Local organization Indivisible Las Cruces held Las Cruces’ third and largest ‘No Kings’ protest on March 28. Members of the community were invited to protest against the Trump administration at Albert Johnson Park.
The protest was one of many, with others taking place in all 50 states on the same day and gathering more than 8 million attendees, according to PBS.
Protesters brought signs, chants, music, and speakers to convey their concerns about the current government administration.
At this protest specifically, protesters highlighted the current Iran war and immigration policies, with tablers handing out whistles to notify others of ICE presence and pamphlets with more information on government-related issues for people to take home after the event.
“Trump just makes up everything as he goes along,” Idie Foley, a protester, said. “There’s no principles. What are we doing in Iran? It’s all insane.”
Along with the dissent against the war, ICE detention centers were also a common and negatively viewed topic among those present.
“They’re just shoving hundreds of thousands of people into, essentially, concentration camps,” protester Chas Miller said. “There’s one in El Paso. They’re everywhere. To me, again, this is what they did in Germany in the ‘30s. And people said, ‘Why would people just sit and let that happen?’ Well, now we know that it’s not easy to fight these things.”
Compared to the last ‘No Kings’ protest held at the same location, attendees remarked that each one brings in more and more protesters.
“We’re demonstrating our resolve to the opposition,” protester Leslie White said. “If republicans could have a rally like this, they’d have one every week. But they can’t, the people are with us.”
Along with the protesters at the park, cars drove up and down the street in solidarity, similar to the two “No Kings’ protests that took place before.
Many in attendance noted that while protesting with others gave them hope, they still had worries about the future.
“I just know that right now, we just got to get rid of this administration ASAP,” Foley said. “Because if we have to put up with this for another three more years, our country is going to be over.”
While protesters included people of all ages, a vast majority of attendees were older people. Many of whom said there should be more encouragement among younger people to attend protests like these.
“I would say 90% of the people here are [older people], and you know, we’re not going to be here much longer, but you guys have to get out and stop this,” White said.
Despite the bigger turnout, those involved still wish to see more attendees at each protest.
Along with the number of protesters, attendees commented that the last ‘No Kings’ protest took place five months ago – and many agree they should be more frequent.
“What I’m disappointed in is it’s only every couple months,” White said. “It’s too long. We need it.”
A view added onto by other protesters.
“I think we should have a protest every day of the week,” Foley said. “It’s too far apart. I just feel like it’s not enough.”
Those who were not able to attend, organizers said, are encouraged to vote in the midterm and primary elections.
More information on ‘No Kings’ event can be found here.
