On Saturday, Oct. 18, we attended the “No Kings” protest in New Haven, Connecticut, along with around 2,000 other people, according to police estimates.
It was encouraging to see a handful of faculty that we recognized at the protest. People from virtually every age group were in attendance, from newborns being held by their parents to older people sitting in lawn chairs.
The protest took place on the New Haven Green, surrounded by the New Haven Public Library, Connecticut Federal Courts, Yale University and other historical landmarks — all things President Donald Trump fears: books, the law, education and history.
Multiple political figures and activists took to the main stage, along with a few bands, to galvanize the crowd before marching through the streets, which were blocked off by police. Speakers included Justin Elicker, the mayor of New Haven, Reverend Scott Marks, the director of New Haven Rising, Erick Russelland, state treasurer and Kica Matos, president of the National Immigration Law Center. Alder for New Haven Ward 9, Caroline Tanbee Smith, was the event’s emcee.
Protestors were handed fliers promoting upcoming events, protest signs were sold under pop-up tents along the event’s edges and children ran around as bubbles were released into the sky by people in inflatable-animal costumes.
When we say it was the most comforting, inclusive and welcoming environment we’ve seen in a while, we’re not kidding.
When commenting on the protest, Speaker of the House Mike Johnson said the Democrats had a rabid base. He said, “This is serious business hurting real people…”
These protests were not “Hate America” rallies, as the president and other conservative officials claimed, nor were they “hurting” anyone.
These protests are actually pro-American. We didn’t see “hate for America all over…” as House Majority Whip Tom Emmer predicted.
In New Haven, we watched the crowd of protestors sing along to the National Anthem, wave American flags and hold signs depicting the Constitution. There were no anti-American signs or sentiments; most were just anti-Trump or anti-billionaire. The “No Kings” protest was proof that disagreeing with our current administration does not mean being anti-American.
These protests exist because people want to fix the country that they love so much, and don’t want to see it destroyed.
The “No Kings” protests were held in over 2,700 locations nationwide and drew in millions of protestors. Every city showed character, with unique things happening in each. In San Francisco, protestors were put into a formation that spelt out “No Kings Yes of 50.”
Organizers claim nearly seven million people turned out, around two million more than those attending the first protest, which took place on June 14.
“I hear very few people (are) going to be there, by the way…” President Trump said to reporters on Wednesday. You would think that with so many participants, President Trump would care that people are upset — that he would think something is wrong. But no, his response has been one of denial.
“They say they’re referring to me as a king. I’m not a king,” he said in a Fox News interview on Friday.
The first set of protests took place on the president’s 79th birthday and coincided with the U.S. Army’s 250th Anniversary Parade through Washington, an event protestors called President Trump’s “coronation” and birthday party.
This second round of protests is in response to the ongoing government shutdown, recent United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids fueled by racism, the violation of due process and other rights, mass shootings in schools and other public places, the degradation of environmental protections, attacks on healthcare, political leaders’ efforts to disenfranchise voters and more.
According to the No Kings website, this protest was necessary “because this country does not belong to kings, dictators or tyrants. It belongs to We the People – the people who care, who show up, and the ones who fight for dignity, a life we can afford, and real opportunity.”
The “No Kings” protest in New Haven truly showed the power of the people. In a time where there’s so little faith in democracy, events like this give protestors a sense of hope and allow them to find a community of like-minded individuals ready to support and encourage one another.
The event was intense in the best way possible. Emotions were high, but so was passion. We couldn’t help but be optimistic.
After advising the audience to tell their neighbors, “I love you,” Rev. Marks chanted into the crowd, “The power flows from the people! Not from inherited crowns, not from intrenched privilege.”
He encouraged the audience to organize with urgency and nonviolently resist the “calculated, coordinated effort to dismantle the guardrails of a multiracial democracy.” After his speech, he led the group into the streets with a band drumming behind him.
“We don’t want to look like a mob,” he reminded the crowd. “We want to look like an army that’s getting ready to fight for our democracy!”
The march drew spectators along the way, including members of Yale’s kitchen staff who stepped outside of the building to show their support. They banged spoons loudly against pots and cheered, energizing the crowd with the large smiles on their faces.
Protesters’ signs were generally light-hearted, like the sign that was simply an enlarged photo of South Park’s ongoing joke about Trump sleeping with Satan. Others kept it basic with the words “FDT.”
One of our posters said, “We’re all the couch now,” referencing the meme that claims Vice President JD Vance had sexual relations with a sofa. Another said “New Drag Name: ReLisa D’Files,” with photos of Trump edited as a drag queen. Both were a huge hit with the crowd..
We did have some seriousness. A third sign stated, “Fight ignorance, not immigrants.” Others’ signs depicted statistics with information, such as one that said “23 HAVE DIED IN ICE CUSTODY CALL 202-224-3121 DEMAND THAT CONGRESS DEMAND TRANSPARENCY.” Many called for the impeachment of Trump and the end of a dictatorship.
The costumes really stole the show. There were Pokémon, knights, a woman from “The Handmaid’s Tale”, a woman in revolutionary-war era attire, a unicorn, a dinosaur and a costume of the late Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg. People also brought their pets along, with some dogs adorning signs such as, “No kings, just treats.”
The protest was anything but violent. The energy spread throughout the Green to fight for the common good was moving and inspiring. It showed us that despite all of the horrific headlines and sleepless nights worrying about our future, there is a light at the end of the tunnel.
No Thrones. No Crowns. No Kings.
