On Oct. 18, “No Kings” protests took place all over the country. These protests were initiated by people to speak out against the policies and actions of President Donald Trump.
An estimated 2,700 gatherings took place nationwide according to the IndyStar, bringing in at least 5 million people, who used their freedom of speech to voice their thoughts about the current government.
“Everybody was together and uplifting, and we were all just marching for something that we wanted changed,” an anonymous source that attended a No Kings protest said. “I think that everybody had the same beliefs, and everybody was just very there for each other.”
In Indianapolis, approximately 6,000 people attended the protest held at the Indiana Statehouse according to the Indiana Capital Chronicle. During the protest, people chanted, held signs and did various actions to peacefully get their message across.
While some viewed “No Kings” as a peaceful and valid movement to let out frustrations towards the current political state of the country, opponents of the movement have claimed the opposite.
According to House Speaker Mike Johnson, the protests are “hate America rallies” and according to Trump, the protests are a “joke.”
Sophomore Braylon Garcia is someone who is frustrated with and doesn’t support Trump
“He (Donald Trump) is trying to override the Constitution on a daily,” sophomore Braylon Garcia said. “So I think it’s good we’re standing up against it.”
“No Kings” was a large movement in which those who feel the U.S. needs change voiced it, even while critics of these protests claimed they were going against the country.
It is yet to be seen whether any change will come, but the protest did serve as a way for communities to unite together in something they believe in.
“I would say that we’re all valid with our own opinions,” an anonymous source said. “I think if we’re making a change on something that will benefit America in our opinions, there’s not anything anti-American when we’re trying to do what’s best for America.”
