‘No Kings’ rallies in smaller NC towns focus on immigration policies, economy
The “No Kings” rallies held in big cities may have drawn bigger crowds on Saturday, but the ones held in small towns like Pittsboro had a special feel: part political rally, part church revival.
“It’s good to surrounded by people of similar mind,” Dirk Ples said, standing on a corner near the Chatham County Justice Center holding a sign that read, “No U.S. Monarchy Except Dairy Queen, Burger King and Prince.”
The 90-minute rally drew more than 500 people who stood in a cool breeze under sunny skies to hear local organizers talk about the history of democracy in America and sing along to “This Land is Your Land.”
At one point, a man at the podium on the courthouse steps made a call via loudspeaker to the office of Sen. Thom Tillis and had the crowd leave a message they hoped he would take to heart. “No kings,” they chanted into the speaker’s cell phone. “No kings!”
Jan Herboth, 75, was at the Pittsboro rally, one of several No Kings events she said she has attended. Herboth said she never felt compelled to protest in her life until the first Trump administration when she traveled with several family members to Washington for the initial Women’s March.
“I had to come out” for the rally, she said. “I didn’t feel I had a choice.”
Tabitha Garcia of Pittsboro brought her daughter Sadie, who is 10. They listened as speakers talked about students losing health care or worrying about immigrant parents being arrested while their kids are at school.
Garcia held up a sign that said, “The only monarchs we want are butterflies.”
Like others, Garcia said she was glad to be around others who are dissatisfied with the way things have been going in the country.
“I want a future for my child,” she said. “I’d like a future for myself as well.”
Twenty miles away, in Sanford, more than 200 people filled Depot Park, a downtown outdoor gathering spot the town has used for concerts, free summer movies and the annual Christmas tree lighting. About half the crowd brought folding chairs to set up on the grass and many carried signs, a trademark of the movement.
One protester in an inflatable shark suit held up a sign that said, “Eggs are expensive because all the chickens are in Congress.”
James Tart stood in the crowd at that event wearing a baseball cap that declared his status as a U.S. Army veteran of the first Gulf War. Tart said his service in the military was the reason he is upset with the Trump administration, which he said is driven by racism and hate and anger over “the fact that old white men won’t always be in charge.”
People at the rallies had different issues on which they said they differ with the current administration: immigration policy, the use of ICE agents in American cities, cuts to Medicaid, spending on the war in Iran, support for Israel in its bombing of Gaza.
For Tart, a big issue is the future of elections in this country. “They don’t want us to vote,” he said. “I wouldn’t be surprised if there are people with guns at the polling places soon.”
Local organizer Lindsey Knapp was pleased with the turnout at the Sanford rally and said it was the biggest one there so far. Attending a No Kings event feels like taking action, she said, and is more satisfying than scrolling on social media through news stories and anecdotes about ways in which the country has been changing under Trump.
Coming out in person, she said, “Is a reminder that people are good. We all just want to live, love and be in community.”
