About 800 people came out for a “No Kings” rally in Marblehead Saturday afternoon — many carrying signs and others dressing up in costumes.
“We all have to work together to get rid of this tyrant,” said Andrea Utne, referring to President Donald Trump. Utne was dressed in an inflatable lobster costume, in a nod to the frog outfits at Portland, Oregon, protests.
Eleanor McMahon and friend Alison Juves, both of Marblehead, held signs together and waved at honking cars passing by.
“The (political) pendulum has swung too far the wrong way,” Juves said. “We’re here to make some good trouble.”
McMahon said she was protesting the weaponization of the Department of Justice, the military build-up against Venezuela and more.
“We have to show up,” she added.
Marblehead fifth-grader Bode Potter carried a sign defending LGBTQ rights, democracy and immigrants.
“I don’t like Trump,” Potter said. “He’s taking away all the immigrants before they get a chance to defend themselves.”
The scene was festive with music, dogs and baby strollers. The vast majority of passing cars seemed to be beeping and waving in support. Two or three trucks with Trump flags drove past, beeping.
Congressman Seth Moulton, who grew up in Marblehead, was there shaking hands.
“I’m impressed that even in a small town like this so many people are coming out and standing up for Democracy,” Moulton said.
Michele Fendel Bonner and her husband, John, waved their signs along Lafayette Street.
“I don’t have a choice,” Michele said when asked why she came out Saturday. “I can’t stand by. I don’t even recognize my country any more.”
Sarah Garibitto of Marblehead said her “general disgust with the state of the world” prompted her to attend the rally.
“I hate the way we’re treating people now,” she said.
Dressed in colonial garb, Mark Shasha, of Swampscott, carried a sign that read, “Project 1776 was better.”
“I oppose everything about the Trump administration,” he said. “I really can’t stand the bigotry. There’s always been some bigotry in politics, but now it’s being celebrated.”
The rally was organized by North Shore Indivisible, which hosts “No Kings” standouts at the same location at the corner of Lafayette and Maple streets every Saturday, 4-5 p.m.
Editor Leigh Blander is an experienced TV, radio and print journalist.
