Over 1,000 Queens residents attended Saturday’s No Kings protest, which introduced collectively elected leaders, artists and residents of all ages for a peaceable protest in opposition to the Trump Administration and its harsh therapy of immigrants, members of the LGBTQ+ neighborhood, and civilian populations in nations he’s waged wars in the world over.
Attendees gathered at MacDonald Park in Forest Hills wielding colourful indicators that learn protest slogans resembling “No Ice” and “Resist,” in addition to indicators supporting the transgender neighborhood, criticizing wars in Gaza and Iran, and demanding for Trump’s fast elimination from workplace.
The protest, organized by grassroots coalition Queens Says No Kings, was a part of a nationwide motion with over 3,300 deliberate occasions amassing 8 million contributors this previous Saturday alone.
Protesters marched down Queens Boulevard on Saturday in the course of the No Kings protest.Photograph by Ramy Mahmoud
Earlier than the march kicked off, temporary remarks had been made by Meeting candidate Brian Romero, congressional candidate Chuck Park, Assemblymember Jessica González-Rojas and Queens Borough President Donovan Richards Jr., who spoke in help of immigrant communities being focused by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers on the behest of Trump.
Romero — a proud son of Colombian immigrants and a Queens native — mentioned he sees firsthand the worry on residents’ faces whereas petitioning and knocking on doorways for his marketing campaign.
“Our neighbors are increasingly afraid of ICE coming to our blocks,” Romero mentioned. “Or tech oligarchs who are trying to run people out of their jobs, and the billionaire class that continues to exploit workers while they get wealthier and wealthier.”
Nonetheless, he mentioned the antidote to worry is hope, which is precisely what the No Kings protest supplied the neighborhood with on Saturday.
Congressional candidate Chuck Park spoke earlier than the march criticizing Trump for waging unlawful wars from Venezuela to Iran.Photograph by Ramy Mahmoud
Park, the son of Korean immigrants and in addition to a Queens native, criticized Trump for launching unlawful wars from Venezuela to Iran.
Whereas trying into the group, Park mentioned he observed residents of all completely different ethnic backgrounds — Afghani, Pakistani, Ashkenazi, Polish, Columbian, Chinese language, German, Jamaican and Bengali, simply to call just a few — all of whom he mentioned constructed this nation.
“We are here today because so many of our leaders in Congress have failed to fight back and stop this,” Park asserted. “We demand that you stop funding deportations and wars and start funding childcare and healthcare.”
“We march today for our neighbors of all faiths, all religions, all backgrounds and all immigration statuses that speak a plethora of languages that make Queens so special,” added González-Rojas. “We march today because we are fed up with the corruption, with the abuse of power, and the attacks on our communities.”
Protesters then lined as much as march down Queens Boulevard, exiting the park and strolling over a mile to Queens Borough Corridor in Kew Gardens.
Queens Borough President Donovan Richards Jr. welcomed protesters to the steps of Queens Borough Corridor in Kew Gardens, asserting that Queens would by no means bow to a king.Photograph by Ramy Mahmoud
They had been welcomed on the steps by Richards, who delivered just a few extra remarks in help of democracy and communities being focused by the Trump Administration.
“There might be counties in New York City named Kings and Queens — but those are titles no leader will ever hold in the United States of America,” Richards mentioned. “Queens will never bow to a dictator… Let’s show them that Donald Trump doesn’t define what America is and what we stand for, because we define what we stand for.”
Further audio system included U.S. Rep. Grace Meng; Assemblymember Catalina Cruz; Jessica Rosario, Queens lead of Arms Off NYC; and Dustin Schwartz, a member of the Queens department organizing committee of the Democratic Socialists of America.
Protesters held their indicators up excessive as they marched down Queens Boulevard in the course of the No Kings protest.Photograph by Ramy Mahmoud
Meng, the primary and solely Asian American member of Congress from New York State, mentioned every member of the neighborhood that confirmed up on the protest was standing in the best way of Trump, whom she known as a “wannabe dictator.”
She mentioned essentially the most painful tales she hears as a congresswoman are from elders in immigrant communities, who are sometimes the primary ones of their households to take an opportunity on constructing a brand new life within the U.S.
“They tell me that this isn’t the country they first came to — this is not the America they recognize,” Meng recounted. “And so we have to make sure that we continue to speak up against this corruption… [Trump] is not fighting for you. He is not working for you. He is working for his billionaire friends so they can have a better quality of life, and we will not allow that.”
U.S. Rep. Grace Meng, left, mentioned immigrants in her district inform her they not acknowledge the America they first immigrated to.Photograph by Ramy Mahmoud
Cruz, who was the primary Filipino elected to any degree of presidency in New York, mentioned the neighborhood she represents sees the federal authorities overstep its energy with merciless coverage enactments each single day.
“We gather together because we know democracy will only die if we stay silent,” Cruz mentioned. “I want you to reach out to all your local representatives and tell them that they have your support to pass the New York For All Act.”
Rosario recalled rising up on the streets of Queens, she mentioned, interacting with neighbors and youngsters throughout her neighborhood every single day and watching firsthand how everybody seemed out for one another.
She mentioned she was raised by the neighborhood and all those that work in it, such because the Dominican and Yemeni deli homeowners, the employees at Foodtown on the nook of Hillside Avenue and Francis Lewis Boulevard, and the homeowners of Gaby’s Pizza in Hollis.
“At Hands Off, we prepare folks to protect themselves and their neighbors,” Rosario mentioned. “But the broader goal is to connect neighborhoods so you know who’s on your block. There’s a lot of mutual aid and resource sharing, and that’s what keeps us safe.”
As protesters marched down Queens Boulevard, they shouted into megaphones and blew whistles as they led the group in chants.Photograph by Ramy Mahmoud
In line with Schwartz, who grew up in Forest Hills and commenced usually organizing by means of the DSA round 2024 when Trump was re-elected into workplace, the election of Mayor Zohran Mamdani helped present everybody what uniting and uplifting the neighborhood actually seems like.
“We showed a fascist and his enablers that a better world is possible,” Schwartz mentioned. “That nobody is illegal, that tax money should be spent not on bombs, but on public health care, housing education, child care and mass transit — and that billionaires should pay their fair share so that we can all live with dignity.”
Musicians additionally carried out in the course of the demonstration together with Disterbenz, led by singer-songwriter Gabrielle Sterbenz, who carried out “No Kings,” an unique tune written by Linda Brewton, in addition to the Curtis Watts Trio that includes Jennifer Giardina and Vinny Mongeluzo, who carried out Buffalo Springfield’s protest traditional “For What It’s Worth.”
On the finish of this system, a number of religion leaders together with Imam Muhammad Shahidullah, Reverend Jeff Courter of the First Presbyterian Church of Forest Hills, Rabbi Irwin Goldenberg of Temple Beth Israel of York PA, justice advocate Elder Louis D. Rodriguez, and Buddhist practitioner Rikki Asher.
“I think if Jesus was here, he’d be here with you,” Courter mentioned. “But you don’t have to be religious to understand that war is bad and kings bring war.”
“American fascists need to read the whole Bible, as well,” Goldenberg added. “No kings who think that they can do anything they want. The people united shall never be defeated.”
Shahidullah mentioned as a Muslim and Queens resident, he needs no hate or worry in Queens. At a time the place folks of all faiths are celebrating Eid, Passover and Easter, it’s time for peace locally.
“We are asking and seeking peace from you,” he mentioned. “We want peace, we want justice, and no kings in Queens.”
After Asher led the group in a Buddhist chant wishing attendees happiness, well being, security and peace, Rodriguez took to the rostrum and ended this system with phrases of affection and goodwill.
“Before you leave here today, I want you to turn to one another — somebody that you don’t know — and let them know that you love them for the God that is present within them,” he mentioned. “As faith leaders, we will be here every march that you will be in, walk beside you, and love all of you. Not because we have to, but because it’s ordained by God. There’s a genuine goodwill that we love you all.”
One protester mentioned her canine, Charlie Lady, would make a greater president than Donald Trump.Photograph by Ramy Mahmoud
Photograph by Ramy Mahmoud
Photograph by Ramy Mahmoud
Photograph by Ramy Mahmoud
Photograph by Ramy Mahmoud
Photograph by Ramy Mahmoud
Photograph by Ramy Mahmoud
Photograph by Ramy Mahmoud
Photograph by Ramy Mahmoud
