BLOOMINGTON – A first-grader’s simple protest message summed up the sentiment of hundreds of people who surrounded the Monroe County Courthouse during the March 28 No Kings rally against the U.S. president and his policies.
On slick white cardboard, “trump Stinks!” is scrawled in brown above a face with tiny eyes and a downturned mouth. Wavy green lines rise up from the image.
The 6-year-old sign maker attended the Saturday afternoon No Kings protest, one of about 2,000 the same day across the country, with her parents and younger brother. She laid the sign on the courthouse lawn to free her hands for a peanut butter-and-cheese cracker snack.
Dad John Baeten said this was the kids’ first protest. “It’s a good way to show them how to participate in democracy, to see there is a better route for our country and that other people think so too.”
Experienced protesters Amy Izod and Stephanie Burks hurried along Walnut Street toward the courthouse as the 1 p.m. event began. “Congress: Let’s Save America. You Go First,” said the sign strapped to Izod’s back.
Izod said she’s been disillusioned by Americans’ support for Trump. “I can’t keep waiting for the people to wake up. I can’t understand it.”
She’s been to several anti-Donald Trump protests. Burks, wearing a No Kings t-shirt, has done her share of marching as well. They agree the protests must continue while acknowledging they don’t seem to be affecting Trump’s actions.
“It’s not going to make a difference,” Burks said. “Nobody’s listening. But being here makes me feel like all we can do is use our voices, keep trying to get through.”
She’s hopeful the midterm elections might start to turn the tide away from Trump and his allies. She urges people to vote.
“But this,” she said, turning to the throngs of people gathered, “I don’t think this will change anything.”
That doesn’t mean the women will stop showing up at the protests. “We have to do something. It boosts our resolve,” Izod said.
The March 28 No Kings 3.0 event, organized by the nationwide initiative 50501, was expected to be among the largest nonviolent protests in American history. The “No Kings: Fight Tyranny, Build Community” rally in Bloomington was from 1 until 3 p.m.
“No Kings is all about reclaiming our democracy, reversing the damage done to our American institutions, and recognizing the power we have when we join together as a community,” Bloomington 50501 volunteer Susan Brackney said in a news release previewing the rally.
Bloomington’s peaceful protest featured local singer-songwriter Carrie Newcomer performing under blue skies on a 50-degree afternoon. “We’re here in solidarity for justice and democracy,” Newcomer said. “To bring in a better world. It’s a time lean in toward the light.”
The only pro-Trump presence readily apparent was a white Chevrolet pickup, with four full-size conservative-leaning and pro-Trump and flags flying from the cab, that circled the courthouse during the protest.
Contact H-T reporter Laura Lane at llane@heraldt.com or 812-318-5967.
This article originally appeared on The Herald-Times: Hundreds gather at courthouse during peaceful No Kings Trump protest
Reporting by Laura Lane, The Herald-Times / The Herald-Times
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
