No Kings rally draws more than 800 people, including Medford residents, to Winchester

By Daisy Levine and Aayushi Datta 

Hundreds of people of all ages, many dressed in costumes and waving American flags, turned out Saturday at the Winchester Unitarian Society for the town’s No Kings protest.

“This is what democracy looks like!” they chanted.

The Oct. 18 rally drew more than 800 residents not only from Winchester, but nearby communities. No Kings protests took place in more than 2,700 communities across the United States for the second time this year. The first occurred in June, in response to criticisms that President Donald Trump has been using authoritarian rhetoric and tactics.

Indivisible Winchester’s (IndivisibleWIN) chief organizer Kim Whittaker said she wanted to emphasize that everyone loves America but protested out of concern.

“It just speaks to the level of concern and horror that people are feeling right now in what’s happening to our country,” said Whittaker, treasurer of Indivisible Winchester.

Ilene Lerner, 82, has been an activist since age 18. On Saturday, she made it to the demonstration despite her limited mobility — she couldn’t stand on her own — but speaking with Winchester News and Gotta Know Medford brought her to tears.

“It just does my heart good, because I’m so upset about what’s going on,” Lerner said, as she placed her hand over her heart. 

Lerner, a second-generation American, said she’d be “horrified” if her grandparents were treated the way Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers have handled the immigration crisis under the Trump administration.

“This is supposed to be a Christian country, and look what they’re doing to people,” she said. “All of us are immigrants. The only people who aren’t are the Native Americans.”

Standing between his two dads and his younger brother, 11-year-old Jasper Hamnvik said he is concerned about what has been happening across the country.

“I don’t want soldiers walking around on our streets, except on Halloween,” he said.

His father Ole-Petter Hamnvik said it was important to show his son he can make his voice heard.

“We want to show them that you actually have a voice in this country,” said Hamnvik, 45. “We talk a lot about how we disagree with the current policies, and we want to show him that you don’t have to be passive bystanders and just accept what’s happening.”

Showing up at the rally meant “doing something” for Daniel Smith, a 79-year-old resident of Medford. As he stood under a tree and held his sign against his chest, Smith questioned the basic civic learning he was taught that are the basis of the U.S. Constitution. 

“Where are the checks and balances?” Smith said. “Where is the separation of powers? Where all of this stuff that they said couldn't happen because the Constitution was designed to prevent it?”

It was Tylor Stewart’s first demonstration. Stewart, 59, showed up by himself Saturday morning, inspired by his sister who’s gay and happily married.

“It’d be nice if her marriage was not made invalid, on either a state or a federal level,” he said. “All these things are possible now, and they shouldn’t be.”

Stewart said the only way to have liberty is to exercise it. 

“This is the best way to peacefully resist the encroaching authoritarianism,” Stewart said. “We can let people know that this is not okay and that the people do not approve of this.”

Whittaker said democracy depends on showing up. 

“We’re so proud of Winchester today, really,” Whittaker said. “This is really heartening to see.” 

Daisy Levine and Aayushi Daata are journalism students at Boston University. This story is part of a partnership between Winchester News and the Boston University Department of Journalism.

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