‘No Kings II’ protests draw thousands into the streets

During a time when Republicans and President Donald Trump have blamed “leftists” for a wave of political violence in the country, more than 2,600 protests took place across the nation on Saturday bringing together people decrying the Trump administration and its policies. The “No Kings II” protests, however, blurred the line between protests and block parties — and the local rallies that drew thousands of people were no exception.

In Northampton, Mayor Gina-Louise Sciarra took to the mic and said that Trump “feeds on division,” and called on the country to unite against the current administration.

Mary Wang-Boucher, an organizer of the Northampton event with Northampton Resists, said that, “The left is known for eating their own,” and called on the crowd to unite and form a “big tent” of coalitions against a conservative, Republican-run government.

And people were united.

Pulaski Park in downtown Northampton was so saturated with rallygoers that moving around was like getting up during halftime or an intermission to go to the concession stands. The park later overflowed and traffic was cut off on Main Street from Edwards Church to City Hall.

Music played from the speakers at the park while protestors danced, including some in inflatable costumes and women dressed in nun-like clothes reminiscent of the “Handmaid’s Tale.” Meanwhile, signs displayed the reasons people were in the streets, including Trump’s stance on immigration, reproductive and minority rights, cuts to federal funding, and a litany of other issues.

People swayed and sang together the classic spiritual, “Down by the Riverside,” and enjoyed other songs from local artists.

Organizers estimated that between 2,000 and 3,000 people attended the Northampton protest, while many more rallied throughout Hampshire, Franklin and Hampden counties. Nature also blessed the gatherings with a sunny autumn day and temperatures just under 60 degrees.

Nationally, event organizers called Saturday’s protests one of the largest single-day nationwide demonstrations in U.S. history. They said nearly 7 million Americans gathered — more than 2 million more than similar rallies in June — together in “nonviolent defiance of authoritarianism and affirming that this nation belongs to its people, not to kings.”

Jennifer Ablard, a Northampton resident, noted the crowd was way younger than it had been during the first “No Kings” rally in June.

She was out speaking against attacks on the press, universities, and access to information by the Trump administration.

Young parents were among the younger generations at the rallies held in the region Saturday.

Bridget Mulkerins was there with her 6- and 2-year-olds. “We’re in the middle of an authoritarian takeover,” she said.

Married couple Jill Pollack and David Ward of Worthington made the drive into Northampton. Pollack said she was teaching her children that, “Every voice matters, no matter how small.”

Across the Coolidge Bridge

After crossing the Coolidge Bridge going into Amherst, hundreds were lining Russell Street in Hadley near the Pride Gas station. In total eight celebrations took place in Hampshire County, including rallies in South Hadley, Belchertown, Worthington, Haydenville, and two in Amherst.

In Amherst, thousands were on the Town Common where there were bubbles, music, and a positive vibe, despite the limited parking. Some in attendance sang a revised version of “Hit the Road Jack,” replacing the words with “Hit the Road ICE.”

State Rep. Mindy Domb, D-Amherst, held back from describing all that sickens her about the current administration in order to focus on an overwhelming theme of the day: positivity.

She made it clear that peaceful standoffs are not an act of insurrection. They are American.

“We will not let them mischaracterize this protest, or any protest, for any reason … as an insurrection,” Domb said. “Because if they want an example of an insurrection, guess what, we had one on January 6, 2020,” referencing the storm on the nation’s capitol before Joe Biden was officially made president after a vote by the Senate.

U.S. Rep. Jim McGovern, in his speech in Northampton, quoted Trump saying in a TV interview Friday that anyone who attends such a rally “hates America.”

He called Trump’s statement “stupid and idiotic,” and called on those gathered to keep leaning into the spirit of Massachusetts, which has a history of revolutions against kingship.

State Sen. Jo Comerford also took to the stage, and with all the positivity she could muster said loudly “Hello Northampton you are beautiful!” She gave Amherst the same welcome when she spoke there.

Comerford reaffirmed that community, the state, and the people of the United States have the power to overcome the current state of politics.

Vietnam War veterans David Cordiero and Lou Cayer, who served 55 years ago, said they were there because a fascist government isn’t what they served the country for. Fascism was what they were fighting against.

“We didn’t sign up for a fascist president who did not even serve in the military,” Cordeiro said.

Cayer, whose dad also served in World War II, relayed the sentiments, also citing the federal aid that has been cut for veterans’ health care.

And for young music teacher Olivia Munson, who works with immigrant children in Pittsfield, it was important to come because “it is important for people to come together.”

Material from AP was used in writing this story.