Community members gathered at the Glen Lake Narrows just off M-22 on Saturday for a “No Kings: Nationwide Day of Defiance” rally. Event organizers estimated there were between 150-200 people in attendance at the protest, which was held from 10:30 a.m. to noon. The gathering was one of several reported in Leelanau that day.
The peaceful protest was also one of thousands held throughout the country Saturday in response to the Trump administration’s policies and actions. The rallies coincided with Flag Day, as well as Trump’s 79th birthday and planned grand military parade in Washington D.C. to celebrate the U.S. Army’s 250th anniversary.
Glen Arbor resident and rally spokesperson Linda Dewey said aside from celebrating Flag Day, the gathering was simply to celebrate the right of freedom of speech, freedom of the press, and the freedom to dissent, protest and disagree. “No Kings” has been dubbed by organizers as a “national day of action and mass mobilization in response to increasing authoritarian excesses and corruption from President Trump and his allies.” According to the No Kings website, a core principle behind all No Kings events is a commitment to nonviolent action, stating that they expect all participants to seek “to de-escalate any potential confrontation with those who disagree with our values.”
