More than 1,250 people gathered in Edwardsville City Park in one of many No Kings Days demonstrations happening nationwide Oct. 18
From noon to 1 p.m., people wrapped around the perimeter of the park holding signs, speaking their minds and even wearing costumes in protest of President Donald Trump and his administration.
The rally wasn’t the first demonstration, but it was the largest to date, and protesters came holding handmade signs with a variety of messages from “Elect a clown, expect a circus” to “The only good ICE is at Sonic.”
Some attendees chose to express their opinions on the president in a more vocal way.
“[I’m here for] the fight for democracy and to tell Trump to (obscenity) off,” Barbara Avum said.
Although some signs and voices were more profane than others, protesters had the unifying belief that Trump and his administration are authoritarian and harmful to the American people.
“Let’s be perfectly clear, our country is on fire,” William Dilges said. “We need to stop all the polarization, and we need to save everything … There is absolutely no reason we cannot have shelter, food, work, care and education for everyone in our country, whether you are an American born here, or came here from elsewhere. The folks that are in charge of the country right now, they don’t want that.”
Others said they felt personally threatened by Trump’s policies.
“The reason why I’m here is … I’m a minority,” Apollo Dilges said. “I’m transgender. My healthcare is in jeopardy. I’m diabetic, so being able to afford my insulin is in danger. My community is in danger. Everything that I stand for is in danger.”
Like at other demonstrations around the country, some protesters showed up in cartoonish inflatable animal costumes to ease tension, the same reason protesters in Portland, Oregon started the costume trend.
“They say we’re dangerous and scary, so we’re here to show that we’re not,” Rachel Kosher, who was dressed as a hippo, said.
Other protests were organized in cities and towns around the country Oct. 18 as well. According to No Kings Day organizers, demonstrations were held at 2,700 locations, and seven million people participated.
The Oct. 18 day of protest is the second-largest single day of protesting in U.S. history, a title previously held by the No Kings Day demonstrations in June, which had five million participants.
Despite the rain and thunder, the Oct. 18 rally was the largest in Edwardsville since the No Kings Day movement started.
The first No Kings Day protest in town was Feb. 4, when Andi Smith showed up to the Edwardsville Public Library with a desire to speak out, but the movement grew and demonstrations have been held every Friday since.
“After the election and President Trump taking office, I was really horrified by how he allowed Elon Musk to start shuttering down different government agencies,” Smith said. “That was the initial impetus to come out. I was out here by myself, holding a sign, and another person walking her dog joined me, and the rest is history.”