Macomb’s David Duff, left, talks politics with David Katz on Monday. The two were at an anti-Trump rally on Public Square, Watertown, before the president landed at Fort Drum, 12 miles away. (Photo — Perry White, Watertown Daily Times)

WATERTOWN — Twelve miles and a political world away from Wheeler-Sack air base, about 200 North Country residents and assorted political operatives staged a protest against President Donald Trump and Rep. Elise Stefanik before the president landed to sign the National Defense Authorization Act at Fort Drum.

The rally was union-sponsored, with Service Employees International Union 1199 the primary organizer, but participation from the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, New York State United Teachers, the state Council of Churches and Planned Parenthood of New York.

A variety of speakers criticized the president and Stefanik over health-care reductions, proposed Social Security and Medicare cuts, a lack of public-school support and an administration apparently not dedicated to world peace or multi-nationalism.

The speakers were frequently interrupted by car horns, mostly in support but some opposed to the rally.

Lori Griffin, a Copenhagen Central School teacher and strong NYSUT supporter, had applied for a permit for the gathering, but when she found SEIU had already acted, she said, she decided to “piggyback on them.

“This is turning out great,” she said, waving her bright orange sign mocking U.S. Education Secretary Betsy DeVos — “Trumps rich, clueless minion is DeVostating public education!”

Among the speakers was the Rev. Peter Cook, executive director of the New York State Council of Churches, who came from Albany to address the rally, decrying Pres. Trumps isolationism and aggressive defense policies, which he said leads to a threat to world peace.

Michelle O’Donnell, a nurse from Gouverneur, spoke about the threats to affordable health care that have been enacted by the president, “with Elise Stefanik’s help.” After she spoke, she said she was impressed with the crowd.

“I’ve been to a couple others before this and this crowd is larger,” she said.

Acting as the glue that bound the speakers together, SEIU upstate New York political director Mark Spadafore acted as an announcer, cheerleader and game-show personality, firing up the crowd with chants and introducing all the speakers.

SEIU communications director Allison Krause said the union was pleased with the turnout, although she lamented that there were too few “young people” at the rally.

It was a fair observation; the average age of people there trended more toward 65 than 35. But as David Duff of Macomb noted, “For a weekday morning, getting 200 out to participate is a pretty big deal.”

Duff cited a litany of his objections to this administration, and Congress in general. And he said the direction the country is going frightens him.

“It’s not only me. A lot of lifelong Republicans are very disturbed with the direction [Trump] is leading this country,” Duff said.

His top concerns are growing income inequity, and an apparent lack of serious concern about public education.

“Twenty-five years ago people were making a good living. Now they aren’t,” he said. “The rich are doing just fine.”

He also objects to cuts in education spending.

“A guy said to me recently, ‘If you think education is expensive, try the cost of ignorance,'” Duff said.

James Sheridan, of Cape Vincent, said there are multiple issues that concern him about Trump and Rep. Stefanik, R-Willsboro.

“I’m really concerned about continuing Social Security, health care, world peace and cooperation,” he said.

He cited the president’s aggressive attitude toward other nations as a threat to international cooperation.

“If were going to solve the world’s problems, we need the help and cooperation of all the world’s people,” he said. “Separated we will fall.”

The 78-year-old Sheridan said he is concerned about the quality of politics in the United States in general.

“I’ve lived a long time, and I’ve never seen us in this state,” he said. “Democracy is not a spectator sport. It demands strong participation, which we don’t seem to be getting.” Many of those at the rally were expected to jump in their cars at 2 p.m., when the rally ended, to drive to Utica to protest again, this time much closer to the president, who was to highlight a campaign event for imperiled Rep. Claudia Tenney, R-New Hartford. That rally point was near to the building in which the fundraiser was held.