advocates argue a ban on sleeping outside criminalizes homelessness. They said Wilmington needs more shelter beds and affordable housing.

Carney said city officials would provide restroom facilities and clean water for Christina Park residents and will explore adding a shower facility there. On-site security is also part of the plan.

The city is also working with the Wilmington Housing Authority and the Ministry of Caring to open a dining hall for the homeless at the WHA site a block away from Christina Park.

People marching on the sidewalk and holding up signs — Marchers walk to the Wilmington city hall as part of a progressive movement meant to rally support for homeless services. (Sarah Mueller/WHYY)

The mayor has also argued that Philadelphia’s efforts to clean up Kensington, an area known for an open-air drug market and homeless encampments, is adding to Wilmington’s homeless population looking for shelter and services.

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Delaware

Here’s which stores are open for Thanksgiving, Black Friday shopping in Delaware

Published

2 days ago

November 24, 2025

Press Room

Here’s which stores are open for Thanksgiving, Black Friday shopping in Delaware

Whether you need to grab some last-minute Thanksgiving ingredients or are planning to indulge in the doorbuster deals on Black Friday, you’ll need to know the store hours of your local grocery stores, malls and retailers.

This year, Thanksgiving falls on Nov. 27, and the annual Black Friday shopping rush falls on Nov. 28.

Order from Instacart:

Here’s which Delaware stores and malls are open during Thanksgiving and Black Friday.

What are Christiana Mall’s Thanksgiving, Black Friday hours?

Christiana Mall near Christiana will be closed for Thanksgiving, but will have special expanded hours on Black Friday from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m.

What are Concord Mall’s Thanksgiving, Black Friday hours?

Concord Mall in Brandywine Hundred is also closing its doors Thanksgiving, but will be open from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Black Friday.

What major retailers are open on Thanksgiving, Black Friday?

Before racing off to find Black Friday deals, check when these major retailers are open.

Target: Target stores will be closed on Thanksgiving and open at 6 a.m. on Black Friday.
Walmart: All Walmart stores will be closed on Thanksgiving and open the following day at 6 a.m. for Black Friday deals.
Boscov’s: Boscov’s will be closed on Thanksgiving and open on Black Friday.
Macy’s: Macy’s will be closed on Thanksgiving and open on Black Friday.
Best Buy: Best Buy stores will be closed on Thanksgiving and open on Black Friday.
Kohl’s: Kohl’s will be closed on Thanksgiving and reopen at 5 a.m. on Black Friday.
TJ Maxx: TJ Maxx stores will be closed on Thanksgiving and open at 7 a.m. on Black Friday.
JCPenney: JCPenney locations will be closed on Thanksgiving and reopen Black Friday at 5 a.m.
Nordstrom: Nordstrom stores will be closed on Thanksgiving and open on Black Friday.

What grocery stores are open on Thanksgiving?

If you’re looking to get supplies for your Thanksgiving dish or you forgot a key ingredient before the big meal, here are Delaware grocery stores’ hours on Thanksgiving.

Wegmans: Wegmans will close early on Thanksgiving at 4 p.m.
ShopRite: ShopRite will close early at 4 p.m.
Acme: Acme markets are open until 4 p.m.
Giant Food: Giant stores are open until 5 p.m.
Aldi: Aldi locations will be closed on Thanksgiving.
Food Lion: Food Lion stores will be open until 3 p.m.
Costco: Costco is closed on Thanksgiving.

Sophia Voight is a growth and development reporter. Reach her with feedback and story tips at svoight@delawareonline.com.

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Delaware

AARP Delaware honors Bethany volunteer for community service

Published

3 days ago

November 23, 2025

Press Room

AARP Delaware honors Bethany volunteer for community service

AARP Delaware recently announced Ted Spickler of Bethany Beach was honored with its 2025 Andrus Award for Community Service, the association’s most prestigious and visible state volunteer award.

A retired professor, Spickler was recognized for his extraordinary dedication to community service. As an AARP Delaware advocate, Spickler regularly traveled to attend volunteer meetings, committee hearings and legislator meetings, demonstrating his deep commitment to improving the lives of older Delawareans and strengthening the community. As the legislative committee chair of Delaware’s South Coastal AARP Chapter, he keeps the committee and chapter informed about a variety of issues that affect older Delawareans and their families.

Beyond his work with AARP, Spickler is active with Citizens Climate Lobby, advocating for policies to create a healthier environment for future generations.

“Ted embodies the spirit of volunteerism, sharing his skills, knowledge and enthusiasm to support his AARP chapter, our state office and his community,” said Wendell Alfred, AARP Delaware volunteer state president. “His curiosity, dedication and kindness have been a great example for other volunteers.”

Recipients across the nation were chosen for their ability to enhance the lives of AARP members and prospective members, improve the community in or for which the work was performed, and inspire others to volunteer.

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