A small band of sign-waving, flag-bearing protesters made their presence known along Veterans Drive on Saturday. Together, they formed the St. Thomas No Kings rally. In cities and towns across the United States, thousands of protesters took to the streets to criticize the policies of President Donald Trump and his administration.
It was a day with many meanings; Saturday, June 14, is also known as Flag Day – the day the Stars and Stripes were adopted as the official symbol of the United States of America in 1777. It was also Trump’s 79th birthday – the day he set aside to stage a military parade in Washington, D.C. to mark the 250th birthday of the U.S. Army.
Saturday was also set aside for the annual King of the Wing competition at Magens Bay. Longtime resident Rebecca Luscz reflected on the day, saying she was born in Findlay, Ohio, which took on the moniker of Flag City, USA in 1974. “They’re probably having a march today,” Luscz said.
The march itself was brief, starting at the Edwin Blyden Marine Terminal and ending at the Ron deLugo Federal Building with stops at the Legislature and across the road from Farrelly Justice Complex. There, the crowd of roughly 25 people stopped to chant “We, the people – for the people – by the people – eh!”
Hotelier Richard Doumeng was among the sign bearers. When asked why he felt compelled to take a walk on a Saturday morning, he said, “This is what we can do, and if you’re going to complain, then you need to participate whether it’s locally or nationally.”
Other marchers displayed a little off-color humor to show they could stroll and troll at the same time.
And as they headed for the last stop on the Saturday march, Amy Gurlea led the way with one local and one national flag waving in the breeze. She called herself a proud American, willing to stand up for the people those flags represent.
“I will stand for the people of the United States, but I will not stand for this president,” Gurlea said.
Other marchers added they were not against all kings – calypso kings and chicken wing kings were gladly acknowledged.
