‘Say No to Facism’: Protesters Gather at Miller Park to Denounce President Trump

LYNCHBURG, Va. – Lynchburg was one of roughly 2,600 sites across the country to hold a “No Kings 2.0” protest on Saturday, where hundreds of demonstrators flocked to Miller Park to protest the Trump administration’s policies. Protesters say they are concerned by the threat of rising authoritarianism and the evergrowing abuse of power by the president.

“I feel very strongly about what’s happening with the ICE raids and the wannabe dictator in office who’s abusing power,” said Ileanna G., a first-generation American whose parents immigrated to America from Brazil. “We need the country to be brought back to the people.” 

Ileanna, who had never attended a protest before Saturday, said that she was inspired to attend after hearing that the protest was advertised as a “collective movement.” 

“This felt like such a significant moment in time that I couldn’t sit at home,” Ileanna shared. “It’s showing up for this right that we have as Americans, but also to say no to facism and the deporting of immigrants.”

Many protesters held signs, some played musical instruments, and some even wore inflatable costumes, which has become a trend after a protester was seen wearing an inflatable frog costume to protest Immigration and Customs Enforcement presence in Portland earlier this month. Protesters were also encouraged to wear yellow as a symbol of unity.

Pat O’Hara, who works for Indivisible Lynchburg, one of the organizers behind Saturday’s event, says that he was inspired by the turnout of the demonstration, which he estimates that around 1,200 to 1,500 people attended.

“No Kings 2.0 was not just a protest, but a demonstration of the collective goodness of people,” O’Hara shared. “I found the enthusiasm of the people with their signage, and silly costumes, to be truly inspiring.”

James Jones, a member of the Bedford Democratic Committee, says that President Trump’s abuse of power to attack his political opponents has led to the deterioration of democratic principles.

“The Trump regime is trying to totally subvert our democracy,” said Jones, who joined the committee alongside his wife, Karen, back in 2006. “The constitution doesn’t seem to mean a whole lot to him.”

Donna St. Clair, also a member of the Bedford Democratic Committee, showed up to Saturday’s event dressed as the Statue of Liberty, noting that the fundamental liberties that the famous monument stands for have been ignored by the current administration. She says that Trump’s political agenda has led to the decline of individual rights that will make it harder for the next generation to live in a free democratic society.

“The young people in this country deserve to live in a country that is as least as good as the one I got,” St. Clair said. “You deserve to get what I had; what we’ve all kind of ignored like freedom of speech and freedom to read whatever book you want.”

Across the country, millions of protesters gathered in major metropolitan areas, such as Washington D.C., New York and Dallas, as well as in small rural areas like Staunton, Virginia and Howell, Michigan. Estimates claim that some 7 million people demonstrated on Saturday across all 50 states, including protests across multiple European countries.

Ahead of the protests, Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin placed members of the National guard on “state active duty” to curb any potential violence that could have stemmed from the protests. 

While no members of the National Guard were seen at Saturday’s protest, demonstrations were peaceful, with very few counterprotesters in attendance.

Michael L., who was one of the counterprotesters at the event, held a sign in remembrance of Charlie Kirk, the conservative activist who was killed at a Turning Point USA event in Utah last month. He noted that Democrats seem to be more accepting of political violence.

“The main thing I’m concerned about is the acceptance of political violence,” Michael noted. “They [Democrats] see someone get politically assassinated and they say ‘good’.”

As demonstrators lined up along the sidewalk of the park to cheer, passing cars honked in support of the movement, which has encouraged demonstrators to not only stand up for democracy, but to organize and foster hope in their communities.

“This is all about peace and love and coming together as a community,” said Ileanna G. “This is a demonstration of our support for our community and our constitution.”

For more information on Saturday’s “No Kings 2.0” protest, visit nokings.org