JERSEY SHORE – Rallies in Toms River, Lacey, Long Beach Island and Freehold were all part of the largest nationwide protest campaign in history on June 14.
The date also marked Flag Day, the 250th anniversary of the U.S. Army and President Donald Trump’s birthday – but what brought protestors out was “No Kings Day.” Organized by a coalition including Indivisible, 50501, and other groups, the protests aimed to counter what they view as authoritarian displays by the Trump administration.
Organizers emphasized nonviolence and encouraged participants to reject symbols of authoritarianism and uphold democratic values. The protests were in response to concerns over the administration’s actions, including the president sending the National Guard and U.S. Marines to Los Angeles without approval from California Governor Gavin Newsom, use of military displays for personal glorification and policies perceived as undermining democratic institutions.
Locally, a huge group attended the Toms River rally held in front of the Ocean County Mall. Lacey’s rally day drew more than 500 people and LBI’s gathering noted 300 attendees.
Each of those areas are Republican strongholds but generated strong attendance with protestors carrying signs, cheering, jeering and expressing their discontent with President Trump.
Each of the rallies were generally peaceful. Toms River Police Captain Guy Maire told Jersey Shore Online.com in the mall’s parking lot that “We are anticipating a peaceful protest.” Two K9 Unit vehicles were present along with several police vehicles and a number of officers who patrolled the long line of protestors along Hooper Avenue.
Protestors present noted that by mobilizing citizens nationwide, the “No Kings” movement sought to reaffirm the principles of democracy and the rule of law. Participants were encouraged to find local events through platforms like nokings.org and mobilize.us.
Donna and Tony Walesiewiez of Berkeley were at the Toms River rally, and said they came out to express their concerns about numerous topics, such as the military parade that came with an estimated cost of $45 million. “Money well spent,” Tony Walesiewiez said with a sarcastic laugh expressing the parade was unnecessary.
“We are concerned about what he is doing to our country. It is important to speak out,” Donna Walesiewiez said.
“This is quite a turnout,” Tony Walesiewiez added. He was surprised there were not more counter protestors.
There was one man sporting a Make America Great Again cap carrying an American flag wishing the crowd a happy Flag Day and President Trump’s birthday. He did not provide a comment saying he had no faith in news media.
In one section of the rally, 20 young people were expressing themselves loudly and carrying Trump flags.
One of the teens who gave his name as Christian Abislaiman, 18, of Toms River said the group was made up of friends who came out to the mall. “I wasn’t 18 at the time so I couldn’t vote for him. There is about 20 of us here. There is a bunch of cars driving around with Trump flags too. Not everyone decided to park in one area.”
He added, “we have a president who is supporting the law right now as opposed to doing what we couldn’t four years ago. Everyone has their own opinion but this is how we feel. We’re out here having fun.”
Another 18-year-old who was part of that group was Corey Jacobs of Lacey Township. He said an elderly woman smashed the mirror of his car when he was driving in the parking lot of the mall. The police were informed and a police report was made.
“We came here to get food. A person was cursing at us for no reason so we rolled down the window. We didn’t have any signs up at all. I yelled at her back and she broke my mirror. The police told us to show us her and we found her (in the crowd). She’s probably about 70.”
That group migrated further down the line of protestors later in the afternoon and were observed heckling some of the anti-Trump protestors.
One member of the group used a bullhorn to mock some of those standing nearby. He and members of his group yelled profanities at vehicles whose passengers held up signs of support of the protest, and then they cheered those who drove by supporting Trump, including a van from the Lets Go Brandon store in Toms River that closed months ago.
Jim of Pine Beach sported his own homemade shirt featuring him pointing to a standup cardboard Trump figure. His shirt said, “I tried to stop the disaster.” He explained that he had been warning people since “October of 2016, before the election, to tell people his election would be a disaster.”
He had concerns over disclosing his full name. “I’ve lived in Pine Beach for 40 years and was a teacher in Toms River since ‘78 and retired in 2008. I volunteer for all of the elections. I work the polls and things like that. This is a pretty good turnout.”
Tiffany Greene, wearing a Statue of Liberty costume, and her son Ian of Manahawkin were ready for the rally with signs. She had attended a prior rally at the Veterans Administration building in Toms River on April 5.
“This is amazing. The last one was huge but this is much bigger. This is one of the reddest counties in our state so I was happy to see there was enough people who are outraged and came out. I just spoke to an 82-year-old woman and her 62-year-old niece and they said this was their first protest. If you are coming out to protest at that age, obviously things are pretty bad,” Greene said.
“What is happening is utterly disgusting,” she said referencing the military parade. “Trump is spending all this money and firing all these people and there will be unemployment. We are spending millions of dollars to have a parade. If it was actually for the Army that would be great but it is not and we know that. We know what it is really for.”
“The tanks are tearing up the roads that they will have to repair,” Greene added.
Her son said, “that money could have spent on homelessness in America. My mom and I are on the same page here. We have to come out and use 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 51st state.
