Thousands turn out for CT ‘No Kings’ day rally, lining streets, vowing to protect democracy

They came out more than 5,000 strong on Saturday at Connecticut’s State Capitol with a unified and clear message echoing voices across the nation: We will have no kings.

With signs of every shape and size, chants, speeches and cheers, state residents and officials, one after another, evoked their fear of the direction the nation is heading, noting concern for how immigrants are being treated, courts are being ignored, universities are being targeted, services cut and military forces being used in an American city.

It was noted by many that the rally came on the same day as a massive military parade planned in Washington D.C. during which President Donald Trump was expected to demonstrate American military might.

“Millions of people in more than 2,000 cities and towns across the country were to take part in the ‘No Kings,’ a national day of peaceful mobilization to defend democracy, reject authoritarian overreach and stand up for their communities,” according to a statement from organizers.

An element was made clear in Hartford and in multiple other rallies around the state: People in Connecticut who do not agree will not remain quiet and will fight to protect democracy, other rights and residents. There were many mentions of a young Meriden man taken into custody by ICE just as he was about to graduate high school, men grabbed at a Southington car wash, and the mother plucked from her car in a New Haven neighborhood as she took her children to school.

“I want to show support for those who are being persecuted,” said Carlton Ovit of Canaan, who was among the crowd that gathered behind the State Capitol and stretched well into the lawn, as well as lining Capital Avenue by the hundreds. “I am just so against all the things that are being done.”

His concern that the legal right to due process was being ignored in immigration cases was repeated by many, and Ovit said he sees this as a “power grab” by the Trump administration.

“I fear the path this country seems to be taking,” said Karen Rotella of Waterbury, a retired teacher who said she also see a “lack of respect and adherence to the rule of law” occurring. She said she feels very sorry that people who might be profiled by race or culture are “going to be stolen and deported.”

Tim Dumond of Cheshire said he turned out Saturday simply because he wanted to show support for protecting the constitution. “We don’t want a king; we want democracy.”

Couple Barbara and David Schwaber, who split their time between Florida and Connecticut, said they’re very familiar with such rallies, as they have been part of them since those on the Vietnam War in the 1970s. They said they have even done so in conservative Florida.

“We feel we have to stand up,” Barbara Schwaber said. Her husband noted what many others did as well Saturday: the concern they have for what is happening in America echoing what occurred in Germany in the 1930s.

Along with activists, organizers, clergy and others, state politicians joined the rally, included U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal, U.S. Rep. John Larson, D-1, Lt. Gov. Susan Bysiewicz and state lawmakers.

“We are here to say enough,” Kica Matos, president of the National Immigration Law Center, a New Haven resident and longtime activist. “This is the land of we the people … in America we do not do kings.”

Nadia Sims, who is Manchester Poet Laureate, warned of what can occur when labeling people, such as when a person is called just an immigrant.  “When a person is robbed of their personhood, they rob you, too,” she said.

Bysiewicz had the crowd give a moment of silence for the Minnesota lawmaker and her husband who were shot and killed Saturday in what Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz described as “targeted political violence.” Melissa Hortman, a former Minnesota House Speaker, and her spouse were shot and killed early Saturday in their home.

Bysiewicz, who greeted many people in the crowd before speakers began, also pointed out and named the lawmakers who were there Saturday, describing them as “the firewall” protecting the people of Connecticut and their rights. She said people in the state often say “I am so glad I live in Connecticut.”

“In Washington we have leader who is creating chaos,” she said, adding that in Connecticut “we protect constitutional rights and freedoms.”

A 30-year-old rally participant who said his name is Paul, said it is the duty of citizens to speak up when they see something wrong. The system of three equal branches of government should be respected, he said. “Basically I see everything Trump is doing echoing the history of dictators,” he said.

Another rally-goer, who identified himself as Dave of Glastonbury, said, “if you give one guy absolute power, anything can happen.”

“No Kings” was a theme made by a national movement called 50501 that stands for 50 states, 50 protests, one movement.