CHESAPEAKE, Va. (WAVY) — Multiple “No Kings” protests took place Saturday across the country, including Virginia and North Carolina.
The Associated Press shared the nationwide protest’s theme calls for Americans to stand up for what the participants deem to be “authoritarian actions” from the Trump administration.
10 On Your Side spoke with protestors at the Norfolk, Virginia Beach and Chesapeake rallies.
“We used to be able to cooperate to some degree with Republicans,” said a man at the Chesapeake protest. “But it’s just become impossible.”
A former law enforcement officer spoke with WAVY News in Chesapeake and shared similar sentiments.
“December 18th, 1980, I took an oath to become a police officer in Portsmouth. And I went with Virginia Beach after that,” said Anne Blanchard. “But I feel it’s my duty. I took an oath to serve and protect, and I feel like Trump is taking away our country. And I feel like I have to do something.”
Another protest took place in the Ghent section of Norfolk. That gathering was put together by the COVA Coalition.
“The ‘No Kings’ protests is a nationwide day of defiance. It’s being co-hosted by indivisible, and locally here it is being co-hosted by COVA Coalition and Indivisible,” said Carrie Short with COVA Coalition. “There are over 2000 protests scheduled for today.”
Demonstrators lined both sides of Virginia Beach Boulevard near the intersection with Independence at 2 p.m. Saturday. They chanted “No Kings” as drivers passing through Town Center blared their car horns in agreement.
“We need to do something,” said Gary Roberts, who sought shade from the heat beneath a tree at the corner of Market Street. “This is the first time in my life I ever went out and demonstrated like this.”
Marian Atterberry was nearby. “As a mother, as an American, as a woman I think it’s important for us to stand up,” she said.
Veterans were standing up against what they see as an abuse of the military, deployed on the streets of Southern California.
“That’s horrible,” Robert Thomas said. “I was in the Air force and I can’t imagine standing in front of citizens with a weapon.”
The No Kings movement says it’s committed to non-violence and non-destruction of property
“That’s absolutely huge, because our democracy is based upon what? The rule of law,” Roberts said.
They don’t like what they see as an imperial president. They chanted and thrust signs into the air as a counterpoint to the Army parade organized by the man they say is trying to rule their lives, estimated to cost taxpayers as much as $45 million.
“To appease somebody’s ego, that’s horrible,” Thomas said. “He’s our president? Sad.”
After tensions in Los Angeles following anti-ICE protests, there was some concern regarding the local ‘No Kings’ protests.
Youngkin went on to say that while he supports First Amendment rights to demonstrate, there is “zero tolerance for any violence, any destruction of personal property, business property, for disrupting traffic and putting people’s lives in danger.”
Governor Glenn Youngkin told our sister station in Richmond, WRIC, that he is planning on activating the National Guard ahead of the protests.
Short said these gatherings were on the books long before Los Angeles protests flared up.
“This protest, I can’t stress enough, these protests were scheduled weeks ago. They are not in a reaction to the Ice raids or the violence in L.A.,” Short explained.
“I will say there are a lot of false images and a lot of misinformation being spread and one of those is that the military is on standby for today’s actions. We’ve been in contact with the police. All three of our rallies today have permits and are working hand in hand with the police,” she said.