A plethora of Mercer Islanders stood strong and voiced their opinions during a No Kings rally on June 14 at the corner of Southeast 32nd Street and 78th Avenue Southeast.

As drivers rolled by the area in front of Mercerdale Park, the majority of them honked in favor of the messages the Islanders were putting forth as about 50 of them stood on the sidewalk and waved their signs and shouted words of appreciation and “woo-hoos!” to those in their vehicles.

Rebecca Harless, who held two paper plates emblazoned with the words No Kings, said there were a few thumbs down from drivers, but that didn’t stop the spirited throng from giving it their all during the gathering. It was nice to be out protesting with everybody, she added.

“I really like our Constitution and I feel like our constitutional rights are really important. I really appreciate our community, and I think that in communities all over America, ICE is breaking them apart. It’s being authorized by the president who definitely has things he’s done that make him seem like a dictator or a king, and that’s not OK, because lots of history should not repeat itself,” Harless said.

Rallies were scheduled across King County and the nation on June 14 in response to the federal government’s policies and as well as its recent handling of protests in Los Angeles. An organization called No Kings mobilized the demonstrations to coincide with President Donald Trump’s scheduled military parade in Washington, D.C. Its website at nokings.org allowed users to search for a demonstration near their zip code.

Other signs held up by MI protesters included the messages Uphold the Constitution, Stop Breaking the Law, Honk for Love, Impeach Trump, Protect Our Immigrant Families and more.

While holding a Our United States Democracy Forever sign high, one resident (who chose not to be identified), said: “My concerns are everything that the Republican administration is pushing through without challenge almost in the government and the fear that we could change from being the democracy that we have been for the last 250 years. I can’t stand thinking about that. I want our country to remain free. I want all people to be accepted in this country, no matter what their preferences are.”

MI rally host Saralee Kane contacted the No Kings organization site, applied to hold the gathering and received permission to move forward and register an allowed amount of 50 attendees.

“This is No Kings. This is against the Trump administration,” said Kane, noting that she’s concerned about the future for people’s children and grandchildren, nieces and nephews, brothers and sisters and the planet.

Husband and wife Don and Laurin (they asked for their last names to be withheld) were glad to join their fellow community members at a local rally and receive support from those driving by the event.

“Our constitutional rights are being diminished with the current administration and that’s what we really care about,” Laurin said.

Added Don: “This is an important time in our history. The people that really have lived and fought for the country for 200-plus years, we need to support those people, our ancestors and everybody that built the country as it is and went through difficult times like this.”

After Don finished that comment, a few more honks filled the air.

A resident shows appreciation for a driver’s honk at the No Kings rally on Mercer Island. Andy Nystrom/ staff photo

Rebecca Harless attends the No Kings rally on Mercer Island. Andy Nystrom/ staff photo

Mercer Island No Kings rally attendees display their signs along 78th Avenue Southeast in front of Mercerdale Park. Andy Nystrom/ staff photo