By James Kent
At 10 a.m. on Saturday, June 14 —the traditional Flag Day, the date of the U.S. Army 250th Anniversary Parade and the 79th birthday of Donald Trump — a long line formed at the counter of Jones’ Donuts on West St. Perhaps, too long a wait for Donuts at this time, and perhaps luck would be better served a little closer to Jones’ noon closing.
The line at Jones’ was no surprise, judging by the even longer line forming around the corner. At Gazeebo Park, on North Main Street and the corner of West, the line of protesters began and stretched along Route 4 several blocks, as far south as the Christ the King Church. Organizers of the No Kings rally in Rutland placed an official count of 1,500 people.
Citizens from all over the city and surrounding towns came out on Flag Day to show support for the U.S. Constitution, specifically the First Amendment, which guarantees the rights of free speech and lawful assembly. These rights, protesters said through a variety of clever slogans, are under attack by the current Federal administration.
While in Washington, D.C., on the same day, a display of the nation’s might took place celebrating the 250th anniversary of the U.S. military, which also coincided with the birthday of the current president. Never before in our nation’s history has the country seen a military parade of that magnitude, which experts estimate to have cost taxpayers between $25 and $45 million.
At a time when the message from the federal government is programs and services must be slashed, such a price tag for a military parade was sure to draw some ire.
A reported 6 million Americans thought so and took to their local towns and cities in protest of the current administration’s actions since Jan. 20 of this year.
In a movement dubbed “No Kings,” these citizens set out to serve a reminder that our government is supposed to be “Of the people, by the people,” and not at the directives and whims of one man.
In Rutland, the crowd’s mood was jovial. There was a sense of community and bonding over this act of civil liberty. Would the message be received? It’s unclear, but it may not have been the point. The morning’s protest appeared more symbolic in nature. Until someone deems it unlawful for citizens to carry out their fundamental First Amendment rights, there will be people who will rise to the occasion to exercise those rights.
Not everyone agreed on Saturday morning.
A male passenger of a passing car shouted out to those lining the street, “The election is over! The election is over!” That is an astute observation, and yes, elections do have consequences. However, the majority of cars passing along a busy Route 4 showed support through honks and waves.
The only signs of civil disobedience on display this morning were people jaywalking across the streets. Try as volunteers might, it seemed a lost cause keeping pedestrians from waiting until the walk sign before crossing over to join the end of the protest line.
Judging by the many colorful and inventive signs held by the people who showed up on Saturday, the prevalent message was that America doesn’t want a king. Call it New England understanding, but 249 years ago, this country declared itself a Democracy, not a Monarchy, and Vermonters set out to remind everyone that it would be a great idea if it stayed that way.
At 11:30 a.m., it was time to try Jones’ Donuts again. There were only a couple of people in line by this point. However, the supply of donuts was dwindling, and the choices were limited. A man was in the process of ordering a mega supply of donuts. If he was going for a baker’s dozen, it sure looked like he was bringing home enough donuts for a dozen or more bakers. It was as if this person had made it his mission to take every last donut on the shelf that his box would fit. Catching sight of the emblem on the side of this man’s shirt, the distinctive MAGA logo appeared. Amongst a sea of protesters, in which teachers, healthcare professionals, veterans, young and old, lined up in opposition to the man who would be king, this lone donut snarfer appeared to show them that he who grabs the most remaining donuts wins.
The man left the counter, clutching his dough-filled bounty, satisfied with his treasure. The front of his shirt bore the image of the commander in chief, as the AI-generated robot famously portrayed by Arnold Schwarzenegger, and the words, “The Trumpinator.” Was the connotation that the current president is an unstoppable force who will not cease until he’s destroyed everything in his path to achieve his goal? Unclear. Did that make the 1,500 lined up outside a whole bunch of John and Sarah Conners? Unclear. The only clear thing: So long as the levers of democracy still hold, some will not go quietly into that good night.
The other thing that was clear is that the donut variety was gone, but there were still enough donuts left to buy a few.
Inventive signs and costumes were on display throughout the crowd of 1,500 No Kings protestors gathered in Rutland on Saturday, June 14.
