By: Nicole Formisano, Michael Malaszczyk, Ashna Balroop, Grace Bonamico, Benjamin Stephens, Emily Perez
Longislandpress.com
In a dozen protests in Long Island, a war cry resonated among thousands of people: «No Kings! No Crowns! No fascism! ” (“Without kings! Without crowns! Without fascism!”).
The manifestations “without kings” in the counties of Nassau and Suffolk in protest against President Donald Trump were part of a wave of demonstrations that toured the country on June 14.
The protests attendees, from Orient Point to Port Washington, expressed their firm opposition to immigrants by federal agents, which, according to protesters, represents a growing authoritarianism, political corruption and embezzlement of public funds.
The protests coincided with Flag Day (Flag Day) – which coincides with Trump’s 79th birthday – for which the president organized a military parade of 40 million dollars.
“The current head is a military service deserter, I have no doubt about it, and that’s why I am here,” said Matt Cody, whose father fought on the beach of Omaha on day D during World War II.
Trump’s parade is a “complete tax waste,” he added. «Cuts are being implemented in this government that affect those who receive Medicaid. I know people who receive Medicaid. I know people who are suffering. So this is a complete waste of money ».
March in Mineola
Cody was among the almost 3000 people who participated in the demonstration “No Kings” in Mineola, during which the protesters marched from the Nassau County Court to the Legislature building.
At the same time, another 11 demonstrations were carried out in Long Island, including Huntington, Patchogue, Port Jefferson, the Hamptons and North Fork.
It is estimated that 10,000 people took to the streets throughout the region despite the rainy climate, while, according to the organizers, millions gathered in the protests of “no Kings” throughout the United States.
The opposition to the growing activity of ICE throughout the country – including Long Island, where recently a 23 -year -old man from Brentwood was allegedly unfairly stopped by ICE; The owner of a Bagels store in Port Washington was arrested when he arrived at work; And the ICE agents toured Glen Cove in persecution of 4 people – was the center of attention in the manifestations of “no kings.”
«My wife didn’t want me to come. I was afraid because I don’t look American, I don’t look white, ”said David, who asked to be identified only by his first name. «People might think that I am from Mexico, but I am not from Mexico. People might think that I am from Central America, but I am not from Central America. But these raids are addressed to people who resemble me ».
David emigrated from Peru 32 years ago to escape the guerrillas that terrified his home and murdered those who refused to obey. Finally he managed to obtain citizenship and has built a safer life in Long Island.
David’s wife forced him to take his passport and documentation to the manifestation of “no Kings” in case he had to demonstrate his citizenship. But the risk of being racially discriminated against or detained by the police was not enough to stop him; He needed to fight for the future of his 24 -year -old son, who recently graduated from the university.
“I want to show my support for such young people,” David said. «First generation Americans. There is this dream in the United States: if you can achieve it, you can fight for it and you are able to describe your goals, then you can be someone. And you can do something for others ».
David said he gave chills see people from all colors to join for a cause. The crowd was also composed of people of all ages, from older people to young children.
Declan Borzell, 10 years old, attended the demonstration of “no Kings” with his family. It was his first protest. “It’s very patriotic and fun,” he said. “I feel very good when expressing my feelings about Trump and the bad things he is doing.”
“We believe it is very important to learn about what our country is based,” said Declan’s father Paul Borzell. «He has a very clear idea of what is right and what is wrong, and has a very clear idea of what democracy is. So we simply wanted to show him what he was like, at the local level.
Demonstration in Port Jefferson
It is estimated that about 1000 people demonstrated in the rain near the Nesconset highway in Port Jefferson Station.
“What I ask everyone today and from now on is that they have those difficult conversations,” said Skyler Johnson, president of the young Democrats of Suffolk County (Suffolk County Young Democrats), in the protest at Port Jefferson Station.
«When I say that this must come to light, I mean that it must be brought to light. This means that when someone says that ‘immigrants have no right to due process’, make sure they are corrected, because if a person is not entitled to due process, none of us have it. What I say is that they do not sacrifice the LGBTQ community, or the trans community, to appease a dictator ».
Others talked about the need to address more than the actions of the White House.
“I want to be very clear: today is a non Kings Day (day without kings), but in the end, it is not Donald Trump,” said Shoshanna Hershkowitz in Port Jefferson Station. «He did not start with him or end with him, because racism, xenophobia and economic inequality led us to this situation. It started before Trump. He is a symptom.
Complaints in Huntington
The vice governor of the state of New York, Antonio Delgado, went to the crowd of about 1000 people in Huntington with a message that emphasized love over hatred and mutual solidarity, while drivers touched the horn as a sign of support in the Main Street.
“Do not allow the cruelty of this country to make them surrender,” said Delgado. “What really matters is respect, love and mutual love.”
The protesters in Huntington chanted messages such as “Hey-Hey-Ho-ho, Donald Trump Has Got To Go!” (“Hey-there-ho-ho, Donald Trump has to leave!”
Gilda Axelrod, a 62 -year -old social worker in Commack, affirmed the importance that those who care about the country’s state exercise their right, covered by the first amendment, to meet peacefully to express their complaints before the Administration.
“They are starting people from their homes, their works, and sending to unknown places in the world,” he said. “All our rights are being eroded, and it is important that we pronounce us about it.”
In turn, the retired judge of the Family Court, Nicolette Pach, 77 years old and resident of Huntington, expressed concern about Medicaid cuts that affect her disabled granddaughter and extrajudicial deportations.
“People are disappearing without due process,” said the exjudue. «No one’s rights are respected. It is incredible that we live in times like this, where we can treat people as they have treated them ».
Gail Nee, a 70 -year -old practitioner, concerned with the erosion of women’s reproductive rights under the current administration, said they are seeing more people going out to protest.
“This is the second protest I attended since the presidency assumed for the second time, and each participation has been greater than the previous one,” said Nee. «I think we must constantly remind people that we cannot remain silent. We have to defend what we believe correct … ».
Protest in Patchogue
It is estimated that another 2000 people attended the manifestation of “no Kings” in Patchogue, where some expressed concern about violence and others for LGBTQ+rights.
“I’ve already had enough, sincerely,” said Jenny McCloskey, behavioral consultant who manifested himself in the rain. «I have relatives, especially in the LGBTQ community, and I feel that it is very important to defend their rights. I see how the world of my relatives becomes smaller, and it is not right ».
Others who spoke with Longislandpress.com In the Patchogue demonstration they refused to give their names for fear of increasing tension.
“Last night we just received shots from two representatives, and this government will envive violence,” said a protester, referring to the murder of a Minnesota Democratic legislator and her husband. «While at the same time, it is said that what we are doing here and is now violent. I don’t see anyone here being violent. Nobody”.
Although the disturbances became violent in other parts of the country, some protesters remained cautiously optimistic that the protests would open the minds of some people.
“It gives hope to see that everyone still has common sense here, especially in Long Island, where most are republican,” said another anonymous protester. “Hopefully people are analyzing the situation and realize what is really happening in the United States.”
Protest at the East End
More than 1000 people demonstrated in Riverhead, about 500 took to the streets of Sag Harbor and 250 marched along the street of the billionaires (Billionaire’s Row) in Southampton as part of the protests of “No Kings.”
“There is more money in this area of the country than in whole countries in the world,” said Rachel Hu, one of the organizers of Billionaire’s Row march. People want their message to be heard by those who are directly responsible for the challenges we face in our lives ».
The protesters also made pickets in Orient Point, East Hampton and Hampton Bays.
And among the problems raised in SAG Harbor were the cuts to the financing of scientific research.
“I am here for what the Trump administration is doing to undermine science,” said an anonymous protester. «Trump is removing funds to science, scientists who work to prevent us or cure us; If there is another epidemic, all that money will be lost … what the administration is doing in terms of vaccination, undermining science, will also lead to the death of the United States ».
A group of politicians from everywhere intervened at the Riverhead rally, including American representative Dan Goldman (Democrat by Brooklyn).
“The United States is a democracy, not a monarchy, no matter how much the current White House tenant wishes otherwise,” he said.
«Donald Trump works methodically and firmly to undermine the rule of law, dismantle our democracy, terrorize immigrants, eliminate all forms of accountability and abuse the power of the presidency for his political and personal benefit. This weekend, Americans from all over the country rise to say enough and remind the country that our government belongs to the people, not to a man who aspires to be king ».
At the end of the demonstration
Long after the protest “no Kings” finished officially, a man was still standing next to Old Country Road, in Mineola, holding the US flag as high as he could. He emigrated from Bangladesh at age 16 and then served for years in the US army.
“As long as we have them, we have to exercise our rights,” he said. “If we don’t exercise them, they crumble … We have to leave and let everyone know what it means to us,” he continued with the broken voice. “What the United States means for us.”
