MONTICELLO, NY – Hundreds of people lined Broadway in Monticello for the No Kings rally on Saturday. Other rallies took place in Ellenville, Warwick, Middletown, Honesdale, and Kingston this past weekend as part of nationwide protests pushing back against President Donald Trump.
Callicoon resident Charlie Trowbridge said his reason for showing up was simple.
“I just want to stand up for our democracy. I think that our democracy is in danger and we need to make it clear. I want to stand with the people in Minnesota who [were] really battered this winter, and I want to stand with all my fellow citizens here,” said Trowbridge.
Saturday was the third installment of the No Kings rallies in Monticello – one of more than 3,000 events that took place, according to organizers. Protestors adorned handmade signs, American flags, and banners – one that read ‘Save America’ in big white letters.
Monticello resident Nancy Filipovitz described the Trump administration as “lawless.” Affordability was an issue top of mind for her and others Radio Catskill spoke with.
“I can no longer afford health insurance, and I have had cancer in the past, which I cannot have follow-ups with because I cannot afford health insurance,” said Filipovitz. “Along with all of the other expenses and the rising costs of living has made it impossible to afford. It’s a culmination of unaffordability and it’s literally killing people as we speak.”
In Honesdale, Pennsylvania, hundreds gathered and marched near the Fred R. Miller Pavilion on Main Street. Tannis Kowalchuk founded the Singing Resistance NEPA choir in February after they were inspired by the singing resistance in Minneapolis when roughly 3,000 ICE and Customs and Border Protection agents flooded the Minneapolis area.
“It’s nice to sing together, right? It just brings you together and it opens up your heart and just makes you feel like you’re one unity,” said Kowalchuk.
The war in Iran was also on people’s minds. In February, the U.S. and Israel attacked Iran in a series of military airstrikes. Iran has since retaliated with consequences that have spilled across the Middle East region.
Sullivan County resident Paula MacDonald says watching the war unfold has been upsetting and dire.
“I’m feeling that this is getting more and more urgent and the the fact that we’re in a war now that is really unnecessary and it’s driving costs up even more,” said MacDonald. “I think families are really hurting and it’s just not necessary.”
Rosie Starr contributed reporting to this story.
Image: Protesters lined Broadway and Jones Street in Monticello during the March 28 No Kings rally (Photo Credit: Kimberly Izar)