Organizers Preview Upcoming 'No Kings' Rallies
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| Wendy Penner, of Greylock Together with a T. Rex. |
PITTSFIELD, Mass.— Almost ten "No Kings" rallies will take place around Berkshire County on Saturday to oppose actions taken by the Trump Administration.
On Wednesday, organizers gathered in front of the Silvio O. Conte Federal Building to discuss why they will be protesting. Community members said they were concerned about Immigration and Customs Enforcement's deployment into cities, threats to health insurance and education, and preserving the nation's civil rights, among other issues.
"We are working to push back against the harms of the MAGA movement and this administration," said Wendy Penner, of Greylock Together.
"The No Kings Coalition is working with the No Kings movement on events across the county. Over 2,500 events are planned nationwide and across the globe. This mass mobilization is to emphasize the moving threat of authoritarianism playing out in communities across the country, and right here in Berkshire County, we're taking to the streets for another nationwide day of protests to let Trump know that our peaceful movement to oppose his authoritarian regime is getting bigger and stronger and isn't going away."
From 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Oct. 18, there will be events in Lee, Stockbridge, Bennington, Vt., Great Barrington, Adams, West Stockbridge, North Adams, Dalton, and Pittsfield.
"I am really, really proud of the way in this movement, we come together to take care of each other, to take care of our neighbors," said Jessica Dils, of Greylock Together.
"As a movement, we are committed to taking care of our communities in these local areas during the most extremely difficult times with the cuts to health care, the rising costs, the assaults on our most vulnerable neighbors. This requires all of us to be more vigilant and to build trusted relationships with the people being most impacted. An important part of the work is showing up for each other."
The No Kings events in Pittsfield and North Adams are asking participants to bring non-perishable food donations for local pantries, including pet food.
Eileen Gloster, an organizer with I Lean For Justice, said the people's resistance is an opportunity to come together as a community.
"Not only to express our very deep concerns about this administration, but also to express the joy and the beauty of our shared community," she continued.
"Through all the arts, music, comedy, poetry, sometimes some very creative signs, and apparently, costumes, we're able to point out, yes, the failures of our current administration, but also share our positive, inclusive, respectful, and lawful vision of this country."
From noon to 2 p.m. protesters will gather at North Adams City Hall.
Robin O'Herin, of StandUp Berkshires!, estimated that the Pittsfield rally held earlier this year drew at least 5,000 people to The Common.
"Safety has been a real issue. Things are getting very heated and scary in our country," she said, explaining that the event will have a safety marshal team and police liaison.
From 2:30 p.m. to 5 p.m., there will be speeches, music, and informational tabling.
O'Herin distributed fliers that outline protesters' constitutional rights, such as those for peaceful assembly, not to be detained without a valid reason, to refuse searches, and to remain silent.
"Our rally in Pittsfield on Saturday is going to be the safest, most joyous event that you have ever experienced. It's going to be pure fun," she said.
Anita Schwerner, of the Stockbridge Democrats, said they will rally at the town's offices from 10 a.m. to 11:30 p.m. "because we're concerned about what's going on, the local impact and the attacks on our rights."
"A young mother, the wife of a prominent physician in our community, was unable to get COVID boosters for her young boys. Families who might be targeted by ICE are frightened of leaving their homes. Parents are keeping their children home from school. The violence and scare tactics used by ICE are un-American and inhumane," she said.
"Food pantries are overwhelmed with escalating need, having to pivot to delivery because of the valid fear from our immigrant neighbors of being surveilled in public spaces."
Youth advocate Shirley Edgerton addressed young people, explaining, "We need you, and we fight for you," because they are our future.
"Let us just imagine what is going on now: The systematic demise of the educational system, starting with Head Start. What barriers and challenges are we putting in place for our future leaders? Too many. Too many challenges, too many barriers, and hell no," she said.
"K through 12. What compromises are we creating for our students? The demise of special education. Where's the equity there? Higher education. We are putting our young people on a trajectory where they will not be able to realize their greatness. This we cannot stand for."
Holly Morse, of Left Field in Great Barrington, said at the last No Kings rally in June, millions peacefully took to the streets for one of the largest protests in U.S. history to declare, with one voice, ‘We live in a constitutional democracy, not a monarchy.'
"But President Trump didn't get the message. Since then, he has doubled down on his authoritarian agenda, turning federal law enforcement and the military loose in American cities with masked agents to terrorize communities, taking away health care and workers' rights from millions, defunding public schools, dismantling public health, attacking our freedom to vote, and defying Congress and courts at every turn," Morse said.
"And now, Trump and his GOP allies would rather see the human cost of the government shutdown escalate rather than negotiate with Democrats for lower health care costs for working families. Meanwhile, his disastrous trade policies are doing the opposite of what he promised, raising costs for millions of Americans who struggle to make ends meet. So we're taking to the streets for another nationwide day of protest to let Trump know that there are millions of us in our grassroots movement to protect our democracy and our rights," Jonathan Perloe, of the South County Resistance, added.
- Adams: 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., Town Common
- Bennington, Vt.: 10:30 to noon, Vermont State Office Building
- Dalton: 1 to 2 p.m., Dalton CRA sidewalk
- Lee: 9 to 11 a.m. at the library
- North Adams: noon to 2, City Hall
- Pittsfield: 2:30 to 5 p.m., the Common
- Stockbridge: 10 to 11:30 a.m., town offices
- West Stockbridge: noon to 1:30, Village Congregational Church
