People across Tucson gathered at Reid Park in the early morning on June 14 for a unified message: “No Kings.” There was a sizable crowd around the bandshell amphitheater, with people hitting a stress-relief piñata while listening to dulcet tones. Others were protesting by the curb, playing drums, chanting, ringing bells or playing music on loudspeakers to cars that passed. By noon, it was over 100 degrees.
Protests across the United States have spurred responses from citizens due to the recent actions of President Donald Trump and his administration. Trump requested for a military parade to be held in Washington D.C. for the 250th anniversary of the Armed Forces. This date also coincides with Trump’s birthday. This led to mass protests across the nation, with many arguing that Trump is using excessive power for this parade.
The name “No Kings” has a few origins. It is the name of a proposed bill by Senator Chuck Shumer as a way to strip the blanket immunity granted to the president by the Supreme Court.
It also could be in reference to Trump’s usage of presidential power and status that has not been used to this flagrant degree. Many have felt that Trump’s power has resembled an authoritarian dictator. During a news conference at the White House on June 12, Trump said, “I don’t feel like a king. I have to go through hell to get things approved.”
There is not a defined hierarchy to the “No Kings” protests in Tucson. It appears that many independent groups have organized rallies under the “No Kings” such as cans 4 climate and Mobilize Tucson.
According to the Associated Press, the “50501 movement” was a reason the “No Kings” protest gained momentum. The 50501 movement was a loosely organized group based on the idea of protesting the president on Feb. 5.
Many people in Tucson came out to protest for the first time, including James Montoya, 20, with a major in Computer Science at the University of Arizona.
Montoya was told about the protest by a friend. “I don’t like ICE or Trump, so I’m out here to show my support,” Montoya said.
Martha Boose, 74, is a retired Tucsonan who has been protesting since the Vietnam War. In reference to antagonistic signs, Boose had a slightly different viewpoint. “I don’t think we need to go there,” Boose said.
“Stand for what you want.” Boose said. She expressed that the hatred for leaders like Trump is temporary, whereas standing up for a specific goal or cause can be more effective.
There were others in the emotional middle ground, such as Dixie Bungard, 33, a media marketing consultant and a prolific demonstrator. She has a more cynical view on the current state of affairs.
“We have a senator tackled to the ground for doing his job […]. We have a senator and representative — people are trying to kill them,” Bungard said, referring to the recent assassination of Democratic lawmakers in Minnesota.
“We are at a point in this where I’m not going to pretend like things are getting better,” Bungard said.
Bungard expressed that we, as citizens, should be doing more. “I’ve seen people’s response to governments that make them change,” Bungard said. She emphasized that we must do more to create change.
