Thousands turn out for local No Kings rallies

Thousands from across the Hudson Valley joined the nationwide No Kings Day of Action this past Saturday to protest peacefully against what they see as authoritarian overreach on the part of President Trump’s administration.

Locally, demonstrations took place in the North Salem hamlet of Purdy’s, the village/town of Mount Kisco, and the Village of Brewster—the latter drawing an estimated 2,500 to 4,000 attendees in traditionally red Putnam County.

The Brewster turnout may have affected that at nearby Purdy’s (which drew 50 participants), while Mount Kisco had between 1,500 and 1,800, according to organizer Fred Silverman’s estimates.

“I talked to folks from all six towns [in Putnam County],” said Putnam County Democratic Party Chair Jennifer Colamonico of Mahopac, who was at the Brewster event with candidates running for local office, including Carmel supervisor challenger Jean Hopper, Town Board challenger Brett Wieland, and Lenny Harrington, who is running to represent parts of Mahopac in the Putnam County Legislature. “My guess is [Brewster attendees] were about 80% Putnam residents and some from northern Westchester.”

Brewster speakers included Emmy-nominated actress Carrie Coon, civic leader Ximena Francella, activist Michael Meeropol, Joe Mayhew of the Communication Workers of America, and New York Lt. Gov. Antonio Delgado.

Attendees told reporters they were compelled to show up because they felt that certain constitutional rights, such as freedom of speech, are currently at grave risk.

If they don’t speak up now, they might not be able to in the future, they said.

“I think people understand what is truly at stake with an unchecked executive who has no regard for the rule of law,” Colamonico said. “Unless you are in the cult or the fan club, I think many people are starting to see the damage that has already been done and understand the risk of letting this go on unchecked.”

Was Colamonico surprised by the size of the Brewster crowd?

“Very much so,” she admitted. “This is Putnam after all. And the vast majority of the crowd was Putnam—so heartwarming.”

Protesters held aloft homemade signs reading “Make America think again,” “We love America,” “Unpaid protester,” “Resist,” “The power of the people will always be stronger than the people in power,” and “If you’re not scared, you’re not paying attention.” Many carried American flags or flag-inspired signs.

As with other events across the country, many showed up in costume. While some observers questioned whether people in costume could be taken seriously, Ann Starer said they needed to be seen in context.

“The costume theme ... is a response to Donald Trump calling dissenters dangerous and other Republicans calling these protests ‘hate-America rallies,’” Starer said.

Speeches were made. Songs were sung. And while the occasional counter-protester rolled by the Westchester events with a large Trump flag on display or yelled something not so nice at demonstrators, there were no incidents.

“I think it’s taking a stand against an authoritarian takeover and against policies that destroy the fabric of life in America that we’ve come to take for granted,” said Starer of the organization Fight Lawler, texting from the scene. She added that she believed Delgado’s presence and Mayhew’s message about how “health care will be destroyed” resonated with the crowd.

Most of the reaction from spectators at the Westchester events appeared to be positive as well. There was supportive horn tooting, cheering, and the flashing of peace signs.

In Brewster, Colamonico said acting County Sheriff Brian Hess, a Republican running for that office against Democratic-backed independent Larry Burke, was on the sidelines observing, but there were no counterprotests.

“Police were great and helpful,” she added. “Both Brewster PD and the County Sheriff’s Department.”

In a Facebook post, the Putnam County Sheriff’s Office showed crowd pictures and noted that deputies “assisted the Village of Brewster Police Department to ensure the safety of everyone in attendance.”

The post added: “The Sheriff’s Office remains committed to supporting our community and maintaining a safe environment at all public events.”

Some Republicans have claimed that the protests are anti-American. But at all three local rallies, Old Glory was proudly displayed. In  Purdy’s, folks recited the Pledge of Allegiance with hands over hearts before singing “America the Beautiful.”

The country is here for all, they opined, chanting “No Kings” and “Immigrants are welcome here” as they walked downhill to Route 22.

In Mount Kisco, even pets got into the act. One of them sported a T-shirt reading “Dogs 4 Democracy.”

Mount Kisco resident and Village Trustee Tom Luzio, a lawyer, made a few short remarks about the First Amendment, Silverman said.

Dressed in a penguin suit, one 90-something speaker at the Mount Kisco event told the crowd that she remembered with horror what times were like in Nazi-occupied Germany during World War II.

“I know what happens when democracy dies,” she said.

Urging folks not to be afraid to speak out, she added: “We all have to put our bodies where our mouths are.”

Also there were Anna Canoni and her brother, Coal Quest, two grandchildren of the late American folksinger Woody Guthrie.

They read from Guthrie’s writings about freedom and led the crowd in singing his famous anthem, “This Land Is Your Land.”

Quest accompanied singer Carolyn DiLorenzo on guitar as she performed her tear-inducing version of “We Shall Overcome,” a gospel song heavily associated with the civil rights movement.

Silverman, who is in his 70s, noted the number of older folks who regularly attend the protests in Mount Kisco.

“We know where this is going and it’s not good,” he said. “We’re older—many of us are the children of parents who fought in World War II.”

In June, hundreds of people, many dressed in clown costumes and circus regalia, packed Kirby Plaza for a No Kings rally.

There have been weekly demonstrations on Kisco Avenue as well. Next week—because early voting is going to take place at the village library on Main Street—the protest will move to another location, perhaps near Leonard Park, according to organizers.

“We do this because we love our country. We value democracy and that’s what makes us go out there every week,” Silverman said. “We believe that we are more than our individual parts, and we hold the vision that we are a melting pot.”