Protesters in New York Metropolis. Credit score: Instagram@thenyic
Thousands and thousands of Individuals took to the streets on Saturday, October 18, as a part of the No Kings peaceable protests, a nationwide organized demonstration in opposition to President Donald Trump’s administration.
The occasion was reportedly held in all 50 US states and was one of many largest days of protests in latest US historical past.
Demonstrators known as for cover of democratic establishments, denounced the Nationwide Guard delegation, and opposed well being care cuts and immigration raids.
In Los Angeles, Mayor Karen Bass confirmed that each one 10 demonstrations had been peaceable. “We all know he isn’t a king,” she instructed CNN. “However we do not need to see democracy retreat into authoritarianism.”
The gang danced to a salsa band, held rainbow, American and Mexican flags, and a few demonstrators wore inflatable frog and unicorn costumes.
Comparable scenes unfolded in New York Metropolis, the place police reported greater than 100,000 demonstrators crammed Instances Sq., chanting, “That is what democracy appears like.” No arrests associated to the protests had been reported in New York.
In Washington, D.C., Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders instructed the gang, “We’re not right here as a result of we hate America, we’re right here as a result of we love America,” and urged individuals to guard democratic freedoms.
Frustration mounts over federal shutdown
The demonstrations coincided with a federal authorities shutdown that furloughed 1000’s of employees. One protester, a longtime federal worker, mentioned he was “in tears” after the latest layoffs.
“The elimination of those jobs threatens individuals’s skill to maintain a roof over their heads,” he instructed CNN, including that the federal government was displaying a “lack of compassion” for civil servants.
Organizers rejected claims by opponents that the protests had been “anti-American” or “anti-fascism” associated. Lisa Gilbert, co-chair of the group Public Citizen, mentioned the motion’s message was clear.
“The president needs us to be afraid, however we is not going to be pressured into concern and silence.”
There was remoted stress exterior an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) facility in Portland, with gasoline canisters thrown at violent protesters. Aside from this incident, the incidents reportedly remained nonviolent.
For overseas nationals and locals dwelling in the USA, the No Kings protests sign rising issues about democratic stability and immigration coverage, each of which may have an effect on residency and visa procedures.
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