Locals stand up for their beliefs at 'No Kings' protest

Roughly 1,500 people gathered during Saturday’s sunny afternoon hours at Uptown Park to take part in Oxford’s “No Kings” protest. 

Like previous “No Kings” protests in Oxford, a representative of Talawanda Oxford Pantry and Social Services (TOPSS) was in attendance to accept food pantry donations.

From strollers to walkers, people of all ages attended the honk-and-wave style protest, where members of the crowd sported not only signs showcasing frustration and concern toward the current state of the United States government, but also graphic T-shirts featuring references to the Constitution, equality, diversity and political figures such as United States Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg.

Other protesters dressed in inflatable costumes of unicorns and frogs, the latter of which has been popular among protesters in Oregon.

Protesters blew bubbles or sang songs, like Bob Dylan’s “The Times They Are a-Changin’.” 

One protester, Miles Melvin, blew a whistle as a way to make noise when protesters would cheer after nearby drivers honked their horns. 

According to Oxford resident and protester Lynne Hugo, “Oxford is a little blue enclave surrounded by a red sea.”

But references to political parties were largely absent from signs and protester’s comments. 

Longtime residents Joe and Paula Foltz both said they believed Oct. 18 was the third protest they attended in Oxford. 

When asked why they were in attendance, Joe said, “Well, we’re registered Democrats, but that’s beside the point.”

“We think the government has been a fascist authoritarian regime undermining our basic freedoms and undermining democracy,” Joe said. 

Paula added she is “furious with ICE (U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement), for stopping people for no good reason, indiscriminately.”

Criticisms toward ICE were echoed by other protesters, including Andrew Lisk, who said America is supposed to be the “land of opportunity, not the land of deportation.”