No Kings Day rally in Fountain Park, Saturday, June 14. Photo by Kurt Kolaja
As protest rallies swept across the nation on Saturday, Chestertown turned out in strong numbers at Fountain Park to support No Kings Day’s global declaration of resistance to Donald Trump’s policies and actions.
More than 800 people gathered to hear speeches by Melvin Rapelyea, chairman of the Kent County Democratic Central Committee; Chestertown Mayor David Foster; Kent County High School senior and president of the Kent County Young Democrats, Eamon Lindsay; Katie Stevens; veteran Misty Colache; and Bill Flook, president of the Democratic Club of Kent County. Many participants lined Cross and High Streets, holding banners and signs for passing drivers, who responded with enthusiastic honks of support.
On this historic day, one that held different meaning for every participant and witness, The Spy invites you to share your reflections on No Kings Day, and your hopes for the future.
Cross Street, Saturday, June 14.
Clark Bjorke says
I am standing near the middle of your photo, taken on Cross Street, holding a sign saying “This flag belongs to all of us.” The huge turnout nationwide for No Kings Day is proof that Americans are fed up with divisive rhetoric, incompetent leadership, corrupt practices and authoritarian actions taken by the Trump administration. We the people will not back down.
Joan Berwick says
Amen. Couldn’t have said it any better.
Theresa Nuz says
I think it’s stupid. The Democrats are just pushing more minorities over to the Republican side. My father came here legally and I support President Trump and legal immigration. Everything he says is true. Then, to do it on the Army’s 250th Parade is so disrespectful. Also, I notice in the pictures all white liberals. 🤡
Clark Bjorke says
Theresa Nuz, you can tell someone’s political leaning from a photo? I consider myself a moderate and, in the past at least, have voted for Republicans as well as Democrats. I’m a big fan of Wayne Gilchrest.
I can tell you that there were black, Asian and Latino participants at the rally in Fountain Park. There were veterans of every war from Vietnam to Afghanistan there as well.
Stuart Baldwin says
Theresa, I think you will have difficulty convincing people that “everything he says is true.” Not even his faithful followers believe that is true.
Wendy Wander says
This is a classic example of what the rest of us are up against. The facts are out there, but the MAGA supporters are in the FOX “News” bubble. I watch FOX regularly just to understand their thinking and if that was all I watched (along with other rightwing media) I would think that we were “lunatic liberals” who “hate America” too. Theresa sites Trump supporting legal immigration, but not if you are from a “shit-hole country” of brown people. She says it’s disrespectful to have the rally on the Army’s 250th Parade, but it became Trump’s parade. His decision to hold a military parade on His birthday politicized the military and mimicked displays typically seen in authoritarian regimes, such as Russia, North Korea and China. When Eisenhower was asked if the U.S. should have a military parade to show of its might, he responded, “Absolutely not. We are the pre-eminent power on Earth. For us to try and imitate what the Soviets are doing in Red Square would make us look weak.”
Susan Kim says
I could not agree more! Well put!
Irene Aspell says
It was heartening to see so many people in Fountain Park. We could have used more diverse representatives but there was an edge to the day which probably prevented some folks from coming. We need to see and hear one another and know that protest is our sacred right in the USA. Kudos to all who came and, should we gather again,more people should attend!
William Minus says
I would go further than “NO KINGS DAY”. Let’s have a “NO TRUMP DAY”
Gren Whitman says
The vital event last Saturday IMO was not the staggering numbers of Americans — now estimated at seven to eleven million across the country, with 800 in Chestertown — who protested Trump’s myriad unconstitutional predations.
Nor was it our corrupt president’s expensive vanity parade in D.C. and his pathetic attempts to politicize the U.S. armed forces.
No, the political assassinations and shootings in Minnesota and DHS Secretary Kristi Noem’s thuggish assault on U.S. Sen. Alex Padilla in Los Angeles were nothing less than brown-shirt, Nazi-like violence.
To quote W.B. Yeats, “what rough beast” do we face?
Patricia W Deitz says
I am heartened that so many people turned out on Saturday to stand for the Constitution, the rule of law, and an end to the cruel cuts to essential health, social and environmental services. MAGA blames immigrants so we don’t blame billionaires. We are not deceived.
Karen Mack says
Legal immigration is in everyone’s best interest. However, you are ignoring the violations of the Constitution committed daily by the current President and members of his administration. Eventually you too will be victimized, regardless of your father’s legal status. Loss of healthcare, high prices, not feeling safe just because of how you look. It is all happening right now.
Loretta Hardy Sutton says
Where do we begin ? Peaceful rallies are a start. I am fed up with the hate that is being circulated by our politicians. The political anger is palpable in todays society. Proof is the political assassinations and shootings in Minnesota. Please don’t forget DHS Secretary Kristi Noem’s assault on U.S. Sen. Alex Padilla. What happened to the polite but heavy conversations amongst our friends, politicians and loved ones concerning our political views. It appears the number of people that are willing to listen , digest and ask pertinent questions about someone else’s views are no longer encouraged or accepted. We replaced individuals questions and thoughts with name calling, threats, locking them up and deporting them with out proper screening. I am truly frightened for my grandchildren. I am not sure they will have the same rights and freedom that we have had. The greed and corruption that is taking place currently amongst our politicians and corporate American is alarming. This is a conversation for another day. Please America lets have peace, liberty and justice for all ! God bless America !!!!!
Mary Lou Troy says
It was heartening to see so many people turning out waving flags, singing the national anthem and reciting the Preamble to the Constitution, the basis of our system of laws. Also heartening was that when we fanned out to the corners to wave our signs to passing motorists the largest response was favorable – waves, thumbs and fists up in solidarity. Some of the cars had No Kings signs as well. For the most part, those were people who were passing through who weren’t counted in any total for the day and there were several hundred of them at least.
Rob Lance says
As a Columbia resident who was on the waiting list for Heron Point, I fell in love with Chestertown and looked forward to living there, but worried there would possibly be many MAGA supporters in the area. It is so heartening to see these pictures of so many patriotic Americans in the area who refuse to live in an authoritarian dictatorship, which is definitely not what American is or should be. Way to go, Chestertown!