A large crowd gathers on B.A. Clark grass field to listen to speakers. (Photo by Sandra Rivera.)
The second “No Kings” protest against rising authoritarianism in the Trump administration since June brought thousands of Spokanites back to B.A. Clark Park on Saturday afternoon. The name, chosen by organizers with Indivisible and other progressive organizations, is an assertion that President Donald Trump must stop abusing his power.
Thousands of protesters lined Division Street, while others gathered around a speaker’s tent in the middle of the park where activists called out Michael Baumgartner, who represents Eastern Washington in the US House of Representatives.
Baumgartner has supported most of Trump’s policies, including cutting taxes for the wealthiest Americans and health care and food benefits for the poorest, reducing support for clean energy and ballooning the defense budget.
Maeve Griffith speaks before a crowd of thousands at the No Kings protest. (Photo by Sandra Rivera.)
“Something sinister happened to Michael Baumgartner,” said Maeve Griffith, a local military veteran, retired local firefighter, transgender activist and artist, during a short speech to the demonstrators.
Attendees wear coats, gloves, and scarves while listening to speeches by The League of Women Voters. Photo by Sandra Rivera.
By 11 a.m., the park was a sea of coats, signs, drums, and energy. Some rallyers came in support of food security, others for trans rights, others to stop Trump’s immigration crackdown. There were almost no counterprotesters.
Folks line both sides of Division Street for about a mile. Photo by Sandra Rivera.
Organizers estimated more than 10,000 people showed up.
Spokanites line Division Street, opposite side of B.A. Clark Park. Photo by Sandra Rivera.
While many people were inside the park listening to speakers, the line of protestors seeking visibility from commuters stretched about a mile, from Denny’s diner to the Northtown Mall. At about 2:45 pm, some protestors left the park for an unplanned march around the Garland District,carrying homemade signs and chanting.
A group of young adults protest against the Trump administration’s attacks on LGBTQIA+ communities. Photo by Sandra Rivera.
Some of the signs displayed slogans like, “No Kings,” “We the People,” and “Love Wins,” “We Love America” and “Not Paid to Be Here” — direct responses to Republican Speaker of the House Mike Johnson’s allegations that the protests would be “anti-American” and the protesters were paid by leftist organizations to demonstrate.
Others were more comedic: “Clean up on Aisle 47,” “I like my cities like I like my whiskey. Neat, no ICE,” and a drawing of a cat with the caption “Fascists get Scratches.”
Dawn Moon stands next to Garfield wearing a jumpsuit covered in topics she has concerns over. Photo by Sandra Rivera.
Dawn Moon, dressed in a white jumpsuit scribbled with colorful words, said, “I’ve made several different suits for protests because I have too many opinions for one sign.”
A protester wearing an inflatable frog costume holds a sign depicting Trump’s pants on fire. Photo by Sandra Rivera.
Two attendees wear crochet frog hats, the costume popularized in Oregon protests against federal immigration agents this month. Photo by Sandra Rivera.
Dennis Mitchell rolled up to the protest in a car decorated with inflatable Trump dolls, stickers and a poop emoji crown. “Today is way bigger, way better” than the April Hands Off! protest, he said.
“People are aware now. More people are willing to stand up for what’s right.”
Dennis Mitchell shows off his costume and car. Photo by Sandra Rivera.
A protester brings color and positive vibes to those next to her on the sidewalk . Photo by Sandra Rivera.
The protest stayed peaceful, aside from one tussle captured by The Spokesman, and no arrests were made.
The pirate flag from the anime, One Piece, has become a symbol during protests. Photo by Sandra Rivera.
An array of homemade signs. Photo by Sandra Rivera.
