By Logan Monteleone
News Editor
No Kings, a coordinated national protest effort organized online and led by local Indivisible organizations and Democratic groups, asks community members to show up in their downtowns and along main roadways to make a display of frustration with the current presidential administration and to share messages of resistance and pro-democracy.
The No Kings protests across the country on March 28 marked the third day of organized movement, the first two rallies occurring last October and June.
Amanda Fry, a member of the Kent County Democratic Central committee, said showing up for county community members is what motivates her to participate in Chestertown protests.
“Kent County gathers all the time, for parades, festivals . . . and so to come together for No Kings rallies in support of not only our own interests, but also the interests of others and people who can’t be here, or maybe are afraid to be here, or aren’t privileged to be here, we represent that greater good ins upport of everyone in our community.”
The protest of over 300 participants began at 1 p.m. with opening remarks in Fountain Park from organizers and community leaders and lasted about two hours.
Photo story by Logan Monteleone
Photo Caption: Chestertown’s mayor Meghan Efland, right, and husband Marc Quigley at the No Kings protest that began at 1 p.m. in Fountain Park on March 28.
Photo Caption: Joe Weinstein, representing a creativity-centered non-violence movement, offers flowers to a group of Washington College students during the No Kings protest in Chestertown on March 28.
Photo Caption: Ruby, representing Chestertown’s youngest generation of protestors, attended the No Kings protest in Chestertown with her dad, Dr. Pat Nugent, WC’s Thomas V. Mike Miller Director of Civic Engagement on March 28.
Photo Caption: Washington College students, from left, junior Ellen MacDonald, freshman Jocelyn Ball, and seniors Klara Pecher and Teddy Nies. Pecher was part of an effort to provide WC students with materials like posterboard and markers to make signs for the No Kings protest on March 28. “We want to empower students and let them know that they have the opportunity to share their voice and that they have the power to do that,” Pecher said. “It’s important to go in a group rather than by yourself.”
Photo Caption: WC students, from left, seniors Faith Poulton and Melchior Tuerk and sophomores Sophie Cost and Julianna Nelson-Gaudette with handmade signs for the No Kings protest in Chestertown on March 28.