Report on No Kings from western NY.

[wnylib]

Small purple city in a red county. Larger group than last time. Several hundred turned out, despite cloudy sky, a few wind gusts, and 30°F temperature. Had occasional snowflakes drifting down.

Started with a rally in a park, followed by protesters going to the sidewalks with signs along the streets bordering the park. Very busy intersection. Majority of cars honked in agreement as they passed by, even a city firetruck.

A few Trumpists drove by revving their engines. Two Trump supporter repeatedly drove slowly next to the curb shouting names at us. They had signs in their windows that said, "Thank you, Donald Trump." Protesters at that end of the block chanted back, "We love even you." So after their third trip around the block, the Trumpists gave up and left.

Large speakers amplified a phone playlist that included:

This Land is Your Land
War! What is it Good For?
Turn,Turn, Turn

And a new song about Minnespolis. Did not get the name.

Three of my favorite signs today were:

Make 1984 fiction again.

Racism is not patriotism.

When injustice becomes law, then resistance becomes duty.

[Beartracks]

1. "occasional snowflakes" -- Hopefully not the kind that drive by and flip you off!

================

[wnylib]

2. A couple of those, too, but they were disappointed by

our response chant that we loved even them.

[La Coliniere]

3. Another WNYer here

We attended the protest in Williamsville, NY., a middle class suburb of Buffalo. A few thousand highly spirited people I’d say, which is slightly larger than the October event, even though the weather was cold and windy today. So many great signs which were mostly responded to positively by the many cars passing by.

[wnylib]

4. I am not far from Buffalo and am familiar with Williamsville.

I lived there for a year while taking some classes at ECC decades ago. Williamsville seemed pretty conservative to me back then.

[La Coliniere]

6. Many progressives live in Williamsville.

West Seneca, on the other hand, is another story.

[Brenda]

5. Was it Bruce Springsteen's "Streets of Minneapolis"?

I believe he's performing it live in Minne today.

Thanks for the update. I couldn't make my local No Kings but I'm betting it was bigger than the last one I was at.

[wnylib]

7. Yes, it was.

[Irish_Dem]

8. Thank you for attending the protest and the report!

Great job on both!

I am very happy it was safe and well attended.

[HeartsCanHope]

10. Had a great protest here in St. Louis, MO, too. This was my 4th No King's Protest.

We usually go to a major road to protest that has sidewalks on both sides. Lots of standing together and

showing our signs to mostly supportive drivers. Many of the cars driving by had people with

Anti-Trump signs, too.

This was the biggest protest I've been to, and I'm anxious to find out how many protestors. Today there

were volunteers who gave us numbered stickers. We drove the length of the last very rainy No King's protest,

and it was over a mile long! Wonder what the count will be today?

The St. Louis County police patrolled the area, and kept everyone safe. Had one truckload of MAGA idiots.

with a Trump/Vance sign on their pickup, but the police followed them around to make sure they behaved,

protestors didn't engage with them, and they soon gave up and left.

Lots of great signs, and lots of interesting people. Several dogs this time. My favorite dog was a dog whose

owner said the dog's name was Dunkin', "Like Dunkin' Donuts". Made me think of our Duncan pup! I was very

happy to be able to pet Dunkin'. He was a VERY good boy. Most chill dog I've ever met! Not good

with dog breeds, but Dunkin' looked like a golden Labrador.

Very good protest, and it was nice to be with like-minded people!