Estimated 1K Gather at Peace Park to Show Disapproval of Trump Administration, Parade

Hundreds of people from around the Sheboygan area gathered at Peace Park overlooking the Deland Park Beach on Saturday to display their objections to actions that have been taken – and the way they were taken – by the Trump administration.  The gathering was one of an estimated 2,000 events attended by some 5 million people across the US, timed to coincide with a military parade in Washington celebrating the 250th anniversary of the founding of the Army.  The date was also shared by President Donald Trump’s 79th birthday.

Sentiment expressed by many on the lakefront, via signs and vocal displays, echoed those of others around the nation.  Prominent among the messages was “No Kings”, the theme of the demonstrations objecting to the President’s actions that have been characterized as resembling those taken against the colonists by England’s King George during the American Revolution.  Other signs read “This is the government our founders warned us about”, and “Say No to a government by, of, and for the billionaire class”.

Several offered their opinions when asked by WHBL news why they felt it important to show up and add their voices.  Among those were Christian Ellis of Sheboygan Falls, a Marine Corps veteran of the Vietnam War, who said that calling the Marines to duty in Los Angeles was inappropriate and dangerous, noting that “Marines haven’t been trained in these kinds of exercises; they’re trained to kill, and they have no business in downtown Los Angeles.”  Addressing other actions he described as “egregious” and “illegal” taken by the Trump administration, Ellis said that “We need to stand up; we need to say no more; we need to do it peacefully.  They say it takes roughly 3% of a civilization to show up and protest before change really happens, and I think we’ve just gotta keep showing up and bringing our friends, and eventually we’ll get to that 3%.”

For others, it was more personal.  Two young women were holding a Mexican flag.  One of them, Jessica, was concerned about the deportations under Trump, relating that “My father is from Nuevo Laredo, Mexico, and he’s up her now, and one of my friend’s Mom just got deported to Mexico.”  Her partner, “Jazzlyn” offered that showing up “…really means a lot to me…” and “…for everyone to show up like this, it is amazing, and I really do enjoy doing this.”  The demonstration was peaceful, in line with the Peace Park location, and participants were urged to keep it that way.  The only disturbance was from the occasional passage of a plainly marked Trump supporter repeatedly driving by loudly in his truck, gunning his engine – and greeted by equally loud “boos” from the protesters, who overwhelmingly dominated those participating.  Organizers were hoping to see as many as 600 show up at Peace Park for the event, and late figures from those organizers put the total estimate at 1,000, putting out the message from the crowd loud and clear: “No Kings in the USA.”

(Editors Note: Attendance figures were updated once later figures were available)