Hundreds turned out holding signs during the No Kings rally June 14 in Market Square.
Thousands of people flooded Market Square in Old Town as part of the “No Kings” protests that took place across the country June 14.
Hundreds of signs and banners were on display as the crowd cheered speakers that included U.S. Rep. Don Beyer, Mayor Alyia Gaskins, Virginia State Senator Adam Ebbin, Virginia House of Delegates representative Charniele Herring and Alexandria Commonwealth’s Attorney Bryan Porter.
“Go ahead, have your parade and your pomp and circumstance. We don’t care," said Alexandria Mayor Alyia Gaskins. "We don’t pay attention to it, because at the end of the day, we know we are stronger than that.”
The local event was organized by the Alexandria Democratic Committee as part of the national No Kings coalition, which said that millions of people demonstrated in over 1,500 cities and towns across the country. The coordinated effort was intended to coincide with the Washington D.C. festivities celebrating the 250th birthday of the United States Army.
“I want to bring a message of hope, a message of strength, of resilience and of the millions of ways we are fighting back each and every day,” Beyer said in his remarks. “We are not helpless. We love our country. We love and celebrate the rule of law. We will resist. We will prevail.”
Ebbin, the only Jewish person to speak at the event, was heckled by a pro-Palestinian protestor.
“I couldn’t really hear what was being said but it’s sad that it happened,” Ebbin said. “We’re here to support everyone’s right to speak even if we disagree with each other. We’re living in a democracy and should let people be heard.”
Local attendees turned out to have their voices heard.
“We need to continue raising our voices against all the crazy things happening in our government,” said Taki Sidley. “We need a change as soon as possible.
Said Joseph Geulah, “What is really driving me out here is seeing all the ICE raids, picking up our neighbors, working mothers, fathers, kids. No one is being spared. It’s like the Gestapo in our communities.”
Alexandria resident John Killeen added, “We are the home of George Washington. We don’t believe in kings.”
Joan Hartmann Moore holds a sign during the No Kings rally.