Millions of Americans in 2,700 locations protest against Trump: ‘I could never have imagined that the US would move in this authoritarian direction’

Major protests against the Trump administration took place across the United States on Saturday. Demonstrations had been announced in more than 2,700 places: from Washington DC to small communities in Republican states such as Utah and Idaho. It was the second time that the so-called ‘No Kings’ protest took place, after the first edition in June. According to the protest organizers, approximately 7 million people took part in the demonstrations.

The protest focuses mainly on what demonstrators see as authoritarian traits of the Trump administration, such as the harsh actions of immigration police ICE and the deployment of the National Guard in cities. In many major cities the protest attracted huge crowds; In New York, for example, more than 100,000 people were on the march, according to estimates.

Elderly

In the Californian coastal village of Bodega Bay (approximately 1,100 inhabitants), almost 300 people from the region gathered at an intersection at 12 o’clock with signs and American flags. “Patriots stand up to tyrant Trump,” or “We are all immigrants” were some of the messages that could be read. Many of the cars driving past on coastal Highway 1 honked their horns as a sign of support.

Many attendees expressed their deep concerns about the state of the United States and Trump’s presidency. Jim Sullivan (89) stands under a tree on the side of the road. “I fought in Korea and always thought it was for democracy,” he says. “I could never have imagined that the US would go in this authoritarian direction.” He calls the government “a bunch of Nazis.” “Mass public resistance is the only approach.”

In this rural region, the protest, which lasted exactly an hour, attracted mainly the elderly. For many, the demonstration had a therapeutic effect: just seeing that many others showed up provides support. “It’s great to be here and see that I’m not the only one,” says Greg (74). He wears a cloth over his face and does not want to give his last name; he says he is afraid of revenge attacks. “This is so much better than sitting on the couch at home and being angry.”

Before the day of protest, House Speaker Mike Johnson had called it a “hate America rally.” He also tried to portray the demonstrators as far-left and Marxist. The government also made unproven allegations that protesters are paid.

Some, like California Gov. Gavin Newsom, also saw an act of intimidation by the government in a ceremony for the Navy’s 250th anniversary Saturday, in which rockets were fired across a Southern California highway. An angry Newsom, who felt misinformed by the administration on the issue, decided to close the highway during the ceremony Saturday morning, which was attended by Vice President JD Vance.

Bodega Bay

The atmosphere in Bodega Bay on Saturday is cheerful and cheerful. People from the village meet each other, there is cheering when the organization reports after a count that there are 280 people. Steve Teel (78) compares the meeting to “the post office where you meet people from the village.”

Yet there is also fear beneath the surface: several people do not want to give their surname for fear of consequences. “You hear Trump playing with the idea of ​​revenge,” says David Carey (78), after his wife does not want to give her name. She jokes that there are a lot of David Careys, so that’s not a problem.

The people protesting in Bodega Bay on Saturday have often had many protests in their lives. Although the Trump administration does not seem to care much about any opposition so far, they remain hopeful about the effect that demonstrating can have. “The protest against the Vietnam War also took a long time to have an effect,” says Carey. “Hopefully people will also realize that this government is not good and the movement will grow. That can turn the tide.”

Zoom in

Zoom in

Zoom in

Give a gift





Part





Email the editor