By Abigail Didonna, Will Firra
Zoe Naylor and Peter Pynadath
Columbia Missourian
Thousands turned out in Columbia, Jefferson City and dozens of towns across Missouri on Saturday to join a nationwide mobilization against the expansion of executive power by the president.
(Photo- Protesters fill the stairs leading up to the Missouri State Capitol during the “No Kings” protest Saturday in Jefferson City. The protest and march drew over 1,000 attendees, according to event organizers-Michael Baniewicz/Missourian).
The “No Kings” demonstrations took place in all 50 states, with at least 30 rallies in Missouri, from Columbia to St. Louis, Kansas City to Cape Girardeau, Springfield to St. Joseph, and around the steps of the Missouri Capitol in Jefferson City.
The widespread national movement came after more than a week of demonstrations against federal immigration raids, largely in Los Angeles where President Donald Trump activated the National Guard and U.S. Marines over the authority of California Gov. Gavin Newsom.
Saturday’s protests were timed to match a military parade in Washington, D.C., marking the 250th birthday of the U.S. Army and coinciding with Trump’s 79th birthday.
In St. Louis, news outlets reported that thousands participated in at least a dozen rallies in the city and the county, while thousands more marched in Kansas City, 2,000 lined the streets in Springfield and several hundred turned out in Joplin.
In addition to the rallies in U.S. cities, including in New York, Chicago, Philadelphia, Atlanta, Houston and Los Angeles, there were gatherings in Europe, Africa, Asia and South America.
Gov. Mike Kehoe announced Thursday that he was activating the Missouri National Guard ahead of the planned rallies but indicated they would be mobilized only if “assistance is needed to support local law enforcement.”
But organizers nationwide vowed to keep the protests peaceful, and very little disturbance or police presence was observed in Columbia and central Missouri.
The atmosphere at the Boone County Courthouse in Columbia was upbeat Saturday as at least 1,000 people gathered to express their frustrations with the Trump administration.
Friends and neighbors mingled while speeches and live music filled the courthouse amphitheater, making the protest feel more like a block party than a demonstration.
Cars passing on Walnut Street answered protesters’ signs with honks of support. In the shade of the plaza parking garage, a hot dog stand sold food and drinks, while more protesters watched and waved American flags from the top floor of the garage.
Flags, signs and apparel at the protest were representative of the diverse range of people who showed up and the variety of grievances they have with Trump.
Chants in support of women and transgender rights were popular, and a number of signs focused on accusations of sexual misconduct against the president. Many brought American flags, some displayed upside down in an act traditionally used to signal distress.
During the rally, Ken Pearson said he was offended by Trump using his wealth and status to avoid military service.
“But beyond that, I think he’s a real threat to our democratic institutions,” said Pearson, who is a U.S. Army veteran.
Amy Lovelady came with her daughter to the protest to set an example.
“At this moment in our history if we’re silent, then we’re complacent,” Lovelady said.
Her daughter, Laila, added: “I just want everyone to be equal, and I want to have equality for everyone. It’s liberty and justice for all.”
Many people also expressed concerns about the Trump administration’s fiscal policies. Protesters called for the protection of funding for health care, schools, universities, conservation work and the U.S. Postal Service.
Demonstrators began gathering at the courthouse plaza around 11 a.m. for two hours of speeches and music.
For many who were closer to the road than the amphitheater, it was hard to hear, so instead, they chanted and socialized. Law enforcement presence at the event was light. Some officers helped keep people out of the street while others were seen near an ambulance on Ninth Street.
The steps of the Missouri State Capitol in Jefferson City were packed with more than 1,000 protesters of all ages opposing deportation, restrictions to reproductive rights and federal funding cuts and layoffs.
The protest was organized by We Stand United Missouri, an organization that promotes political activism at the local level.
Speakers included Suzanne Luther, state House District 60 candidate; David Knipp, union and labor advocate; and Jordan Herrera, congressional candidate for Missouri’s 5th District.
Knipp, who goes by “Proud Union Guy,” said he was concerned about right-to-work laws and maintaining prevailing wage regulations.
“We’re the backbone of America,” Knipp told the crowd. “We don’t just build America — we are America.”
After hearing from speakers, protesters marched around the block, passing the Missouri Governor’s Mansion before returning to the Capitol building.
Their reasons for coming included a love of country, a desire to uphold checks and balances, and ensuring funds for state and federal programs.
Arianna Hensley-Parker, a 27-year-old mother who came with her kids, 6 and 3, said she was advocating for their futures, including continued access to health care.
She said her 3-year-old son received medical care and therapy from a program run by the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education for infants and toddlers with disabilities or developmental delays.
Hensley-Parker said the state-run program “was a huge reason why he can talk today.”
A couple from Lynn, Rob Overly and Kate Wilson-Overly, came to protest funding cuts to Medicaid and the Federal Emergency Management Agency.
Rob Overly’s mother was on Medicaid, he said, which helped pay for her colon cancer surgery. The procedure wouldn’t have elongated her life, but it did help her in her final days, he said.
“If it was not for Medicaid, that would not have happened,” said Overly, a member of the Osage County Democrats and a retired architect, “so I know how valuable that is.”
Everyone dies, Overly said, “but the question is how.”
Another couple traveled 2½ hours from Unionville to attend the rally. Steve, 64, and Jeanna Grimes, 63, said they were worried about funding cuts to Veterans Affairs programs, Social Security and international aid.
“We have 22 grandkids and three great-grandkids,” Steve Grimes said. “What is the country going to be like for them?”
His wife added that she thinks not just beyond her generation, but beyond U.S. borders, too.
“We really want good for the world. Why would they cut all the aid to other countries?” she said. “That’s soft power. That’s a beautiful thing.”
The “No Kings” demonstrations took place in all 50 states, with at least 30 rallies in Missouri, from Columbia to St. Louis, Kansas City to Cape Girardeau, Springfield to St. Joseph, and around the steps of the Missouri Capitol in Jefferson City.
The widespread national movement came after more than a week of demonstrations against federal immigration raids, largely in Los Angeles where President Donald Trump activated the National Guard and U.S. Marines over the authority of California Gov. Gavin Newsom.
Saturday’s protests were timed to match a military parade in Washington, D.C., marking the 250th birthday of the U.S. Army and coinciding with Trump’s 79th birthday.
In St. Louis, news outlets reported that thousands participated in at least a dozen rallies in the city and the county, while thousands more marched in Kansas City, 2,000 lined the streets in Springfield and several hundred turned out in Joplin.
In addition to the rallies in U.S. cities, including in New York, Chicago, Philadelphia, Atlanta, Houston and Los Angeles, there were gatherings in Europe, Africa, Asia and South America.
Gov. Mike Kehoe announced Thursday that he was activating the Missouri National Guard ahead of the planned rallies but indicated they would be mobilized only if “assistance is needed to support local law enforcement.”
But organizers nationwide vowed to keep the protests peaceful, and very little disturbance or police presence was observed in Columbia and central Missouri.
Around the Courthouse Plaza in Columbia
Friends and neighbors mingled while speeches and live music filled the courthouse amphitheater, making the protest feel more like a block party than a demonstration.
Cars passing on Walnut Street answered protesters’ signs with honks of support. In the shade of the plaza parking garage, a hot dog stand sold food and drinks, while more protesters watched and waved American flags from the top floor of the garage.
Flags, signs and apparel at the protest were representative of the diverse range of people who showed up and the variety of grievances they have with Trump.
Chants in support of women and transgender rights were popular, and a number of signs focused on accusations of sexual misconduct against the president. Many brought American flags, some displayed upside down in an act traditionally used to signal distress.
During the rally, Ken Pearson said he was offended by Trump using his wealth and status to avoid military service.
“But beyond that, I think he’s a real threat to our democratic institutions,” said Pearson, who is a U.S. Army veteran.
Amy Lovelady came with her daughter to the protest to set an example.
“At this moment in our history if we’re silent, then we’re complacent,” Lovelady said.
Her daughter, Laila, added: “I just want everyone to be equal, and I want to have equality for everyone. It’s liberty and justice for all.”
Many people also expressed concerns about the Trump administration’s fiscal policies. Protesters called for the protection of funding for health care, schools, universities, conservation work and the U.S. Postal Service.
Demonstrators began gathering at the courthouse plaza around 11 a.m. for two hours of speeches and music.
For many who were closer to the road than the amphitheater, it was hard to hear, so instead, they chanted and socialized. Law enforcement presence at the event was light. Some officers helped keep people out of the street while others were seen near an ambulance on Ninth Street.
On the steps of the Missouri Capitol
The protest was organized by We Stand United Missouri, an organization that promotes political activism at the local level.
Speakers included Suzanne Luther, state House District 60 candidate; David Knipp, union and labor advocate; and Jordan Herrera, congressional candidate for Missouri’s 5th District.
Knipp, who goes by “Proud Union Guy,” said he was concerned about right-to-work laws and maintaining prevailing wage regulations.
“We’re the backbone of America,” Knipp told the crowd. “We don’t just build America — we are America.”
After hearing from speakers, protesters marched around the block, passing the Missouri Governor’s Mansion before returning to the Capitol building.
Their reasons for coming included a love of country, a desire to uphold checks and balances, and ensuring funds for state and federal programs.
Arianna Hensley-Parker, a 27-year-old mother who came with her kids, 6 and 3, said she was advocating for their futures, including continued access to health care.
She said her 3-year-old son received medical care and therapy from a program run by the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education for infants and toddlers with disabilities or developmental delays.
Hensley-Parker said the state-run program “was a huge reason why he can talk today.”
A couple from Lynn, Rob Overly and Kate Wilson-Overly, came to protest funding cuts to Medicaid and the Federal Emergency Management Agency.
Rob Overly’s mother was on Medicaid, he said, which helped pay for her colon cancer surgery. The procedure wouldn’t have elongated her life, but it did help her in her final days, he said.
“If it was not for Medicaid, that would not have happened,” said Overly, a member of the Osage County Democrats and a retired architect, “so I know how valuable that is.”
Everyone dies, Overly said, “but the question is how.”
Another couple traveled 2½ hours from Unionville to attend the rally. Steve, 64, and Jeanna Grimes, 63, said they were worried about funding cuts to Veterans Affairs programs, Social Security and international aid.
“We have 22 grandkids and three great-grandkids,” Steve Grimes said. “What is the country going to be like for them?”
His wife added that she thinks not just beyond her generation, but beyond U.S. borders, too.
“We really want good for the world. Why would they cut all the aid to other countries?” she said. “That’s soft power. That’s a beautiful thing.”
12 comments:
It looks like more people turned out in Missouri for No Kings than turned out for dear leader's lame biurthday bash and parade in Washington DC.
Sad TACO Don!
When one of your tormented members murder a state rep and husband, and try to kill two others, can it be time to change your message? Your far left is as evil as you claim the far right is. I’m not disagreeing the far right is perfect, but they aren’t out murdering people.
More right wing lies, rinse and repeat.
The killer is another white evangelical 'minister' extremist killer.
Suspect in Minnesota Shooting Linked to Security Company, Evangelical Ministry
The alleged shooter is a 57-year-old white male; according to his ministry's website, he “sought out militant Islamists in order to share the gospel and tell them that violence wasn't the answer.”
https://www.wired.com/story/shooting-minnesota-melissa-hortman-vance-boelter/
Notice the headline magats: "Peaceful demonstrations across the Country". Los Angeles would be fine if not for the egregious stunt the orange taco pulled by using ICE the same way hitler used the ss and if that wasn't enough, calling in the military and escalating the situation. What the hell did you expect when our own military, by order of the orange peel, points a loaded high caliber automatic killing weapon at innocent civilians. This is an abomination of power and resistance is only going to escalate.
Paint ball guns...lol
Huge turnouts nationwide for No Kings.
Unlike the turnout for Trump's birthday parade which was almost as small as his hands.
I saw at least one report somewhere on the internet that the actual attendance at the military parade was 8647 not counting all the troops.
In any case the crowd for his big DC hoohah was really small.
Anyone who wants to protest this in the USA needs to go live in Russia, China, North Korea or Iran first. Then come back and complain and protest all they want.
1115, why would I want to go to those countries to only return and protest here? Seems a bit nonsensical don't you agree? Besides, why would I protest the orange peel there when I can, and should, do it here. Please explain.
That's the same thing Republican were saying about the Tea Party protests.
One thing for sure they are consistent- "It's always ok if Republicans are doing it!"
The killer in Minnesota was a Right wing guy. Geez you maga are so gullible.
11:53, if you don't understand what I mean then there is no explaining for you.
Nope 917, no need for you to try and explain. Your 917 comment says it all.
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