This past Saturday, thousands of people gathered at the Bruce R. Thompson Courthouse for the recurring No Kings, a nationwide demonstration to protest what many view as the administration’s turn toward authoritarianism. Their message: there have been no kings for the last 250 years, and now democracy needs to be protected to keep it that way.
Demonstrators came with signs, songs, and stories. The crowd spanned generations, from young activists to seniors who’ve witnessed decades of political change.
“I'm here because I truly do love America and I don't think it's ever been what our Declaration of Independence has described and I feel like especially right now we're slipping back further than we have in recent times and like we've made some progress and kind of regressed,” said Shannon, 22, one of many Gen Zers who showed up to march.
“I think protesting is especially important right now because there is censorship in the media at the moment and I think it's just kind of scary and I think it's important to be out here while we still can.”
Some protesters carried clever signs. One was shaped like a jellyfish. Others wore inflatable costumes like unicorns and clowns, even axolotls seen at recent protests in Portland and Chicago. But beneath the humor was a sense of urgency especially among younger voices,.
“The reason that I came was because we're falling from democracy. We need to keep that shit here. If we let it go anywhere else it's gonna fail. If we fail the entire like the rest of democracy fails,” Eleanor, 28, said.
“I think everybody belongs here because the older generation is leaving us the country and the younger people are gonna have to pick up those ropes. They're gonna have to pick up the slack. We have to have people who have the courage … to move towards you know getting into those places in office.”
The older generation which has been spearheading smaller weekly protests was also present for this large gathering.
“On the news they said, ‘Why are older people, such as myself, coming to so many of these rallies?’ And they said, ‘Well, we've been allowed to see a lot of different presidents.’ I'm 77. And I thought, that’s kind of the way I feel. We see a difference in this presidency, a real difference. And it matters,” Mary Lou, 77, said.
As chants echoed through the Biggest Little City, the crowd marched through downtown Reno, signs high and voices loud. Whether through art, costumes, or activism the people in attendance all have a clear goal in mind, protect democracy. The protestors remind elected leaders, the people hold the power not kings.
Report, photos and audio by Amanda Avilla