A series of “No Kings” protests will be held across the nation on Saturday, including here in Turlock.
The local event, to be held from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the southeast corner of Monte Vista Avenue and Countryside Drive, is expected to draw 60 to 70 protesters.
“That’s a good number for us,” said Cathy Doo, a member of Be the Change, a grassroots organization that, according to its Facebook page, believes that the nation’s greatness rests on a bedrock of inclusivity, diversity, optimism, and an embrace of the future. “The protest we had in front of (Rep.) Tom McClintock’s Modesto office, we had 120-plus people. But for our ‘Hands Off’ protest on April 5, we had 60 to 70 people there.”
Protesters are making placards to wave at passers-by, and encourage supporters to join in the protest or to simply honk and wave as they drive by.
The “No Kings” event was planned to protest the policies of President Donald Trump, and what Doo called “the Trump administration's abuses of power.” Since then, the White House has announced plans for a military parade on Saturday, which happens to coincide with the president’s 79th birthday.
Critics have called such a military parade — estimated by the Pentagon to cost as much as $45 million, according to an NBC News report — a hallmark of authoritarian regimes.
Trump told NBC News that the cost is “peanuts compared to the value of doing it.”
“We have the greatest missiles in the world; we have the greatest submarines in the world; we have the greatest army tanks in the world; we have the greatest weapons in the world,” Trump said. “And we’re going to celebrate it.”
Turlock Police Chief Jason Hedden said he respects the right to free speech and peaceful assembly, but worries that the timing of Saturday’s parade, coupled with the current civil unrest in parts of Los Angeles, could spell trouble.
“When you look at the images coming out of LA, with assaults on police officers, cars and property being damaged, I think it’s a bad time to have this kind of protest,” said Hedden. “But do I respect their ultimate right to protest? Yes, I do.”
Doo said she plans to speak with Hedden in the coming days to make sure she knows precisely what is expected of her group on Saturday. Hedden said he hopes Turlock will be an example for the rest of the country, with a peaceful, safe and respectful protest.
“During our protest at Geer and Monte Vista in April, we had a counter-protester — one — who would not back down,” said Doo. “And that is his right, of course. But our standard policy is to not engage, not confront and just walk away.”
Nearly 1,800 “No Kings” protests are planned across the country on Saturday, including one at Modesto’s Graceada Park.
Darleen Patrick, of Indivisible Stanislaus, said the event will start at the park and then progress to the city’s Five Points area (the confluence of McHenry and Downey avenues, and Needham, 17th and J streets) for the honk-and-wave. The protest will return to Graceada Park to take part in the Juneteenth celebration.
