by Tracy McCormick-Dishman
Fernandina Beach residents gathered Saturday morning at the intersection of Eighth and Lime streets to participate in a nationwide day of protests against what organizers describe as authoritarian policies of the Trump administration.
The local rally was one of more than 2,500 “No Kings” demonstrations held across the United States on Oct. 18, including over 80 events in Florida and at least a dozen in Northeast Florida and Southeast Georgia, according to national organizers.
“A bright and sunny Saturday morning brought a large crowd of young and old alike out to the intersection of Eighth and Lime streets in Fernandina Beach,” said Linda Hart Green, who attended the event. “Rally goers lined the curbs with clever signs, inflatable suits, bubbles, big smiles and waving American flags.”
The event was organized by Mike and Gayle Kersten of Unified-Nassau and their steering committee. According to Green, “the organizers were thrilled with the attendance.”
Green said the response from passing motorists was largely supportive. “Horns honked in support with even some truckers joined in the honking,” she said. “Only a few naysayers drove by with thumbs down. One loud motorcyclist tried to drown the saying of the Pledge of Allegiance.”
The rally took place at the Eighth and Lime streets location because a car show was happening on Centre Street downtown.
UNIFIED-Nassau is affiliated with the Indivisible organization, which describes itself as nonpartisan and pro-democracy, according to the Florida Phoenix.
Regional participation
In Jacksonville, thousands of people marched from Friendship Fountain to the Duval County Courthouse on Saturday afternoon, where speakers addressed the crowd, News4JAX reported. Additional demonstrations were held at the Jacksonville Public Library Beaches Branch and at the corner of Blanding Boulevard and Kingsley Avenue in Orange Park.
In St. Augustine, people gathered in front of the Castillo de San Marcos and on South Castillo Drive Saturday morning to participate in the protests, according to News4JAX.
“I feel like our country has gotten so divided. And there are people who need to come together,” Lisa Thuro, a St. Johns County resident who participated in the St. Augustine rally, told News4JAX.
The protests were largely peaceful nationwide, according to NPR. Police in New York City and Washington, D.C., where rallies drew some of the day’s biggest crowds, said no protest-related arrests were made.
Background
The Oct. 18 protests were the second “No Kings Day” demonstrations organized this year. The first took place on June 14, coinciding with President Trump’s 79th birthday and the U.S. Army 250th Anniversary Parade, according to Wikipedia’s documentation of the protests.
Organizers said approximately 2,600 protests were planned across the U.S. on Saturday, with demonstrators stating their aim was to safeguard the country’s democratic values, NPR reported.
The protests have drawn criticism from some Republican leaders. House Speaker Mike Johnson called Saturday’s protests a “hate America rally,” according to NPR, while protest organizers maintain they are exercising their First Amendment rights.
tdishman@nassaunewsline.net
