Beyond the Dome: "No Kings" Protest

By: Katie Dusza, Asst. News Editor

Saturday Oct. 18, thousands of protesters took to Niagara Square to participate in one of more than 2,700 ‘No Kings Day’ protests across the country, over 100 taking place in New York State. These protests come just nine months into Donald Trump’s second presidential term. Critics of the Trump administration see many of their policies as a threat to the Constitution. 

Across the country, over seven million Americans participated in ‘No Kings Day.’ These non-violent protests marked the second large-scale mobilization following Trump's return to the White House. Key issues that were protested were Trump’s harsh immigration policies, the Immigration and Customs Enforcement raids occurring nationwide, reductions in healthcare and education funding and efforts to reverse the outcomes of the 2020 presidential election, among other issues.

Buffalo protestors chanted “This Is What Democracy Looks Like,” emphasizing the unity in the nature of the protest. 

Prior to the protests, Trump allies referred to ‘No Kings Day’ as ‘the hate America rally’ and accused protestors of being connected to the far-left Antifa movement. The president referred to people accusing him of fascist behavior as hysterical. Several states mobilized the National Guard; however, the protests proved peaceful according to organizers.