Hundreds make their voice heard as part of national protest against Trump

With hundreds of marines deployed to Los Angeles as protestors continue to voice disdain for the administration’s stance on immigration, millions of Americans gathered in protest of President Trump, claiming his time in the oval office reflects that of an authoritarian king.

“We want to make sure that everyone knows we’re not standing for Trump’s fascist America,” said Bob Kelly of Wareham. “No kings, no fascists, we’re not going to take it.’

On Saturday, June 14, hundreds of people gathered in front of Wareham Town Hall waving homemade signs and American flags as part of the “No Kings” nationwide protests. The movement had millions of Americans across 1,500 cities protesting the administration’s stance on immigration, federal budget cuts and more.

“We’re upset with what’s happening in Washington and around our country,” said Kate Cooney of Marion. “This is a basic constitutional crisis and we’re being pushed over the brink.”

Standing with Kate Cooney was Dan Cooney who said one of the reasons he was protesting was to voice his disdain for the One Big Beautiful Bill Act.

“The big beautiful bill, quoting our friend Elon Musk, is an abomination,” Dan Cooney said. “It’s going to cut basic services for people that need to eat and have healthcare.”

The bill aims to “cement an America First agenda of prosperity, opportunity, and security into law” according to a White House press release but the bill adds a number of restrictions that will potentially reduce federal aid for low-income families such as cutting Medicaid. The bill recently made it through the house by one vote and is currently in front of the senate.

Many participants of the No Kings” protests were motivated by the president’s deployment of hundreds of marines to Los Angeles where protesters had gathered to express their displeasure with the actions of the Immigration Customs Enforcement Agency.

“I’m a former marine and I don’t like the fact that he’s sending marines in the streets of the United States,” said Jimmy Kelly of Brockton.

Kelly added seeing how the administration has handled immigration is another point of frustration for him.

“[Immigrants] are doing jobs Americans won’t do so why are we kicking them out,” he said. “It’s going to hurt the economy. It aggravates the hell out of me.”

Like Kelly, some of Saturday’s protesters said they felt aggravated by President Trump’s actions. Others said the current administration reminded them of past regimes they have protested against.

“I resisted in the 60’s against the war in Vietnam and I never thought I’d have to go through that again,” said one protestor who preferred to not be named. “I’m scared for my grandkids and I’m scared for the future generation that it’s not going to be the same country that I grew up in.”

Wareham resident David Donahue was one of the many protestors encouraging cars to honk in support of the protest and said President Trump is “everything that a president shouldn’t be.”

“He just can’t tell the truth,” Donahue said. “I think he’s just so full of hatred.”

Just down the street from the protest stood two people with signs and flags of their own in favor of President Trump. Both counter-protestors declined to comment.

Wareham’s “No Kings” protest was organized by the recently formed Wareham For Law and Democracy group, a citizen organization that formed to stand against President Trump. Member Candace Johansen said the group organizes weekly protests but Saturday’s was the biggest to date.

“We should have someone in power who’s going to take our democracy, listen to the people and work for the people,” Johansen said.