Grass root groups took to area streets and overpasses again on Oct. 18 as part of a large nationwide “No Kings II” demonstration.
Demonstrations across the country were held in every state; at an estimated number of 2,700 or more locations. The mass mobilization called attention to what demonstrators see as the administration’s increasingly authoritarian tactics. problems include disrupting government services, infringing on personal freedoms, and unconstitutional use of the military and law enforcement against citizens and non-citizens. The issues generating protest are mounting, from originally the dissatisfaction with immigration and ICE raids. Now protest signs cite use of national guard troops in cities; cutting medical insurance; slashing government programs, jobs, departments, and funds allocated by Congress; shutting down the government; attacks on free speech by students and the media; and what has been called weaponizing the justice system by pursuing political enemies in the courts, among other issues. As the issues grow, so has the number of those protesting, from two million in the June protest, to an estimated 8.2 million on Oct. 18.
Several of the local protests were organized by area groups of Indivisible, a group advocating non-violent activism. Numerous locations in Northern Virginia drew thousands, in Annandale, Fair Lakes, Kingstowne, Springfield, West Springfield and other locations. The gatherings, filled with a sea of American flags and signs with a variety of dissent, were described by participants as having a party atmosphere. Adding to the note of fun behind the serious issues highlighted this time, was an increase in the number of costumed protestors. There were costumed frogs, inspired by the Portland Oregon protests, as well as pink unicorns and dinosaurs. No incidents of violence were reported.
Erica Soroban, co-founder of Indivisible of Franconia, says, “Our peaceful day of action brings together local residents of all walks of life who share a simple message: We don’t ‘do’ kings in America. We are making it clear to the Administration and to elected officials that what’s happening in America today is not normal, nor should it be.”
In neighboring Washington D.C., the crowd of protesters on Pennsylvania Ave was estimated at 200,000.