On Saturday Mar. 28, thousands of people holding prominent signs lined the streets of St. Louis, MO. Many St. Louisans even stood proudly on overpasses around the city, as they participated in the planned “No Kings” protest, joining one another to proclaim their disapproval of the Trump administration and its disruption to the United States government.
The participants of the St. Louis protest were accompanied by millions of protesters in cities across the country. The name of the organization mobilizing this movement, “No Kings” is meant to represent the insecurity in the United States’ ability to remain a democracy. Many people fear that the administration will undermine the very values that built the country.
One of the major catalysts for this protest was the Trump administration’s Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) policies. ICE officer invasions escalated across New York, Chicago, Los Angeles and many other big cities. These events caused commotion in the states, disrupting everyday life, delaying school attendance and instilling fear within many citizens’ hearts.
“I feel like the No Kings protests are effective to an extent. I think it was a great way to foster solidarity and unity amongst people across the nation, including St. Louis. I know I, for one, like seeing people get out there and use their voices! But I do think the protests have minimal actual impact when it comes to actual legislation or political change occuring.” Queen Kalenga-Lubeya, West senior said.
To many, these ICE invasions felt like a violation of rights, and indignation spread against the dismissal of constitutionally granted civil liberties.
A month prior to the “No Kings” protest, Hazelwood West even had its very own walkout to peacefully protest against the ICE policies. While this action was meant to elicit a community led change, some felt that a larger and more aggressive platform like the “No Kings” organization was definitely needed.
“The walk out was not impactful enough because the protest was held in the school’s football field, which had less exposure, and I feel like that made it harder for the protests’ point to get across.” Ghena Motan, a west junior said.
Subsequently, ICE critics all over the country continued to fight against the president’s agenda. These anti-administration protests and rallies gained even more traction after two U.S. citizens died, allegedly, at the hands of ICE agents.
“Organizers picked Minnesota as the flagship No Kings protest following the Trump administration’s sweeping immigration crackdown here. For months, federal agents repeatedly clashed with residents, made thousands of arrests and killed two U.S. citizens.” PBS reporter, Judy Woodroof, said.
Many Americans were enraged by these deaths, especially given the prior discontent directed towards Trump’s immigration policies. This further cemented American’s distrust in the country’s justice system, and mobilized the creation of an organization with a bigger and louder platform to strengthen protests.
“I think that the people who came out to protest are very brave, because they used their constitutional rights to speak against a tyrannical administration that is actively infringing on their human rights.” Etinosa Egharevba, West junior said.
The extreme wedge issue of immigration has caused uproar in the country and divides the American people in two, forcing most to either choose a side, or be marked as enabler for the other side’s influence. While some democrat protesters argue that ICE raids create an environment of indignity and hostility, while republican officials on the other hand, claim that this is the best possible way to protect the country.
“ICE is dedicated to detecting and dismantling transnational criminal networks that target the American people and threaten our industries, organizations and financial systems.” The official US Immigration and Customs Enforcement website said.
All-in-all, this protest goes to show that no matter how much the markings of the constitution may seem to slip, the American people will use their first amendment rights to speak out and fight for what they believe is just and fair, no matter what side they are fighting for.
