Amid the backdrop of the assassination earlier today of a Minnesota lawmaker and her husband, and shooting of another, Americans spanned out across the country to protest a president and administration they believe is dividing the nation and promoting violence.
In Rhode Island, there were peaceful No King protests in Providence to Westerly and Middletown, in North Kingstown, Warren, Wakefield and Block Island.
Despite a steady light rain, hundreds filled all four corners of Middletown’s Two Mile Corner, carrying home-made signs and umbrellas, wearing slickers and carrying American flags, cheering as passing drivers blew their cars’ horns in support.
Some who drove by were waving American flags in support, sticking arms out of car windows with a thumbs up sign. There was the occasional naysayer, with thumbs down as they drove by.
In North Kingstown, just outside the village of Wickford, more than 100 protesters lined the side of the roadway, carrying similar signs and hearing the blaring of horns from supporters.
In both Middletown and North Kingstown, protestors represented all ethnicities and ages, and their signs pointed to a variety of grievances against the Trump administration, including the use of the military to facilitate deportation efforts.
At times they chanted: “Hey hey ho Donald Trump has to go … What kind of power? People power, freedom…What do we want? Justice. When do we want it? Now.”
The signs told the story. Here’s a sample:
- No King
- America standing up to tyrants
- No king since 1776
- We are the board of directors
- Too much bull… for one sign
- Without immigrants Trump would have no wives
- Bullying lies and hate will never make us great
- The only minority destroying our country is billionaires
And then there were the parades. In Washington, D.C. a military parade, signifying the Army’s 250th anniversary that just happened to coincide with President Trump’s birthday. And in Warwick’s Pawtuxet Village there was the Gaspee Days parade today, commemorating the June 9, 1772, burning of the HMS Gaspee, a British ship charged with controlling trade that ran aground off Pawtuxet Village. The ship was boarded and burned, considered a significant event leading to the American Revolution.
Photo Gallery
All photos by Frank Prosnitz for What’sUpNewp.
