Protest
Protest, Ithaca, NY
Saturday, June 14th, just before one, I rode my bike down the hill to Washington Park. I had an American flag, and two signs – ‘Due Process’ and ‘Impeach Trump’ – in my saddlebag. Traffic was unusually heavy. And for mid-June in central New York? Cold. The sky was milky from the fires in Canada which blocked out some of the sun’s rays. I wore jeans, two t-shirts and a plaid shirt.
I made it to Washington Park in ten minutes and once there, I locked my bike to a No Parking sign.
This morning, I read on Next Door: “If you're coming to NO KINGS at Washington Park, please use the bathroom beforehand! The park port-a-potty went AWOL overnight. We'll have one of the compost setups, but that may not be the most comfortable for some!”
Unlike the 45 million dollar (or so) birthday party in D.C., our protest/celebration was a no-frills, ‘use the bathroom beforehand’ event. Did it cost the taxpayers any money? I don’t think so. I do think all these AI brainiacs at DOGE could learn from us. Not only DOGE, but Homeland Security. I recently read this from Independent:
“Immigration and Customs Enforcement could run out of money as soon as next month amid the Trump administration’s ramped-up efforts to deport unauthorized immigrants.” They are already estimated to be one billion in debt. Is that why Trump has been so insistent that his Big Beautiful Bill pass by July 4th?
Our protest filled much of Washington Park, a space of 250 by 450 feet which has a few benches and sidewalks. Deciduous trees outline the park’s perimeter. A few drums were beating as I walked in. Along the park’s northern edge, organizers had erected white tents and a sound system. I could see only the tops of the tents. People walked back and forth, their signs in the air. Others stayed where they were, signs in the air, listening to the speeches. The speeches went on for about two hours.
No policeman/women here, although there was security by Indivisible, and they were unarmed, wearing shorts and orange vests, occasionally talking into a walkie-talkie.
I stood next to a knee-high spruce tree. When a speaker shouted, “What do we want?” I chanted along with the others, “No Kings!” then, “Freedom!” Soon a good friend came by and we watched the crowd together, and listened to the speeches, but from where we were, half of the words were garbled. After everyone had said what they wanted to a woman sang, beautifully, “We shall overcome.” She got part of the crowd to sing along with her.
I asked several sign bearers if I could take photos of their signs. No one said no, in fact, some said, “Please.”
Our protest was peaceful, like the majority of the No Kings. Nationwide, less than 100 people were arrested. Not bad given five million marched, or about 1.2 to 1.8 percent of the population. For a change in government, 3.5 percent needs to happen.
The notable violence was the murder of two well-known and respected Minnesotan representatives. This was not from the No Kings protestors, despite what some misinformation machines wanted people to believe. This was a comment from Heather Cox Richardson’s substack:
“The day started with tragedy with political violence in MN and instead of being scared, neighbors SHOWED UP to stand together at No Kings Twin Cities. We packed the Capitol Mall all the way to the Cathedral. Estimate 80,000+ right now. So proud of our state.”
Here are some photos of the signs at our No Kings Protest.
About a week after the No Kings Protest, I read that Governor Abbott (Texas) may sign Senate Bill 2972 which restricts protestors from using tents, microphones, speakers, bullhorns, and “percussive instruments”. No demonstrations from 10 pm to 8am, but it would be easy to imagine protest hours could be further restricted. Isn’t free speech what America is all about?
A Texan Republican Senator called it the “Campus Protection Act.”
The bill also bans protestors from wearing a disguise. Who not only wears a disguise, but carries guns, and arrives in unmarked vans at Home Depot and Walmart and puts immigrants – and now, American citizens – in what some would describe as hell?
We need that 3.5 %.
Notes
Update: Local air quality now "unhealthy" due to Canadian wildfires - The Ithaca Voice
Can wildfires cool the climate?
Comments - June 14, 2025 - by Heather Cox Richardson and substack 6-16-25
(6) Good News For Progressive Views The Week Of 6/6-6/12
Texas law would restrict campus speech after pro-Palestinian protests - The Washington Post
The protests in Buffalo seem to be getting bigger each time, but I worry about burnout. I've been to the two major ones, but I understand others have been happening inbetween almost weekly. I didn't see porta potties at this one which made me wonder if they were running out of $$. I did see the police step up there game. After the MAGA counterprotesters started getting nastier (they drive around Niagara Square fast, intimidating the crowd and blaring their horns so you can't hear the speakers--I think one got out of his car and pushed someone, though he did get arrested), they closed down vehicle access to the square, which really made the event much nice with room to spread out and a lot of people chose to march around the circle as well.
Thanks for posting. If we do not protest -- nonviolently -- now, it will be too late. Indeed, many believe it already is. Let us use those of our freedoms that still remain intact!