As tensions across the United States continue to rise, so do the people pleading for civility through change. As they had done twice before, thousands of protestors in the Quad City area gathered together to make their voices heard, pushing back against those in power.
On March 28, an estimated 4,000 people flooded LeClaire Park in Davenport, Iowa, not only to speak their minds on current events they believe are plaguing the U.S., but also to listen to those with something to say about it.
LeClaire Park’s picnic shelter acted as a stage for numerous speakers, including Iowa state senator Cindy Winckler-D, who spoke out against the acts of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers, the war in Iran and many other issues being supported or enforced by President Donald Trump and his current regime.
Even those not speaking in front of a crowd had something to say, including Julie Ross, an organizer for Visibility Brigade Quad Cities, an organization that promotes resistance actions at busy intersections across the Quad Cities. Ross said that despite current conflicts, the people who attend events like this keep her fighting. .
“With the encroaching fascism and everything it’s carrying, from taking away voting rights to abducting people without due process, to going into unnecessary wars, which many of us are convinced are just to divert us from the Epstein files,” Ross said. “But you know what? These are good patriots [attending the No Kings Rally], and they know what they need to do, peacefully and joyously.”
According to NBC News, more than 3,000 “No Kings” events were planned nationwide, with the number of attendees rumored to have well surpassed the millions. Heading into this event, the first two of its kind had brought in roughly 5 million and 7 million, and, according to Bradley Levinson, the media lead for Davenport’s sponsor of the No Kings Protest, Indivisible QC, the hope was to surpass 10 million attendees nationwide.
Sarah Collins, one of those in attendance for multiple No Kings Protests, said that seeing numbers like that is inspiring, especially witnessing new people show up each time.
“It means the cause is growing,” Collins said. “I’ve been coming to the No Kings Protests since they started, so it’s encouraging each time to come and see extra people getting involved, telling everyone they know, and seeing new people getting excited about it. It feels hopeful that people are coming together in the Quad Cities and waking up and becoming aware.”
With the cause continuing to expand, not only in the number of attendees but also in national and global coverage, some believe a “next step” has to be taken sooner or later.
For some, that next step includes contacting local representatives. For that, Collins suggests using 5 Calls, a website or app that provides you your representative’s phone number and a script to help you correctly request what you believe needs to be addressed.
Others believe that forming these communities and connections is the best way to move forward, encouraging those around you to participate in the fight against what you believe to be worth fighting for.
However, one theme persisted: in a rally filled with older generations, change will only happen if younger generations join the cause.
“It’s now or never,” Augustana College class of ‘72 alumna Kathleen Finkler said. “You can’t just sit back. Us old folks are going to be gone, and then [the younger generation] are still going to be here and you’re going to have to live with this. It’s up to everybody to be involved.”
After the last speaker called out their final chant, the crowd dispersed, not to go home, but to flood the Davenport sidewalks with their signs above their heads and their voices continuing the shouts that had rung out in the early afternoon.
Those who couldn’t attend drove up and down the street, honking their horns in support, making clear they will not go out silently.
While not all of their voices could be heard, everyone who participated, whether in LeClaire Park, at home or attending any of the other thousands of rallies across the nation, echoed the sentiment that had been shouted by Julie Ross:
“Every action can be an act of resistance.”
