Protestors all over the country gathered yesterday for the “No Kings” protest against President Donald Trump’s administration. In Grand Rapids, there were two separate demonstrations, with one being at Riverside Park and the other at Rosa Parks Circle.
The “No Kings” protest, also known as the No Dictators or No Tyrants protest, is a series of demonstrations against what organizers describe as “a single-day protest against President Trump’s authoritarianism,” stated in a press release.
At Riverside Park, people of all ages and races, gathered together to express their dismay with the Trump administration. With many feeling that this is a pivotal time to make their voices heard, protestors attended so the opportunity wouldn’t pass them by.
Katherine Kennedy, 58, of Ada, didn’t hold back with just how important it is for people to speak up about the current state of our country.
“Our democracy is on the verge of collapse with what’s happening between the three branches of government and I fear for my children,” Kennedy said.
Having the right to peacefully protest and express opinions and views is one of the hallmark rights in America. It’s something that those who demonstrated Saturday want all people to take advantage of, especially those in the current and future generations.
“Demonstration matters just to show force,” Kennedy said. “Protest makes a difference, just like what we saw with Jimmy Kimmel. A decision was made with him, and then there was a protest, and now he’s back on television because the company changed its mind due to public pressure and protest. The First Amendment is one of the most important things our country is built on and I want to instill that in my children.”
Even though there was a range of ages at today’s protest, people from older generations emphasized the importance of keeping the fight going, with younger people being at the helm of the movement.
“It’s important for young people because this is going to become their country,” said Russell Yonkers, 64, of Sparta. “They’re growing up into it, and they need to take ownership of it, and they also see how important it is because the older people from my generation are here saying what’s going on is wrong.”
The continued marches to effect positive change in the country are something that many protestors are used to being involved in. For some, not much has changed since the Civil Rights Movement, Watergate, and other historical events that have shaped where we are now.
“I have grandkids and I’m talking to them all the time about when Watergate happened, I tell them about the Vietnam War, and the Civil Rights Movement,” Yonkers said. “I remember when Martin Luther King Jr. got shot, and Bobby Kennedy got shot. It was a violent, violent time, and those people were trying to make the country better, and now we’re going backwards.”
After the first demonstration at Riverside Park, protestors flocked to Rosa Parks Circle located in downtown Grand Rapids. With thousands of people in attendance, and the intensity of the voices being heightened, it reflected just how important speaking up means, especially during the current times in our country.
Riley Hamady, 24, of Grand Rapids, was at the protest to see change. “America is a beautiful place that should be a place for everyone to have a chance at a wonderful life,” Hamady said. “Older people have been fighting this for so many years, and for the younger people, this is our future. We want to live in a place where we can all be happy, make a living, and just be our best selves.”
Protestors didn’t just show to effect change, some showed to be a voice for the voiceless. To stand up for people who may not have the ability to stand up for themselves. Peter Berdo, 21, of Allendale, took that sentiment personally.
“I want to fight for people who can’t fight for themselves,” Berdo said. “I’m using my privilege to bring up other people who don’t have privilege.”
Collegiate reporters Gabriel Solis, and Grace Holmes contributed to this report.
