With a reported overall attendance of about 1,000 people a “No Kings” demonstration was held in Hilliard June 14, one of nearly two thousand similar protests held in cities throughout the United States on June 14.
The demonstrations were staged in opposition by those who view the actions of the administration of President Donald Trump as authoritarian on multiple tiers, including the deployment of the National Guard and U.S. Marines in the past week to quell demonstrations- some violent- in Los Angeles.
Tragically, the protest also occurred on the same day as the assassination of Minnesota Rep. Melissa Hortman and her husband, Mark, and the shooting of Minnesota Sen. John Hoffman, and his wife, Yvette, each at the residence of the Minnesota Democratic lawmakers by a man impersonating a police officer.
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Several signs at the June 14 protest in Hilliard bore the names of Hortman.
Warehouse 839, adjacent to and affiliated with the Hilliard United Methodist Church, hosted the protest demonstration.
Demonstrators line the sidewalk of Main Street on June 14th, just south of Scioto Darby Road, during a “No Kings” protest.
Ohio Rep. Crystal Lett (D-Columbus), representing Ohio’s 11th District, and Hilliard City Councilman Andy Teater, who is seeking re-election this year as a Democrat, briefly spoke in the parking lot of Warehouse 839.
“Our democracy is under attack,” said Teater, adding he was “thrilled to be invited to speak.”
“With every executive order (Trump makes)… we are moving further away,” from the United States we know, said Teater, who this year changed his party affiliation from Republican to Democrat.
Teater also spoke about his concern to Trump administration’s attack on public education.
Lett lauded the crowd for “coming together as a community” and told those gathered that it is “an honor to fight” at the Statehouse for LGBTQ rights.
“Your advocacy matters,” Lett said.
Ohio Rep. Crystal Lett (D-Columbus) speaks to those gathered June 14 at the “No Kings” protest in Hilliard.
Among those attending the protest were Cassie White and her husband, Tom.
“(We) do not support the kind of administration we have,” said Cassie White, adding she has attended other protests and rallies in opposition to the Trump administration.
Hilliard’s “No Kings” protest was promoted by Hilliard RBG (Hilliard Residents Building Good).
“This is a moment in time that begins a movement,” Hilliard RBG member Joan Makley said about the growing opposition to the Trump administration in the United States.
Ted Barrows, a Hilliard resident and retired Franklin County Municipal Court judge, shows his gratitude for the support of motorists
In addition to Teater, Hilliard Council members Cynthia Vermillion, Tina Cottone and Greg Betts were also at the demonstration.
In observing the event in Hilliard and walking along Main Street from Scioto Darby Road between the Methodist Church and McDonald’s, I did not see any counter-protestors or anyone carrying a Trump flag or wearing MAGA hats or shirts, nor any police presence.
On two occasions, I heard something derisive yelled from a passing car.
Otherwise, drivers and passengers in many cars honked horns or gave thumbs-up and waves while driving past.
A passer-by in a vehicle shows support for the “No Kings” demonstrators June 14.
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