ZANESVILLE – More than 250 turned out for the No Kings protest in downtown Zanesville on June 14, as did about a dozen counter-protestors.
The local protest was peaceful and just one of an expected 2,000 taking place nationwide.
Muskingum County residents stood on the front lawn of the county courthouse, in opposition to many of President Donald Trump’s actions. They referred to the Amy’s 250th anniversary parade as a militarized birthday parade and express concerns over Trump desire to dismantle the Department of Education, and mass layoffs of federal employees.
“Planning this event was important to me because it is a way to take action and raise awareness and can give people a purpose. We will keep planning events as part of the 50501 movement,” event organizer Amy Nern told the Times Recorder prior to the protest.
She and other protestors are part of a nationwide movement to oppose President Donald Trump’s perceived overreach and a rejection of the idea of a “king” in America.
“What they are doing will benefit themselves and the ultra-rich and break down democracy. They are using fear and greed to complete their agenda,” she said of the administration.
Amy Nern is fearful of where the country may be at the end of Trump’s presidency. “I think people who aren’t white men will have fewer rights, infrastructure will be crumbling, education standards will be dismantled, and people may struggle to afford healthcare.”
Who would she like to see in the White House following the 2028 presidential election?
“Honestly, I can’t see that far into the future. I am hanging my hat on the midterms and hopefully we can take back the house and senate.
Michele Miller is a Duncan Falls resident and a retired U.S. Air Force officer. “What drew me to this was that it was going to be a peaceful demonstration,” she said. However she is also concerned about the Department of Education and mass layoffs of federal employees, along with Diversity, Equity and Inclusion programs that create an inclusive environment and reforms impactng veterans’ benefits.
“That would be really concerning to me, if they decreased veterans’ benefits,” Miller added.
One of the counter-protestors was Robert Johnson of Zanesville, who glided down the block with a Trump flag.
Johnson bore no ill will toward the protest participants, he told the Times Recorder. “I just happen to see things differently,” he said.
There was a heightened police presence, with several Zanesville Police Department and Muskingum County Sheriff’s Office vehicles around the courthouse square. Everyone seemed to be well-behaved, noted Mike Nern, Democratic party chair and event spokesperson.
“This is our fifth or sixth peaceful protest and all have been well attended with no incidents,” Amy Nern said.
Shawn Digity is a reporter for the Zanesville Times Recorder. He can be emailed at sdigity@gannett.com or found on X at @ShawnDigityZTR.
This article originally appeared on Zanesville Times Recorder: ‘We will keep planning events as part of the 50501 movement:’ People rally against Trump
Reporting by Shawn Digity, Zanesville Times Recorder / Zanesville Times Recorder
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