The city of Rochester united in solidarity with cities nationwide hosting “No Kings” protests, an event described as a day of defiance to reject “authoritarianism, billionaire-first politics and militarization of our democracy.” Organized by the 50501 Movement against the Trump administration, these protests took place uniformly on Saturday, June 14, the celebration of Flag Day. The protests were in defiance of President Donald Trump’s planned Military Parade celebrating his 79th — and the American Army’s 250th — birthday taking place on the same day.
More than 1,500 cities nationwide participated. Locally in the Finger Lakes region, thousands of protesters gathered in 12 cities — Irondequoit, Brighton, Pittsford, Fairport, Henrietta, Marion, Lima, Canandaigua, Geneseo, Leicester, Seneca Falls and Ovid — throughout the day. Greater Rochester Integrity and Truth (GRIT) supported and organized the protest locations, and the events remained peaceful as protesters gathered in unanimity.
From 1–4 p.m, in high spirits and positivity, Henrietta protesters lined the sidewalks of Calkins Road from Henrietta Town Hall to the Henrietta Recreation Center. Small groups walked up and down the road chanting, “Hands off our immigrants!” and “Donald Trump has got to go!” Protestors carried signs expressing their disapproval against Trump’s administration, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and the defunding of science.
Peaceful protesting has been used throughout history as a way to push for change, and when asked why they came to the “No Kings” protest, demonstrators answered that their motivation was the same — to use their First Amendment right to express their views and better their community. “I think what we have right now when we feel powerless is the tradition of Martin Luther King and Mahatma Gandhi of peace and civil disobedience. That’s the only way forward, non-violent protest,” an anonymous protester expressed.
Other protestors, like Daysy, expressed how privileged they are to be able to represent those who cannot represent themselves. Daysy comes from an immigrant family in Southern California who are currently protesting ICE and being met with pushback from the Trump administration. She expressed, “I will keep fighting for them. I am privileged to be a citizen, but a lot of my family is not, so I do this for them.”
Kathy and Wayne, two of the first to arrive at the protest, expressed their fear for the country as they believe it to be growing in similarity to other extreme regimes. Kathy said, “I’m 73 years old, born and raised in Rochester. I see history in Germany, people say, ‘No, it’s not the same…’ but this is not the America I remember. So at 73, there’s not much I can do but exercise my rights to say, ‘I want my country back the way it was.’”
A staggering number of United States veterans, most carrying the American flag, also expressed their concerns. “I hope it will be peaceful and show what is happening is wrong,” said a U.S. Coast Guard veteran.
“I feel excited and energized…. I think I was disappointed to see this takeover of our country,” says Vietnam War veteran William Reavey.
As the protest continued, cars passing by participated by honking their horns and playing music. Passing motorcyclists attached flags to their bikes in support, and some cars rolled down their windows to show passengers holding supportive signs with phrases such as “all power to the people.”
Rochester has been known to be home to many civil rights movements and activists throughout the decades. Now in these polarizing times in our nation, the city and its communities continue to be a place of activism and support.
