Protestors successful NYC. Credit: Instagram @thenyic
Millions of Americans took to nan streets connected Saturday, October 18, arsenic portion of nan “No Kings” serene protests, a coordinated nationalist objection against President Donald Trump’s administration.
Events were reportedly held successful each 50 US states, marking 1 of nan largest days of protestation successful caller US history.
Demonstrators called for nan protection of antiauthoritarian institutions, denounced nan delegation of nan National Guard, and opposed cuts to healthcare and migration raids.
In Los Angeles, Mayor Karen Bass confirmed that each 10 demonstrations were peaceful. “We cognize he’s not a king,” she told CNN. “But we don’t want to spot our populist descent backwards into authoritarianism.”
Crowds danced to salsa bands and carried rainbow, American, and Mexican flags, pinch immoderate protesters donning inflatable frog and unicorn costumes.
Similar scenes unfolded successful New York City, wherever nan constabulary reported complete 100,000 demonstrators filled Times Square, chanting “This is what populist looks like.” No protest-related arrests were reported successful New York.
In Washington DC, Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders told crowds, “We’re not present because we dislike America – we’re present because we emotion America,” urging citizens to take sides antiauthoritarian freedoms.
Federal shutdown fuels discontent
The demonstrations coincided pinch a national government shutdown, which has furloughed thousands of workers. One protester, a long-serving national employee, said she had been “in tears” aft caller layoffs.
“The elimination of these jobs is threatening people’s expertise to support a tile complete their heads,” she told CNN, adding that nan management showed a “lack of compassion” toward civilian servants.
Organisers rejected guidance claims that nan protests were “anti-American” aliases “antifa-linked.” Lisa Gilbert, co-president of nan group Public Citizen, said nan movement’s connection was clear,
“The president wants america to beryllium scared, but we will not beryllium bullied into fearfulness and silence.”
There was isolated hostility extracurricular an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) installation successful Portland, wherever state canisters were hurled astatine forceful protestors. Apart from this incident, nan events reportedly remained non-violent.
For expats and locals surviving successful nan US, nan No Kings protests awesome increasing unease astir antiauthoritarian stableness and migration argumentation – some of which could impact residency and visa processes.
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