Communities join a nationwide day of defiance, showcasing true democracy

Organizers estimated that around 400 passionate individuals gathered for the “no kings” protest in the former New Paltz firehouse on the morning of June 14. In the City of Kingston, thousands gathered later in the day at Academy Green Park. The action, one of more than a thousand held this Flag Day, was scheduled to coincide with a massive military march being held in the nation’s capital. A poll conducted through the groups Data for Progress and Common Defense in April showed that a majority of military veterans oppose this parade of armed forces — across party lines — on what is also the president’s birthday. Those on active duty typically do not express political opinions publicly. Similar protests took place in Woodstock and Gardiner.

The New Paltz event, organized through Indivisible New Paltz, included live music provided by the activist band Tin Horn Uprising, as well as hot beverages and a variety of breakfast foods. Many American flags were on display, some upside-down to indicate distress, and one appended to a sign that read, “It’s everybody’s flag.” Many other signs were also present, and those in attendance were invited to march themselves up to Main Street after the gathering to display them more fully. They included messages like, “make lying wrong again,” “only you can prevent fascism,” “no faux king way,” “we are not ok,” and the blunter ones like, “mein Trumpf” and “Trump is a jerk.” 

Driving home the “no kings” theme, which is based on the belief that the current president is seeking to consolidate power in the executive branch and rule by fiat rather than law, was a craft table with cardboard crowns and materials for decorating same. 

Overall, the speakers were fired up and the crowd was ready to respond. Limina Grace Harmon, county legislator, led a call-and-response chant to rally attendees into supporting a plan to take back the country by leveraging the capital and talent in politically left-leaning states. 

Jen Metzger, the county’s executive, said that “no one can stand on the sidelines” in what is being characterized as another war against tyranny. “In Ulster County we will take no part in an authoritarian system. Get out in the streets and protest.” Metzger also said that the “citizens are the highest office.” 

Using a human volume translator in the face of a spotty sound system, New Paltz’s supervisor, Amanda Gotto, described being “shocked, alarmed, outraged and angry” about what’s been happening in the country. 

Michelle Hinchey decried the mongering of fear against various minority groups as a way to divide, and as a deliberate attempt to chill dissent. “We will not be quiet in this moment, watching the very fabric of our country unravel,” declared the state senator. Hinchey encouraged calls to the seven Republican congressional members representing New York, even by those outside their districts, “because they represent New York.” In Albany, Hinchey said, “We will never cower in fear” in the face of pressure from federal officials. 

Mayor Tim Rogers said that the words of officials like Metzger, Gotto and Hinchey “make me feel optimistic.” A movement needs three-and-a-half percent of the population to become effective, Rogers said, and in New Paltz that is just 500 people — not many more than the number gathered at that very event. Rogers noted that elected officials are “only patriotic if we are taking care of everyone,” not just one’s friends and those who act and like similarly to ourselves. The mayor framed patriotism in terms of the flag, saying that American rights include the right to choose whether to stand and pledge it as Rogers does, or to remain seated. “Liberty and justice for all is an absolute must, but it’s also aspirational — we’re not getting it right” all the time, and it’s important to acknowledge that journey, and to teach children that mistakes can be made and also corrected. 

While President Trump promised a forceful response to any protests held during the celebrations in the district of Columbia, no troops were sent to New Paltz, Kingston, Woodstock or Gardiner to quell this local uprising.