Richmond residents gather for 'No Kings' protest
Protest one of thousands across the nation
By Kelly McKinney
Richmondindepth@gmail.com
Cries of “USA, has no King,” and Hey, hey, ho, ho; Donald Trump has got to do,” and other chants rang out Saturday from a “No Kings” protest in Richmond.
The protest, held in front of the Madison County Courthouse, drew an estimated crowd of about 100. Across Kentucky, thousands of people demonstrated. Estimates for attendance in protests across the nation Saturday was at about 11 million as of Sunday morning, according to social media posts by the 50501 Movement.
In Richmond, protesters filled the sidewalk in front of the courthouse. During the two-hour event, numerous passing motorists honked or yelled in support. A few shouted of “Trump” or “MAGA” in opposition.
Richmond resident Lincoln Christensen said the biggest issue that drew him to protest is due process.
“The elimination of due process for all the deportations he’s doing, it’s threatening for everybody,” he said.
He also commented on recent rule changes disallowing transgender people from military service.
“For him to kick trans people out of the service after they’ve won awards, it’s stupid,” he said.
A common theme among signs and concerns voiced by protestors was a concern that Trump and his administration have violated the U.S. Constitution. Many protestors waved American flags.
Helen Bennett, who said she is a retired professor who taught at Eastern Kentucky University, said actions by the Trump administration are contrary to the values for which the U.S. has always stood.
“I said we should give the Statute of Liberty back because it no longer represents the ethos of the U.S.,” she said.
She added that she is afraid the reputation of the United States across the world will never recover.
Ordelle Hill, who said he also is a retired EKU professor, said he has been unhappy with actions of the Trump administration for months.
“The whole thing in Los Angeles really solidified my feelings about what’s happening in D.C.,” he said.
In the LA area, more than 100,000 immigrants were recently arrested during ICE raids. Protestors took to the streets, and President Trump called in the National Guard.
The nationwide protests took place on the same day as a military parade in Washington D.C. and Trump’s birthday.
