No Kings Ridgecrest had 3 events for the day.  Some people came just for the speeches, lots just for the march, and others just to hold down the protest corner.  Our biggest count at one time was 333. Considering the NSPM-7, I think it’s safe to say we had a good turnout for our town.

Watch our event on YouTube.

Photo & Video by Dan Pearl, on Instagram @danpearlcreative

It’s all been worth it

During the Hands Off protest, a prominent figure in town came to argue with me about how federal cuts and privatization needed to happen.  The conversation was civil and ended quickly, I thought that was the last of it.

At later protests, I again saw him as he turned left at Ridgecrest Blvd and gave us the bird as he drove. “That’s fine,” I thought, “at least he doesn’t yell at us like some idiots.”

Then came No Kings 2.0.  After the lecture and speeches at the gazebo, he approached me.  “Thank you,” he said, “No really, thank you.” I don’t think I even uttered a word, nothing needed to be said, I nodded. I knew in that moment I had flipped him.  He marched with us and played drums at the protest corner. 🙌

I was even further surprised when I saw the comments collected by the interviews Eileen had conducted.  There were other Republicans there!  Sure, I expected Never Trumpers- but I never expected people who still identify as Republicans would march with us.  I’m completely floored.

Comments from people attending No Kings Ridgecrest

• “I’m a combat veteran and Trump lies to us every day. I’m sick of the lies and he is hurting veterans and the military.”
• “I love my country.”
• “I heard the President’s Press Secretary say that if I protest, I’m a terrorist. I’m just an old lady who hates what’s happening in my country and now I’m a terrorist. Ok, whatever.”
• “I’m a Republican and I voted for Trump. He lied to us. My grocery costs have gone up and my kids can’t afford to buy a house. Plus, he hasn’t done one thing to help Ukraine and that’s terrible.”
• “Our President and our Congress are horrible. There are no checks and balances any more. I feel like we are falling apart, and I just have to do something. That’s why I’m here.”
• “I’m here because I want the people who are scared to come out to know that they are not alone. What is happening in America right now is not OK.”
• “Trump is a liar. During the campaign, he said he was going to do a whole bunch of stuff on Day 1 – bring down grocery costs, release the Epstein files, end the war in Ukraine, and so on. The only damn thing he did was pardon over 1,000 of his convicted criminal supporters who attacked our Capitol and killed and wounded police officers on Jan 6. He’s a damn liar.”
• “ICE is horrible and what they are doing is 100% unAmerican!”
• “This President is out of control and this ICE shit has to stop. ICE is using Gestapo-like tactics and terrorizing people. They are racially profiling and that is just wrong. They are deporting people without due process as the Constitution requires and they are not finding the terrorists or taking the criminals off the streets. They are picking up people who are working and paying taxes. They are detaining people who are trying to work within the system. They are horrible.”
• “I’m here because I’m scared for my country right now.”
• “My heart is breaking for what is happening to my Hispanic friends and neighbors. I just have to do something. I don’t know if this will help but I just have to do something. It’s just so wrong.”
• “The whole reason we became a nation is because we didn’t want to have a king. How can anyone object to that?”
• “I believe President Trump is deranged and I’m scared.”
• “I’m here today because I’m scared to death by what this administration is doing to this country I love.”
• “I love history and I love the Constitution. I think Trump just loves himself and hates America and our Constitution.”
• “I hate the divide in our country. Like the speaker (Professor Endicott) said, we are just acting like two sports teams and it’s ridiculous and harmful. We need to figure out how to compromise.”
• “I’m just here because I love my country. I am really pleasantly surprised that I’ve talked to people today who are Republicans, Democrats, and Independents. I didn’t see that coming.”
• “I believe Trump wants to be in total control of everything and I believe the Supreme Court is corrupt and the Congress has abdicated their responsibilities to hold this guy in check. This is not the time to be silent. That’s why I’m here.”
• “I went to war to defend this nation. I love America. Trump lied to us. He’s a wannabe dictator and he is tearing this country apart. We have to stop him. We have to stand up and speak up and speak out. I had to be here.”
• “Trump is deranged and he is hurting my country. Tell me one unifying thing he has ever said – just one! All he does is try to divide us. It’s pathetic and he’s unAmerican.”
• “I’m here because I love my country and I think the current Administration is tearing it apart shred by shred, starting with our Constitution.”
• “I just figure that participating in something peaceful like this is better than sitting home being mad about it.”
• “I saw a sign on tv from a protest a while back and it said “Silence is not an Option.” I guess that’s why I’m here. I’m scared for my country and I don’t know what to do.”
• “I’m here because I’m pissed that we are where we are. Our Supreme Court is completely corrupted and almost all the Republicans in Congress just say “yes sir, yes sir, three bags full” to whatever Trump or his Project 2025 crew throw at them. It’s horrible.”
• “Our country is being taken over by billionaires who just want more money. We’ve got to stop them. It’s such a scary time.”
• “We can’t take care of our own problems, but we are giving $40 Billion to Argentina? Really? America First, right?”
• “I feel like our whole world is upside down and our President doesn’t give a s&^t about America. He just cares about himself and getting his family richer. He’s like a professional carnival barker.”
• “I’m here because I want to spend time in community with people who do not subscribe to an alternate reality that has been created by this administration and some right-wing media outlets.”

Upcoming Events

November 1st:
Stop ICE, Remember the Dead
9-11am,
Ridgecrest & China Lake Blvd

The in-custody death count now includes 22 people, see their names here.

November 11th:
Vets say No
4-6pm
Banning Park
1331 Eubank Ave
Los Angeles

Stay tuned for Food Drive info for November 15th.