Despite the threat of rain, more than 300 people, including many from surrounding towns, protested for democracy at the Harvard Common on Saturday, June 14, a day intentionally chosen by national organizers to coincide with the military parade in Washington to celebrate the Army’s 250th anniversary and President Donald Trump’s birthday.
State Sen. Jamie Eldridge (left) and state Rep. Dan Sena wave to passersby at the No Kings Protest, June 14. (Photos by Lisa Aciukewicz)
A protestor holds one of the many handmade signs at Saturday’s No Kings protest.
Flying an American flag upside down is traditionally a symbol of distress, signaling a situation of extreme danger or emergency.
Helping it become the largest nationwide single-day protest in American history, according to The Associated Press, demonstrators in towns around Massachusetts joined the millions of people across the country participating in the No Kings protest. Some towns such as Concord had more than 2,000 protesters.
“We’re protesting here instead of Boston today, because a couple more bodies in Harvard, our beloved town, makes a bigger impact for right now,” said Harvard resident Hilary Maglothin.
While Harvard’s demonstration may have been smaller in numbers than cities such as Boston, the people still made an impact by coming together and marching around the Common, chanting “No Kings,” using noisemakers and cowbells, and holding up signs calling for governmental changes such as impeaching Trump, protecting LGBTQ rights, and abolishing ICE.
Lindsay Hunt, one organizer of the No Kings protest in Harvard, said they decided to hold a local protest to build a community around their concerns with the current administration and to push for a more positive future. She said the organizers’ main concerns are losing human rights, freedoms, and democracy.
“We’re trying to get most of these quiet townspeople here to make a ruckus, within reason,” said Mario Cardenas, a fellow organizer.
On a national level, the No Kings protest was organized by the 50501 movement, a group of Americans who, according to their website, want to mobilize the people to protest and protect democracy. Their name comes from their slogan, 50 states, 50 protests, one movement.
Cardenas said the name “No Kings” is meant to reject what the movement sees as Trump’s king-like powers. He said Trump is dismantling the government and “ruling by fiat” rather than legislation.
While many of the cars passing by honked in support, Harvard resident Jan Fradenburgh said some objected, holding up their middle fingers as they drove past.
Many of the demonstrators objected to the deployment of the military in Los Angeles and to the ICE deportation efforts. One protestor’s sign humorously read “I prefer crushed ICE.”
Protestors hold many homemade signs.
State Sen. Jamie Eldridge said many people in immigrant communities are afraid to continue their day-to-day activities such as going to work, church, or even school. He said this will have an impact on local communities and the economy, as in Massachusetts about one in four residents are foreign born.
Eldridge said it is not just about undocumented immigrants, but also legal permanent residents. He said many U.S. citizens who came from another country are walking around with their passports and citizenship papers because they are afraid of being targeted based on how they look.
Christopher Malia, from Gardner, came to the protest wearing all black, including a ski mask to cover his tattoos. While he was born in the U.S., he is biracial and fearful of being a target, especially because of his many specific tattoos.
Attending as a private citizen, Eve Wittenberg, newly elected Select Board member and senior research scientist at Harvard’s School of Public Health, said the Trump administration is purposely creating fear and intimidation, specifically in reference to international students being targeted and denied student visas.
“Events like this help people feel a little bit more powerful and less afraid, because we’re all in it together,” Wittenberg said.
With the majority of the crowd being middle-aged or older, many were discussing what they are teaching their children and the world they are leaving behind for them.
Andy Lee, 83, said he was at the protest not only as an individual, but as the father of three daughters and the grandfather of six grandchildren. He said he felt a responsibility to his children to protest.
Another parent, Emily Wilde, said she brought her daughter to show her the importance of showing up and not feeling scared to express her beliefs.
Also with his children, Danillo Sena, state representative for the 37th Middlesex District, said the U.S. is at a critical and unprecedented point in its history. He said Americans have to protest and send a message that they are not happy with the status quo.
Maglothin stood with her family holding an American flag upside down in protest. She said as long as the U.S. continues to be in distress, she will continue to fly her flag upside down, including outside her house on the Fourth of July.
“This is not our country,” Maglothin said.
A photo taken by a drone shows the length of the crowd lining Ayer Road on June 14. (Photo by Robert Curran).
Marley Smith is a student intern at the Press. She attends Northwestern University.
