Protester Jim Eisenbrauen holding a sign that says, “Pray to End Authoritarianism.”
Text and Photos
By Brianna White
InkFreeNews
WARSAW – Around 250 people showed up for the “No Kings” protest in Warsaw on Saturday, March 28.
From 2:30-4:30 p.m., protesters lined both sides of Detroit Street, from Center Street to Fort Wayne Street. They chanted and held signs in opposition to President Donald Trump, authoritarianism, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, and the war with Iran.
Many drivers passing by showed their support by honking their horns or rolling down their windows to cheer on the protesters.
Allyson Ross organized the protest and assured the public that it was as safe as possible. She and other organizers were immediately recognizable because of large, crocheted buttons indicating who they were and were in constant contact via radio.
A protester who asked not to be named said, “I feel like a lot of the people around here feel like they know something is wrong, but … they don’t know if they have people on their team. This big thing, even if we don’t make change, at least … the people who drive by know there are people in their community who are also upset and are also scared and also here. Every time we do this it gets bigger, so it just feels so important to stand and hope someone else comes and stands next to us.”
Protesters chanted, “Hey! Hey! Ho! Ho! Donald Trump has got to go!”
Linda Mowry said, “I’m tired of it. I’m tired of the lies. I’m tired of the sexism. I’m tired of everything … I marched in the 80s for women’s rights when Reagan was president … I’m picking back up my marching shoes and doing it again. All because I can’t endorse anything (Trump) does or says. It’s time we take back America.”
Joe Conlon, a protester and Vietnam War veteran, said, “I think it’s the responsibility of all citizens to speak up when something’s wrong. There’s a whole bunch that is wrong with how this administration is running the country. We got into a war … I was a soldier and an English teacher after that. I don’t like our young people being at risk for no good reason.”
“Are you ready and willing to let your children die for this war with Iran?” asked Michelle Sweeney, one of the organizers.
“I’ve never done anything like this before, but it’s just so bad … This is not the country that I want it to be,” stated one protester.
A protester with a sign that says “Defend Democracy. Country Over Party.”
From left, protesters Rebecca Gamble and Angie Scott, holding signs that say “I Need To Be Able To Tell My Grandchildren I Did Not Stay Silent” and “I Like My ICE Crushed.”
Protesters at the “No Kings Protest” on March 28 lined the streets.
Protesters gathered near the Warsaw Community Public Library