Westport Area Demonstrators Joins Millions Nationwide In “No Kings” Protest
In more than 2,000 cities and towns all across America, people flocked to the "No Kings" protest rallies on Saturday to express their displeasure with the current administration's policies. According to multiple news outlets, more than five million attended sites nationwide, most of which had registered with NoKings.org. In CT, local reporting stated that there were at least 30 protests which were very well attended, as evidence by our coverage of the Westport event held as almost all protests are, on the Ruth Steinkraus Cohen Memorial bridge in downtown Westport.
Viewer Advisory Notice: Some of the signs shown in the photos posted as part of this article contain strong language and obscenities some viewers may find objectionable.
Photos and Story By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery.
Estimates of the crowd size in Westport's event vary from 1,500 to 2,000, and similarly, estimates in CT's other cities such as Hartford ranged from 7,000 to between 8,000 and 10,000 according to CT Capitol police. Lt. Governor Susan Bysiewicz spoke at the Hartford rally as did Congressman John Larson (District 1, Democrat) and U.S Senator Richard Blumenthal who has appeared multiple times in Westport for protests such as this.
No matter whether you agree with the positions expressed by the protestors it is impossible not to take note of the creativity and cleverness required to come up with hundreds of different signs, banners and slogans and the time it took many to create fairly complex artwork with some being two-sided to make more than one point. Montages with artwork found on the internet combined with hand written slogans and hand drawn illustrations were reflective of much consideration and quite a bit of time.
Some were quite humorous in fact as the biblical reference in the row above (top, left) carefully superimposed over a scene from a Groucho Marx (boomer reference) movie demonstrates. The warning from the menopausal suburban women who are clearly riled up was proudly raised high for all to see. There were a few signs with a similar message, however what was striking was there was not very much duplication. Not everyone was able to walk to demonstrate and relied on mobility assistance.
Photos and Story By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery.
Estimates of the crowd size in Westport's event vary from 1,500 to 2,000, and similarly, estimates in CT's other cities such as Hartford ranged from 7,000 to between 8,000 and 10,000 according to CT Capitol police. Lt. Governor Susan Bysiewicz spoke at the Hartford rally as did Congressman John Larson (District 1, Democrat) and U.S Senator Richard Blumenthal who has appeared multiple times in Westport for protests such as this.
The one dominating image from the crowd was the American flag. They were ubiquitous and while most were displayed normally, a few were postponed upside-down which the U.S. Flag Code describes as " ...a signal of dire distress in instance of extreme danger to life or property.” It has since become a common symbol of the groups opposing the current administration's actions across a broad spectrum of issues.
Photos and Story By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery.
In addition to the crowds lining the Post Rd. from the west end of the bridge to the corner of Main St., many cars which passed by the demonstrators were showing their support, by holding signs similar to those created by those on the street, waving flags, and giving "thumbs-up" or raised fist signs of approval. The constant blaring of car horns in response to the "Honk if you love Democracy" signs and the like, was deafening, with some cars turning around and passing the crowds a second time.
Photos and Story By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery.
Westport PD, in anticipation of the very large crowd provided barriers to insure the safety of those lining the Post road as well as others separating the lines of traffic. Police patrol vehicles were positioned in multiple locations, both in clear view as well as less so, but still nearby. Westport PD command staff including the new chief of Police, David Farrell (above, top row left) kept a watchful eye on the proceedings.
Photos and Story By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery.
The protests in CT were peaceful, however in Utah an innocent bystander, a father of two was shot and killed by a man claiming to be a peacekeeper who had aimed at a different man holding a rifle (ABC 7 Chicago).
Also four Minnesota state officials and their spouses were shot, two fatally by a man posing as a police officer was was arrested two days later after a massive manhunt.
Photos and Story By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery.
While many of the vehicles passing through the demonstration were pretty standard, one enthusiastic moped operator was a few car lengths in front of one of the world’s finest automobiles, a Bentley convertible. While new Bentleys start at over $220,000, they can run as high as nearly $400,000. A 2008 Bentley is actually somewhat affordable at $45,000. Not germaine to this post, however an interesting bit of trivia.
Photos and Story By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery.
Some protestors looked o change their position, perhaps to speak the those on the southern side of the bridge. At one point a person with a bullhorn began a chant which was then joined in by those across he street led by their own bullhorn leader.
There were a couple of pro-Trump appearances at the event. The boat which passed under the Ruth Steinkraus Memorial Bridge (above, right) proudly flew two Trump flags along with the American flag. We have no idea if the pass-by was related to the protest, or just a leisurely Saturday afternoon boat ride. We asked protestors if they had gotten any comments in support of the administration. One group we queried said that occupants of a passing car hurled some F-bombs at the crowd, but for some reason, they covered their faces.
As we were leaving we spotted a black pick-up truck flying a large American flag which many of the protestors had also flown. When attempting to photograph the truck, the operator covered his face, demanding we not photograph him, and provided several F-bombs and asserted that we were faggots. First amendment protections apply to their speech as well as that of the protestors. The difference was the content of the speech from the two sides.