Protesters gather in Mount Kisco for 'No Kings' demonstration

MOUNT KISCO, N.Y. - Taking part in a nationwide “Day of Defiance,” more than 1,000 people gathered peacefully in Mount Kisco on Saturday to decry what they called the Trump administration’s “authoritarian” ways.

One of their latest worries was the president’s decision to deploy the National Guard and military in response to protests over immigration policies.

They came at the behest of progressive organizations from around the lower Hudson Valley region such as Indivisible Westchester to join – in spirit -- millions of others for “No Kings” protests across the country.

The demonstrations were sparked by the massive military parade in Washington, D.C. celebrating the U.S. Army’s 250th anniversary. June 14 happened to be Trump’s 79th birthday.

It was also Flag Day, the anniversary of the adoption of the Stars and Stripes as the official U.S. flag in 1777.

In a statement issued on its website, www.nokings.org, the national coalition declared it was taking action to “show the world what democracy really looks like.”

“The flag doesn’t belong to President Trump. It belongs to us. We’re not watching history happen. We’re making it,” it added.

Old Glory and handmade anti-Trump signs were both in abundance at the event held near the train station.

Farther up West Main Street on a private home’s lawn, a large American flag was displayed upside down – a signal that the nation is in a state of distress or emergency.

There didn’t appear to be any counter-demonstrations and apparent pro-rally honking could be heard from passing cars.

“No kings! No clowns! Let’s run these fascists out of town!” protesters chanted. Many in the crowd were decked out in circus costumes and regal regalia such as capes and paper crowns.

There were also carnival attractions such as a “Topple the Tyrants” booth, balloon animal making, face painting, a “golden toilet” on which to ironically perch for a photo, and a life-sized “puppet” depicting U.S. Rep. Mike Lawler, who represents the 17th District.

(The Republican congressman has drawn the ire of many constituents for his vote on the House’s reconciliation legislation, aka the “Big Beautiful Bill Act.”)

Among the speakers that overcast morning were state Sen. Pete Harckham, county Legislator Erika L. Pierce, and actor Carrie Coon. Presiding over the program were organizers Emily Simoness, Alan Levy, and Samantha Banerjee. Leading the crowd in singing “This Land is Your Land,” “Blowin’ in the Wind,” and “America the Beautiful” was vocalist Shira Small-Cangialosi, backed up by musicians Ike Sturm and Jonathan Maron.

The festive atmosphere turned instantly somber after Pierce, having just received a horrifying text on her cellphone, announced that a leading Democrat in Minnesota – state Rep. Melissa Hortman and her husband, Mark, had been shot dead at their Brooklyn Park home by someone posing as a police officer.

She was joined at the mic by an equally shaken Harckham.

Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, Democratic nominee for vice president in the 2024 elections, called it an “politically motivated assassination.”

The same suspect – identified by authorities as 57-year-old Vance Boelter – was wanted in the wounding of Democratic state Sen. John Hoffman and his wife, Yvette.

(The Hoffmans were reported to be in stable condition Sunday.)

Police said they had found a list of dozens of other potential targets among the suspect’s possessions. As of this writing, Boelter was still at large.

Exclamations of shock and anger were heard among the crowd, many of whom were visibly crying as a moment of silence was held.

Later, after things had wrapped up, Halston Media asked one demonstrator why she had come.

“I’m an Army brat,” explained Mount Kisco resident Jody Sherman. “I was raised on a steady diet of duty, county, honor, and allegiance to the flag and commitment to the country’s order and rule of law. Those matter to me still and I want to see them restored.”