Hundreds of Constituents Gather for October No Kings Protest
Local reactions to federal actions
By the hundreds, members of the Erie community gathered in Perry Square on Oct. 18 for one of thousands of No Kings protests nationwide. The demonstrations across the country amassed nearly 7 million participants. The No Kings protests serve as a response to perceived authoritarian actions by the Trump administration, including deportations without due process, deploying the national guard in major cities, and making major cuts to healthcare, education, and environmental protection. The protesters declare that the United States is a democracy and has no king.
Perry Square was filled with protesters young and old, with tents along the margins of the park to provide community members with resources such as voter registration and information on activist organizations like 50501 Erie, French Creek Indivisible, and Fair Districts PA.
Local speakers discussed various topics such as healthcare cuts, food insecurity, immigrant rights, and the militarization of police and ICE. Liz Allen, a writer for both this publication and Emmaus Ministries, and a former city councilwoman, talked about how the Trump administration has contributed to growing food insecurity in America, including the USDA canceling the Current Population Survey Food Security Supplement and Trump canceling 94 million pounds of food aid. "Two weeks ago the food pantry at Emmaus, which is normally open on Monday and Tuesday mornings, closed for two days because there wasn't enough food to distribute," said Allen, elaborating on how these cuts were affecting the Erie community. Allen argued that while millions of Americans are at risk of losing SNAP benefits, Trump dined at Mar-a-Lago for a super PAC MAGA Inc. fundraiser, with dinners going for $1 million dollars per plate.
Cole Schenley, a member of the Erie Democratic Socialists, spoke about global issues including the ongoing conflict in Gaza, which he described as a genocide, and political unrest in South American countries like Venezuela. "There's been a surge of immigration from people trying to escape the awful conditions our government has imposed on their homelands," Schenley said. "It's insidious how the Republican party has demonized immigration for decades, treating refugees as an invading horde, but happy to reap the financial gains from destroying their countries." Schenley went on to say that while the issues in our country can feel overwhelming, a united working class can be a powerful force for democracy and accountability.
An attendee of the protest named Rachel, who requested her last name to be omitted, explained that she worries for the future of her children, including her son who requires regular medical care. At the same time, activist Carlos Mora approached the stage to speak. Originally from Colombia, he explained how he witnessed the violence that breeds under a corrupt government and does not want the same for the United States. "I simply don't want to live again in a place where violence, corruption, and the lack of rule of law has become the norm," Mora said. He encouraged the crowd to continue fighting for their rights and the rights of others, to get involved with mutual aid organizations, or simply register to vote. "It's time to take control back. It's time to organize and put ourselves in an uncomfortable situation. It's time to have uncomfortable conversations, to talk to one another, right now," he said.
In the crowd, there was a sense of solidarity, passion, and even joy. As the protest went on, musicians came onstage to sing, some in the crowd sang along and danced. Children got their face painted, some of the designs referencing the inflatable frog costume present at the Portland, Oregon protests. In the heart of the crowd, protester Donna Davis told me, "When you see all of these people, you're thinking, okay I'm not alone."
Alana Sabol can be reached at alana@eriereader.com
