‘It’s time to step up and let our voices be heard,’ says a demonstrator
By Art Van Kraft for Ashland.news
Thousands of people crammed sidewalks waving signs and cheering in celebration of No Kings Day in Medford on Saturday. They were part of a nationwide protest aimed at countering a parade in Washington celebrating the 250th anniversary of the U.S. Army on President Donald Trump’s 79th birthday.
The protesters started arriving along East McAndrews Road about 10 a.m., and eventually the line of waving signs and cheering stretched from Crater Lake Avenue to Biddle Road.
4,000 participants
Medford police estimated the crowd at about 4,000. The Medford event was one of more than 2,000 nationwide. The No Kings Day protest was organized by Oregon District 2 (ORD2) Indivisible, 50501 and Southern Oregon Women’s March.
One of the first to arrive was Katie Engrstrum, who wore colorful patriotic face paint.
“I’m a medic and a nurse. I’m a volunteer to help with any medical issues, in case someone in injured or falls or has a heat problem. I’m all about our country, our Constitution, human rights. I’m an Army veteran, 8½ years served as an Army nurse in Iraq and Afghanistan,” Engrstrum said.
One woman was crouched over her sign in an adjacent parking lot. She was filling in the final touches. Jen Trumm, human resources manager for the Ashland Co-op, said she decided it was important to speak out.
‘I want to have a voice’
“I want to have a voice in what is going on. I feel like there’s a calling to make sure that I’m speaking up for freedom of speech, individual freedoms,” Trumm said. She emphasized the lack of a P in her last name.
Three friends maneuvered along the sidewalk looking for a break in the crowd.
Cynthia Lamar from Jacksonville said “It’s time to step up and let our voices be heard. The cruel lack of not following the Constitution is abhorrent, and our voices need to be heard loud and clear.”
Ashland resident Alan Crutcher agreed. “It’s nice to be here and see how many people are here and how many people driving by are in complete support rather than being adversarial or offended,” he said.
Mary Boucher of Talent said, “I am thoroughly disgusted with this administration undermining democracy in every way possible,” she said.
Rone Barney works in a theater in Ashland. He came with friends and said the protest is important to people of all ages.
‘I’m angry, I’m sick and tired’
“I’m angry, I’m sick and tired and I can’t stand this guy Trump any more, so I’m out here to be with everyone else who agrees,” Barney said.
A group of friends in colorful clothes also joined the fray. Fiona Robinson of Austin, Texas, Severin Steensen of Medford and Amelia, Liberatore of Medford were among the few younger people who participated in the protest.
Another person nearby, who wished to remain anonymous, said he thinks many Gen Z’s don’t believe these protests make any difference, so they don’t show up but are more inclined to digital activism.
Organizers at Indivisible Oregon, the Portland-based chapter of the progressive group Indivisible, said the protests were intended to be peaceful demonstrations and are a way to resist the political display in Washington, viewed by many as a troubling sign of Trump’s increasing authoritarianism.
Art Van Kraft is an artist living in Ashland and a former broadcast journalist and news director of a Los Angeles-area National Public Radio affiliate. Email him at [email protected].
