JERSEY SHORE On June 14, the largest-ever nationwide protest campaign included rallies in Toms River, Lacey, Long Beach Island, and Freehold.
In addition to being Flag Day, the 250th anniversary of the U.S. Army, and President Donald Trump’s birthday, No Kings Day was the event that drew demonstrators. The demonstrations, which were coordinated by a partnership that included Indivisible, 50501, and other organizations, were intended to protest what they see to be authoritarian actions by the Trump administration.
The organizers urged participants to reject authoritarian symbols and support democratic ideals, emphasizing the need of nonviolence. Concerns about the administration’s actions, such as the president’s decision to send the National Guard and U.S. Marines to Los Angeles without California Governor Gavin Newsom’s consent, the use of military spectacles for self-glorification, and policies that were seen as undermining democratic institutions, sparked the protests.
The Toms River event in front of the Ocean County Mall drew a sizable local crowd. More than 500 people attended Lacey’s rally day, while 300 people showed up for LBI’s event.
Despite being Republican strongholds, each of those locations attracted sizable crowds of demonstrators who were cheering, jeering, holding signs, and voicing their displeasure with President Trump.
The rallies were all largely nonviolent. We anticipate a nonviolent demonstration, Toms River Police Captain Guy Maire told Jersey Shore Online.com outside the mall parking lot. Numerous police vehicles, two K9 Unit vehicles, and several officers guarded the lengthy line of demonstrators down Hooper Avenue.
The No Kings campaign aimed to reinforce the values of democracy and the rule of law by organizing residents across the country, according to the protesters in attendance. Participants were urged to use websites such as nokings.organdmobilize.us to locate local gatherings.
Berkeley residents Donna and Tony Walesiewiez attended the Toms River event and said they wanted to voice their worries about a variety of issues, including the estimated $45 million cost of the military march. Tony Walesiewiez chuckled sarcastically and stated, “Money well spent,” adding that the march wasn’t necessary.
We worry about the damage he is causing to our nation. Speaking up is crucial, according to Donna Walesiewiez.
Tony Walesiewiez continued, “This is quite a turnout.” The lack of additional counter-protesters startled him.
One man with an American flag and a Make America Great Again cap wished the audience a good Flag Day and the birthday of President Trump. He did not comment, stating that he did not trust the press media.
Twenty young people were wearing Trump flags and making loud statements in one area of the protest.
The group was composed of buddies who came to the mall, according to one of the teenagers, Christian Abislaiman, 18, of Toms River. I couldn’t vote for him because I wasn’t eighteen at the time. There are roughly twenty of us present. Trump flags are also flying from a number of autos. Not all of them chose to park in the same spot.
He went on to say that instead of doing what we were unable to do four years ago, our president is now supporting the law. Although everyone has a different viewpoint, this is how we feel. We’re enjoying ourselves out here.
Corey Jacobs of Lacey Township was another 18-year-old who was a member of that group. He claimed that while he was driving in the mall parking lot, an old woman broke his car’s mirror. A police report was filed once the police were notified.
To buy some meal, we came here. We rolled down the window because someone was cursing at us without cause. We had absolutely no signage up. She destroyed my mirror when I screamed at her back. We located her (in the crowd) when the cops instructed us to show her. She is most likely 70 years old.
Later in the afternoon, the group moved farther down the protest line and was seen jeering at some of the anti-Trump demonstrators.
One of the group members made fun of some of the people standing close by using a bullhorn. Before cheering people who drove by in support of Trump, including a van from the Lets Go Brandon business in Toms River that shuttered months ago, he and his gang hurled obscenities at cars whose occupants displayed signs of support for the demonstration.
Pine Beach resident Jim was wearing a shirt he had made himself that showed him pointing to a cardboard stand-up Trump figure. “I tried to stop the disaster,” his shirt read. He clarified that he has been warning people that his election would be a complete failure since October 2016, just before the election.
He was hesitant to reveal his entire name. I was a teacher in Toms River from 78 until 2008, and I have resided in Pine Beach for 40 years. I offer my services for every election. I do things like work the polls. The turnout is quite good.
With signs in hand, Tiffany Greene, dressed as the Statue of Liberty, and her son Ian of Manahawkin prepared for the gathering. She had previously been at a rally on April 5 at the Veterans Administration headquarters in Toms River.
This is incredible. This is far larger than the last one, which was enormous. I was pleased to see that enough people were offended and came out because this is one of the reddest counties in our state. This was their first protest, according to an 82-year-old mother and her 62-year-old niece, with whom I just spoke. “Obviously, things are pretty bad if you are coming out to protest at that age,” Greene remarked.
She made reference to the military march when she added, “What is happening is utterly disgusting.” There will be unemployment as a result of Trump’s massive expenditure and sacking of employees. The procession is costing us millions of dollars. It would be fantastic if it were truly for the Army, but we are aware that it is not. We are aware of its true purpose.
“They will have to repair the roads that are being torn up by the tanks,” Greene continued.
According to her son, the money may have been used to alleviate homelessness in the United States. Here, my mom and I are in agreement. It is imperative that we assert our First Amendment rights. We can t be silent and expect things to change. We could be working to actually make this country great by helping people who need it like our veterans.
Ida Damgola of Pine Beach said I m concerned about what is happening. I am not a very political person. I am an artist. I support peace and love and that everybody is welcome. Let everyone be happy but I am not happy anymore. I more scared than anything.
One couple who exited the mall to check out what was going on had mixed reactions. One remarked that while she doesn t support Trump, she s not fond of either political party.
F Republicans, F Democrats; they all suck, she remarked. She did not provide her name and gave her address as Canada, in reference to the president s desire to have America s neighbor as the 51ststate.
