Steve Huppert
Columnist
hupps440@aol.com
The “No Kings” rally was held in Christiansburg Saturday, Oct. 18. It started at noon at the government center. Individuals then walked to the Four Corners of the town for the rally.
It was estimated the number was close to 2,000. The crowd was a mixture of ages from teens to individuals in their eighties. They all had signs and a friendly spirit. No rock throwing, no destroying property. The signs had a message; “Fight Truth Decay,” “Honk if you love Democracy.”
The organizers did a wonderful job in organizing everything and made it a fun learning experience. It was something that the Town of Christiansburg and the New River Valley could and should be proud of as they set an example for rallies everywhere.
The Christiansburg rally was part of a series of 2,500 rallies held across America, organized by the nonpartisan group Indivisible. The rallies were advertised as “the largest peaceful U.S. protest in the modern era.”
In Virginia rallies were held in large cities and in small towns throughout the state. Even Monterey, Va., with a population of 165, had a rally. According to Roanoke Times writer Dan Casey, Monterey has more sheep than people.
Well, it appears that the sheep are just as displeased as their owners. Nine months into Trump’s second term citizens are already fed-up with the constant chaos the country is in, and the pressure to do things Trump’s way or else. Mr. Trump has said if someone does something he doesn’t like he will get revenge. So, he stays pretty busy.
John Bolton, former national security advisor and James Comey, former FBI Director, are two samples.
“Most Republicans are good people, most Democrats are good people, but the White House says outrageous things to make you hate your neighbor. That’s not the problem. The problem is the White House.” – Tim Walz, Governor of Minnesota.
The tariff’s imposed on foreign countries are costing companies in the U.S. $1.2 trillion. These increases in costs will eventually hit the consumer. The recent closure of the federal government is something else making the situation worse and forcing workers to tighten their wallets.
Small businesses are being crushed by Trump’s tariffs. Economists say it’s a warning for the economy. (AOL)
Even though Speaker of the House Mike Johnson says, “people who protest are considered Hamas and terrorists,” people are still doing what they feel is right and the “No Kings” rally is a good example.
The name “No Kings” comes from the belief that Trump feels and wants to be considered a monarch, and in some cases a dictator, rather than a leader of a democracy.
The Trump administration has a negative opinion concerning rallies. White House spokesperson
Abigail Jackson replied when asked about the rallies, “Who cares?”
Who cares? The people in this country care. Basically, the rallies are about citizens exercising their First Amendment right to speak out and say what we feel is right. Not to be put in jail, not to be fired, not to be harassed, they want to express themselves.
This country was founded 250 years ago on the principals on free speech, and because of the attitude of one man, it is not time to change.
Supports of the First Amendment is on display at Saturday’s No Kings rally in Christiansburg.
