by Dennis Dalman
An estimated 7,000 people attended the second national “No Kings” rally/protest midday in St. Cloud Saturday, Nov. 18 – a peaceful, upbeat rally with no incidents of mayhem or violence.
Huge crowds of people of all ages lined up at and near the Great River Regional Library in St. Cloud. The long lines of participants, many of them carrying “No Kings” placards, demonstrated outside the library on both sides of Hwy. 23 (First Street S.). The long lines stretched for many blocks along the highway. Many motorists honked and waved or gave gestures of thumbs-up approval to the demonstrators.
The purpose of the “No Kings” rallies was to unite people to express adamant disapproval of President Donald Trump and his administration and how they are at times using autocratic, undemocratic policies and tactics in running the nation. The “No Kings” slogan reflects the demonstrators’ opinions that Trump has been behaving like a king, ignoring the U.S. Constitution and the Rule of Law.
Nationwide on Oct. 18 there were an estimated 2,500 “No Kings” demonstrations in the United States with a total of 7 million attendees – the largest single-day protests in American history.
At the St. Cloud rally, some of the placards held by protesters amid flurries of waving American flags, showed messages such as the following:
“Stop Trump Now”
“We Love Our Country”
“No Kings, No Emmer” (referring to Minnesota U.S. Rep. and House Majority Whip Tom Emmer of the state’s Sixth District.)
“The Only Orange Monarch We Want is the Butterfly”
“Immigrants Make America Great”
“Stop the Bullies”
“No Kings in America”
There were also “No Kings” demonstrations on June 14 in large and smaller cities throughout the nation, with an estimated total of 5 million participants. In St. Cloud on that day, an estimated 3,000 people gathered, also near the library.
Americans for Democracy
Since March 1, there have been close to 40 anti-Trump demonstrations in St. Cloud at various places along Division Street, including several near the Barnes & Noble book store.
Those rallies were organized under the organizational group dubbed “Americans for Democracy.” The group was started last April by Jill Kelly of Sauk Rapids. Since then, she and many volunteers and organizers have expanded the rallies and included informational meetings at the library with guest speakers and information on how to organize.
The following is the mission statement for “Americans for Democracy,” as stated on its website:
“Americans for Democracy is a community group bringing together neighbors to support one another as the Trump administration takes reckless actions that are hurting the people around us. Democrat, Republican, Independent, Trump voter or not, you’re welcome to join us if you are against the actions of the Trump administration.”
“ADA is a grassroots community of concerned Americans in the St. Cloud area, dedicated to upholding the fundamental values of our democracy and the Constitution. Our mission is encapsulated in three words: Resist, Inform, Support. Resist through peaceful protests, contacting government officials, attending local meetings and town halls and more. Inform by staying informed because then we are able to accurately inform others. Support by providing mutual support to one another through weekly meetings.”
To learn more about AFD, visit its website at americansfordemocracy.org. A schedule of upcoming rallies and informational meetings can also be found on that website.
At the “No Kings” Rally Oct. 18 in St. Cloud, some of the estimated 7,000 participants gather and socialize along Hwy. 23 near the St. Cloud Great River Regional Library. Nationwide, there were 7 million who showed up at other “No Kings” protests at 2,500 cities large and small nationwide.
