In Alexandria, thousands gathered outside of City Hall carrying signs and shouting protest chants. Sandy Marks, Alexandria Democratic Party Chair, shouted chants out to the crowd, who responded eagerly.
“Here in the greatest city in the country, on the historic stomping grounds of our nation’s founding fathers, we are proud to join together with thousands of other events like ours and hordes of Americans across this great nation to peacefully protest its horrific abuse by the President of the United States and his supporters,” said Alexandria Democratic Party Chair Sandy Marks. Alexandria Mayor Alyia Gaskins, Virginia Rep. Don Beyer, retired Major General Randy Mannor and Virginia Del. Alfonso Lopez also gave speeches.
The rally is in line with a larger trend of recent protest against President Trump, though the political landscape has changed since the first “No Kings” day of protest in June.
“Since we last gathered, this president and his enablers have sent federal troops into American cities, they have gutted critical programs like SNAP and Medicaid, which we know so many of our neighbors depend on for food and health,” said Gaskins. “They have forced us into a government shutdown, where federal workers are waking up every single day, uncertain, not just as to whether or not they will have a paycheck, but whether or not they will have a job to return to.”
A wide range of issues concern Alexandrians. Janny, holding a sign saying “A woman’s place is the House and the Senate,” is worried about her individual liberties. Janny choose not to provide her last name.
“Being a young woman, I know that my rights are at stake right now,” said Janny. “So many people’s rights are being challenged, and I just want to do whatever I can, however small it may be, to help the cause.’
“We stand here, shoulder to shoulder, because we believe in something rare. Something remarkable, something worth protecting,” said Mannor. “The promise of American freedoms and democracy.”
Along with discussing the Trump Administration’s actions, Lopez encouraged Alexandrians to vote in the Virginia election in November.
“If you came here to march, march right there to the elections office and vote early,” said Lopez, gesturing to the building across the street with a line of voters out the door. “If you’re an Alexandria city resident, not county. Need to register to vote? Thanks to these guys up here, we have same day voter registration in Virginia.”
“What I have discovered is that when people get involved for the first time, they realize how important it is,” Beyer told Theogony. “When they’re not involved, when you’re not paying attention, you’re not reading the paper, studying or playing video games, you have no idea how much of a difference you can make.”
Miles Quini contributed reporting.
Right outside the United States Capitol, protesters swarmed Pennsylvania Avenue with signs, costumes and flags.
“I could name a long list of issues, but the most important to me are the abuse by ICE against our immigrants and the absence of due process, the militarization of cities and the big cuts to medicaid,” said Mairym Ramos-Salinas. “Low income families are being strangled by deportations and cuts on basic services.”
Pastor Delonte Gholston kicked off a series of speeches, with Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders, Television scientist Bill Nye and British-American journalist Mehdi Hasan, among other figures all denouncing the administration.
“We will not move toward authoritarianism in America, we the people will rule,” Sanders said.
Nye, D.C. native popularly known for his science education television show ‘Bill Nye the Science Guy, ’ slammed the president’s recent actions.
“We are here to tell our lawmakers that what’s going on in our government is wrong,” said Nye. “They must stop the abuse of this petulant president and his circle of sycophants.”
Cars drove by rows of protesters lined up on both sides of Jefferson street at Crossroads Place shopping center. Teresa and Marian, two protesters who chose not to provide their last names, sat side by side waving American flags.
“It’s just very important to be an active part of democracy, keeping free speech alive,” said Marian.
While some protesters are long term Democrats, others have found themselves alienated from the Republican party due to the rise of the MAGA movement.
“I’m a former Republican, and what we’re dealing with right now is absolutely horrible and dangerous, ” said Teresa, a protester sitting down holding an American flag. “I don’t think I switched [parties]. I think that the Republican party is nothing like what it was.”
“[Peaceful protesting] is constitutionally protected speech,” said Don Curry, an organizer of the Baileys Crossroads No Kings rally. “If you’re a patriot, you stand up for what you believe in, and when you think the government is in error, you try to correct it. The main power that people have is speaking out.”
Raising signs at the cars speeding by, chants condemning the Trump administration rang out from protesters on South Van Dorn Street & Kingstowne Village Parkway.
“I am out here because I hate the direction our country has taken since the last election,” said Carrie, who chose not to provide her last name.
Carries sign, which read “You are wrong Mike-I protest because I love my country” counters Louisiana Rep. Mike Johnson’s recent comments describing the planned protests as the ‘hate America rallies.’
“I think it’s important to show that people love democracy and don’t want authoritarianism. They want rule of law,” said an anonymous protester.
“I’m really concerned about how ICE is harassing and detaining people,” said protester Rachel Goodman. “I’m a mental health counselor, and the long term trauma from this is going to impact kids for many generations.”
“There’s a lot of fear that we are powerless and hopeless,” Goodman said. “This is part of us coming together in community to feel like we can try to make a difference, take back some of that power, and try to stand up and speak out. Because if we don’t, I think the administration and their allies are going to continue to harm people.”
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