Staten Island No Kings Protest Draws Crowds Of 1,000+ Participants – Peaceful March At Clove Lakes

On Saturday, at Royal Oaks Blvd at the edge of Clove Lakes Park, a large crowd assembled to make their voices heard and to express their outrage over the actions of this administration, and to assert that America has never had and never will accept a king.  Below is a photo from the Staten Island Unitarian Church of some of the signs at the rally which express what the people are upset about specifically:

Image Credit – Staten Island Unitarian Church

This is the third such rally on Staten Island in the last year, and the largest one to date.   

The event was organized by eight local Staten Island charities and political organizations, some of which are formed under other registered charities to reduce the paperwork and reporting burdens on small organizations:  Social Justice Unitarian Church Staten Island, Young Dems Staten Island, Staten Island 4 Change,  the Staten Island Action Coalition, Metro NY-11 Healthcare For All, Staten Island Democratic Socialist Association, Peace Action Staten Island, and the Staten Island Democratic Association.  

According to the NYPD, regarding all of the No Kings protests across the five boroughs, “The majority of the No Kings protests have dispersed at this time and all traffic closures have been lifted.  We had more than 100,000 people across all five boroughs peacefully exercising their first amendment rights, and the NYPD made zero protest-related arrests.”

View the slideshow of photos from the event below on Youtube by Thomas Altfather Good:

Staten Island Action Coalition said of the event:

Below is a video of music being practiced for the event:

Staten Islander Chris Dowling said, “In credibly proud to stand with 1000 other Staten Islanders to protest the current deplorable state of The United States. Millions nationwide made our voice’s heard. “NO KINGS”

About this event, including the marching route, the Staten Island Action Coalition released the following:

Here is the route for NO KINGS March. It is slightly less than a mile and mostly downhill or flat. Not sure how parking will be but car pooling is suggested or public transportation.

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Peace Action of Staten Island said: “PASI is proud to be part of Staten Island 4 the People Coalition, one of several groups hosting the Staten Island No Kings 3 Rally and March. Be there at 1 pm at Victory Blvd and Royal Oak Rd (right across from Little Clove Rd). Bring friends and family and be part of Staten Island history.”

West Brighton Civic Association said, “Staten Island is marching! To protect democracy and the values of America. Come join us today!”

Over a thousand people showed up and exercised their freedom of speech and to protest on the streets of Staten Island.  It was a warm, beautiful spring day, even if it was a little cold.    But that didn’t stop island residents concerned about what they see happening in their government from coming out to stand together and protest.  Amnesty International describes the importance of protest below:

“Protest is an invaluable way to speak truth to power. Throughout history, protests have been the driving force behind some of the most powerful social movements, exposing injustice and abuse, demanding accountability and inspiring people to keep hoping for a better future.

Unfortunately, these precious rights are under attack and must be protected from those who are afraid of change and want to keep us divided. Governments and others with power are constantly finding new ways to suppress protest and silence critical voices. Global trends towards the militarization of police, the increase in the misuse of force by police at protests and shrinking civic space mean that it is becoming more difficult to stay safe while making your voice heard.”

OpenDemocracy.net gives six reasons why people should exercise this right: 

1. People realise that they are not alone

2. By protesting, we alter the agenda and start a debate

3. In an electoral democracy, protest provides an essential voice for minority groups

4. Sometimes we win!

5. Sometimes we win in ways we had not intended or planned

6. Sometimes we win but it takes a generation or more

Below is a flyer from the event: 

See below for a speech by Jane Fonda at the rally in Minnesota, along with her reading of a statement by the wife of the late Renee Good, who was killed in Minneapolis by an ICE agent:

Photos by Chris Dowling:

At the protest. Image Credit – Chris Dowling

At the protest. Image Credit – Chris Dowling

The following image is from another person at the protest, showing a silly sign held by a unicorn: 

“Paid protestor.” Image Credit – Chris Bauer

Staten Island signs. Image Credit – Chris Bauer

Staten Islanders. Image Credit – Chris Bauer

Staten Islanders. Image Credit – Chris Bauer

Banner Image: At the protest. Image Credit – Chris Dowling