A relatively small but enthusiastic group of protesters gathered near the intersection of Lake Oconee Parkway and Linger Longer Road on Flag Day, which coincidentally was also President Donald Trump’s birthday, to express their dissatisfaction with his policies, including recent immigration raids taking place in Los Angeles.
According to the Associated Press, the “No Kings” theme was orchestrated by the 50501 Movement, which stands for “50 states, 50 protests, one movement.”
Protests earlier this year denounced Trump and Elon Musk, the former leader of Trump’s Department of Government Efficiency, for what they believe are reckless cuts to federal spending programs.
“Protestors have called for Trump to be ‘dethroned’ as they compare his actions to those of a king and not a democratically elected president,” an AP report said.
Anne Koppelmann, a Del Webb resident who is no stranger to political rallies, said protestors came from as many as six counties to express their views despite rather warm afternoon temperatures.
“How many Republicans came out and protested during the four years of Biden? Nobody,” Koppelmann said.
A Greene County Sheriff’s Office deputy was on hand during the protest, which lasted from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., to ensure safety.
Koppelmann said more protests are likely in the coming months.
“Watch for more on our social media,” Koppelmann said. “We have a Nextdoor page, a Facebook page: ‘Democrats of Greene County, Georgia Lake Country.’ That’s good to keep up with what’s going on.”
In Greene County, protesters carried signs with a variety of messages, including: “ICE equals Gestapo,” “Laws Matter,” “Resist,” “No Kings Since 1977,” “Make America a Democracy Again,” “8647,” “Democracy Does Not Fear Protest,” “Honk If You Never Drunk Texted War Plans,” “Spray Tan/ Selfish Plan,” “Untrump the World” (alongside a drawing of Trump), “Impeach, Convict, Imprison – preferably in El Salvador,” and “When Injustice Becomes Law Resistance Becomes Duty.”
According to AP reports, nearly 2,000 protests were scheduled for locations around the country on Saturday.