Over 3,000 individuals gathered for the “No Kings: Then or Now!” protest to peacefully march and commemorate the 250th anniversary of the American Revolution.
Held on Saturday, April 19, and organized by 50501 (50 protests, 50 states, one day) and local groups including Progress Kentucky and Gathering for Democracy at the Robert F. Stephens Courthouse, the event was part of nationwide protests against U.S. President Donald Trump and Elon Musk, according to CBS.
Event organizer and speaker, Louis Knupp, said the protest was against Trump and Musk’s removal of individuals’ rights, such as the removal of due process laws and diversity, equity and inclusion policies.
The removal of these policies symbolizes the very same situation America found itself in during the Revolutionary War, according to Knupp.
“When the people of this nation fought and resisted, they were fighting against dictatorship, against authoritarianism,” Knupp said. “The very same tyranny that we now find ourselves facing again.”
Knupp said the government is trying to criminalize First Amendment rights, such as freedom of speech and the right to assemble peacefully, by deporting immigrants, even those naturalized, for exercising their rights.
According to Knupp, removing constitutional rights is the first step toward a “true constitutional crisis,” where checks and balances are diminished and “America returns to a monarchy.”
“The United States of America did not want a king then and we do not want a king now,” Knupp said. “We are a democracy and we will remain a democracy.”
Knupp said his voice helps show others they are not alone, saying using his voice has allowed him to organize protests with thousands to ensure their message of equality is heard by local and federal governments.
“No matter how they try to silence us, and they will try to silence us,” Knupp said. “They will have to drag us away, kicking and screaming. And even then, we will not be silent.”
Turkish immigrant and protester, Ozlem Davis, said she came to the protest to fight for her own rights as a naturalized citizen as well as the rights of her children.
Davis said the U.S. government started targeting all immigrants by calling them “dangerous criminals” or “terrorists,” saying it has been terrifying for her due to the fear of deportation and separation from her husband and kids.
“I have been through the immigration process. I know how hard the immigration process is. I know how much time it takes to do it correctly,” Davis said. “I don’t want people to be put into situations where they are misclassified as illegal criminals, because people are trying to just go through the process correctly.”
After fleeing her home in Turkey, Davis said she found safety in America, saying when her security and rights were threatened, she knew she had to make a difference.
According to Davis, the protest is about a higher cause than Democrats vs. Republicans, saying extremism is “on the rise,” and 2025 is the time to fight back.
“This is not what the United States that I know is,” Davis said. “I’m so glad to hear and see all these people say the same thing.”
Speaker for the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), Whit Whitaker, said DEI has become a “dirty word” in the U.S. government.
According to Whitaker, DEI means equality for everyone in America, saying it should be viewed as “balancing the scale,” giving women, African Americans and LGBTQ+ citizens an equal opportunity.
“By dismantling the notion of monarchy in any form of authoritarian rule, we create a space for individuals from all backgrounds to contribute their unique perspectives,” Whitaker said. “Embracing diversity ensures that all voices are heard.”
Whitaker said when citizens embrace DEI, they not only improve society and build a stronger country, but also learn to love each other.
“Gone are the days of sitting passively and quietly in silence or apathetic frustration because of fear to act, fear to defend or fear that speaking out won’t make a difference,” Whitaker said. “Because when we fight, we win.”