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Protesters Say They Are Worried About Freedoms, Human Rights, Healthcare and a Forever War
By Tina Traster
They sang “We Shall Overcome,” reminding generations younger than themselves that Americans do prevail at the darkest moments in our history. They raised up posters for the third time in less than a year at the “No Kings” protest at the crossroads of Middletown Road and Route 59, energized by a continuous cacophony of supportive honking cars and trucks traversing Rockland’s main artery. Joining more than 3,000 protests nationwide, an estimated 2,000 people came out on a cold spring day to push back on an authoritarian administration that has taken healthcare away from the most vulnerable, flouts the rule of law, undermines democracy, enriches himself, and has started an endless war in Iran.
A mixture of sadness and satire, the two-hour “No Kings” display of frustration and fear drew folks dressed up in everything from a fat Trump costume to colonials and of course Captain America. Folks sung folk songs, commiserated and laughed together. Democratic politicians seeking Congressman Mike Lawler’s District 17th street sought petition signatures. The crowd skewed older and greyer but children, GenZers and Millennials were out protesting too.
One person at the peaceful demonstration said “this has become a quarterly event.” Some were out on the street for the first time, while others were racking up frequent protest miles. All in all, protesters collectively expressed a desire to live in a country that they recognize.
