‘No Kings’ protest marches in Charles City

By Travis Fischer, tkfischer@charlescitypress.com

A crowd marched down Charles City’s Main Street on Saturday, June 14, joining a nationwide series of “No Kings” protests against President Donald Trump.

Rallying against what they said are the policies and practices of both the Trump administration and the Republican-dominated state government, roughly 100 people, along with a scattering of spectators, gathered at Central Park to share their grievances.

The protest was locally organized by India May, who said she was surprised at the turnout. While afternoon protests in the state’s population centers drew crowds of hundreds or thousands, May said she expected only about 20 people to attend such a rally in Charles City rather than the 100 or so who showed up.

“It went way better than I thought,” said May. “It was a good problem to have.”

May inadvertently sparked national headlines last month when her outburst during a Parkersburg town hall with Sen. Joni Ernst prompted Ernst’s now infamous “We are all going to die,” response.

She has since announced that she will be running for the Iowa House of Representatives District 58 seat against incumbent Republican Charley Thomson and spoke to rally support for her campaign and encouraged others to challenge Republican office holders at all levels.

“Every person here is a patriot. The people here today still believe in hard work, straight talk and liberty and justice for all,” said May. “We need rock stars like this group in every seat from school board to Senate.”

Political activists Carrie Larson and Ariel Vandeventer also spoke at the rally, decrying what they called the erosion of political norms and minority protections that have happened in recent years.

Watching the gathering from his porch across the street from Central Park, state Rep. Charlie Thomson, R-Charles City, couldn’t hear the specific grievances directed at him and his party, but said he appreciated the display of political activism.

“It seems like a beautiful day to gather in the park,” said Thomson. “I suspect I disagree with many of the political positions of the attendees, but we live in a country where people can have differences of opinion publicly.”

After the speeches, the protesters walked with signs in hand down Main Street from the park to the bridge and back again, drawing both affirming honks and dissenting jeers from passing drivers as they went.

Rally attendee Jesse Brauning said he was surprised at both the size of the turnout and the supporting honks. Brauning didn’t know what to expect from the rally, but decided to attend to see how it would go and lend his support.

“I want to see change,” he said.

From the gathering at the park to the lap through downtown, the protest wrapped up without incident after about an hour, leaving volunteers to gather signs, collect signatures for political races and pack up food items donated to the food pantry.

For May, the demonstration was an encouraging start for her upcoming campaign.

“I feel inspired,” said May. “I’ve had a long day and I’m tired, but now I’m inspired to do more.”