‘No Kings’ protest draws hundreds to city of Washington
Over 2,000 protests scheduled nationwide
Hundreds of people gathered outside the Washington County Courthouse Saturday morning to protest President Donald Trump and his administration’s policies as part of a nationwide “No Kings” rally.
It was one of several rallies scheduled across southwestern Pennsylvania and one of more than 2,000 held across the country as a “national day of peaceful protest.”
By 11 a.m., the crowd of energetic, peaceful protesters expanded to line the front of the courthouse.
Wendy McGrath of Belle Vernon said she drove to Washington to be with a large group of people showing her support.
“I’m here because I want to be able to tell my grandchildren that I did not stand idly by while Trump tried to destroy everything I love about this country,” said McGrath. “I don’t know what’s going to happen, but I have a little bit of power and I’m going to use it.”
Rally-goers waved handmade signs and American flags, and waved to vehicles that honked their horns in support of the protest as they drove by.
Signs ranged from pro-democracy and immigrants-rights messages to a variety of anti-Trump sentiments: “Rejecting tyranny since 1776,” “Nobody elected billionaires,” “$45 million parade? No thank you,” and “No Kings in America – Save Democracy.”
The 50501 Movement that organized the protests said it chose the “No Kings” name to support democracy and speak out against what it calls the authoritarian actions of the Trump administration.
Saturday’s demonstrations come on the heels of protests that were sparked last week over federal immigration enforcement raids, and after Trump ordered the National Guard and U.S. Marines to Los Angeles.
“We gather today because democracy is under attack. Our president thinks he is a king. He thinks he is above the law, he thinks the constitution doesn’t apply to him,” said Christina Proctor, chair of the Washington County Democratic Committee, as the crowd booed. “Last week, Trump ordered the U.S. military into our streets, not to protect us but to silence us. He blatantly violated the law and our constitution by using the U.S. military to police American citizens. He did it without Congress, he did it without state consent and he did it without justification. That is not a democracy, that is tyranny.”
The crowd, estimated by organizers to include at least 400 people, was energized and animated.
Washington County Mayor JoJo Burgess was among the people who addressed the boisterous crowd.
“We have a $45 million parade being planned while we have seniors who are cutting pills in half, while kids are going hungry at night because their parents can’t put food on the table,” said Burgess. “We need to make sure that when we pick our leaders, they are people that represent us and not themselves and millionaires in the country.”
The protests in the city of Washington and across the country served as a counter to Trump’s military parade, which was held on Saturday to commemorate the U.S. Army’s 250th anniversary, which coincides with Flag Day and the president’s 79th birthday.
The parade faced criticism in recent days, particularly from veteran and military-related organizations, which did not support Trump’s embrace of military imagery and symbols.
Protests were scheduled in more than 2,000 locations across the country, from city blocks and small towns to courthouse steps and community parks, organizers said. No events were scheduled in Washington, D.C., where the military parade was slated to take place.
Judy Freeman of Washington said the protest was an opportunity to stand for what she believes is the right side of history.
“I’m here because I love my country, and Trump and his minions are taking it down,” said Freeman. “We’re here to say we’re not going down without a fight. We love our country. Our parents fought for these freedoms, and we’re not giving them away.”
A handful of counterprotesters stood across the street from the courthouse, but remained quiet.
U.S. Army veteran Mike Halpin of Canton Township, who wore a MAGA hat, said he respected the rights of the protesters to peacefully protest, but believed Trump “is doing great.”
“I think they’re all a bunch of communists, they don’t love our country,” said Halpin, who said he believed some in the crowd were paid protesters. “(Trump’s) a leader, he’s leading this country.”
Chants broke out periodically throughout the 1 ½-hour rally, with the crowd saying, “This is what democracy looks like,” and “Hey, ho, Trump has gotta go.”
Donna Patrina, president of the Washington-Greene Central Labor Council, said the rally “was above what we could have ever hoped for. ”
“We had coal miners, steel workers, teachers, it was just such an outpouring of labor. I’m still pumped,” she said.