MANCHESTER, NH – People holding signs – and harboring misgivings about the direction of the country under President Trump – lined both sides of the block outside City Hall Saturday for a “No Kings” rally.
It was the third iteration of the nationwide rallies, which drew several hundred protesters to the Queen City. According to organizers it was one of at least 40 protests on the map in New Hampshire, 3,000 across the U.S. and some 39 international protests, amounting to an estimated 8 million people worldwide, united in protest.
Kathy Turgeon, among those who attended the rally, held a colorful “No Kings” sign. Turgeon retired in 2006 after 39 years teaching in Manchester as a Title 1 instructor – the federal education program that provides supplemental funding to schools in low-income areas to ensure students have a high-quality education.
She is upset about how Trump’s policies reflect on Americans as the world watches.
“All around the world people are not happy with us. We’ve lost respect because of Trump’s dishonesty and total disregard for humanity,” said Turgeon.
What troubles her the most is the lack of civility demonstrated by our country’s leaders, particularly the president.
“That’s not who America is, who America has been,” Turgeon said. “Trump’s rude, he’s just not what we expect to be the face of America. So I’m here today for my children, my grandchildren, for all the children I taught, that worked so hard in school, and for the country my father and my relatives fought and died for,” she said.
Although city police were staged nearby, the crowd was self-policed, as protesters were reminded to stay on the sidewalk and off the roadway. Passing motorists frequently honked and waved in support. There were also a few Trump supporters present, including former Ward 10 school board candidate Robert Rivera, carrying a large “Trump 2024” flag. He stood with a small group of fellow Trump supporters across the street from the main area of protest. According to the daily police log there were no reported incidents requiring police intervention during the protest, although one man got into a verbal altercation as seen via this social media post.
The planned protest lasted two hours, from noon to 2 p.m. The peaceful gathering assembled without issue and dispersed right on time. Temperatures were hovering just above freezing but due to the wind-tunnel effect that exists at City Hall Plaza, many protestors crossed over to the sunny side of the street to warm up.
A protester named Tim brought an assortment of signs. Photos/Carol Robidoux
Photos/Carol Robidoux
Just after 2 p.m. one protestor, who identified himself as James, was walking down Elm Street, coffee in hand. “I went in to get a coffee and when I came out, everyone was gone,” he said, attesting to how quickly the crowd dispersed.
Dressed in motorcycle gear, James rode in on his bike which displayed an American flag that read “No Kings.”
This was not his first rally.
“I really have concerns about the future as far as this war that we’ve started, the terrorists we’re creating the economic slowdown we’re starting, the inflation we’re exacerbating. I don’t know how this is going to play out but I don’t think it’s going to be good,” said James.
Beyond the external turmoil, James reflected on how it hits personally and why joining in a protest helps him as he anticipates what’s next when it comes to job security and keeping up with the rising cost of getting by.
“It’s the inflation that worries me the most. As you see I’m in my motorcycle jacket – it’s cheaper to run than my truck,” a chilly ride on a 30-degree day,” he says. “I’m saving a few pennies where I can.”