THREE RIVERS, MI — More than 350 gathered Saturday in Three Rivers as part of a national movement protesting the policies and actions of President Donald Trump’s istration.
According to organizers, No Kings is a “national day of action and mass mobilization in response to increasing authoritarian excesses and corruption from Trump and his allies.”
“We’ve watched as they’ve cracked down on free speech, detained people for their political views, threatened to deport American citizens, and defied the courts,” Hope and Action, a grassroots political activism group, said in a statement. “They’ve done this all while continuing to serve and enrich their billionaire allies.”
Trump called for a large-scale, military parade in Washington, D.C., to take place June 14 as part of the U.S. Army’s 250th anniversary and Flag Day. June 14 is also the president’s birthday, prompting some to allege the parade would also serve as a birthday celebration.
Earlier in the week, Trump said any protesters appearing at the parade would be “met with very big force.”
Organizers said a core principle behind all No Kings events is a commitment to nonviolent action.
On Saturday, those gathered for the local event met near the corner of West Michigan Avenue and U.S. 131 in Three Rivers. ersby largely honked in what appeared to be for the protestors, with drivers and engers waving, giving a thumbs up, or pumping their fists.
Several vehicles ing by flashed obscene gestures and jeers during the hour-long rally. One erby in a car yelled, "we ought to deport all of you." Demonstrators responded with, "we love you."
Ben Karle, who co-organized Saturday's Three Rivers event through River Country Solidarity, said the No Kings rally was the third such event this spring, with attendance increasing each time.
"We have been overwhelmed with the so far," Karle said. "We have had people from all walks of life and backgrounds, young people included. It means a lot to us for them to come and to be part of the movement."
Karle said that, personally as a father, it is important to him to "keep the next generations in mind when working to create a more just world."
"We need to keep advocating for the marginalized population who may not feel heard," he said.