MOSES LAKE – Around 330 people lined East Broadway Avenue and North Stratford Road on Saturday for a “No Kings” protest, according to Grant County Democrat Vice Chair and Protest Co-organizer Jill Springer. 

“I have met republicans, independents, progressives, liberals, a couple of conservatives and we have the democrats,” Springer said. “I mean it is a whole bunch of people, different types of people, all gathered out here today.”  

The “No Kings” rallies were organized in nearly 2,000 locations nationwide, including cities, towns and community spaces, according to the Associated Press. 

The protests were organized in response to the Trump administration's plans to hold a large-scale military parade this weekend, Springer said. That, coupled with other frustrations people are feeling with the administration, is what drove people to the sidewalks Saturday. 

“I am alarmed by the use of the military against United States citizens. I am alarmed by the sweeps that ICE is making towards my neighbors and friends, who are immigrants,” protester Barb Drainville said. “I protested in the 60s and now I am out here again. We have to be more visible; we must be more strident in our objective.” 

Another protester, Nancy White-Hursh, said she couldn’t pick one reason why she came out, but she feels bothered by the Trump administration. 

“My ancestors fought in the Revolutionary War, and I certainly don’t think this is what they had in mind when they voted and fought to not have a king. That is why I am here,” White-Hursh said. “I can’t pick one thing, though. Everything is bothering me, and I worry about my children and especially my grandchildren and what this is going to do to our country.”  

Another protester, Dustin, who asked for his last name not to be published for fear of retribution, said he is a retired veteran. He served for three years but had a stroke in 2012 when he was honorably discharged.  

“I feel pretty strongly about us having a dictatorship and I am not for it. As a veteran, I still remember my oath. It has been almost 20 years,” Dustin said. “I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States, from all enemies, foreign and domestic. So help me God. I don’t think Trump is upholding that oath.”  

Dustin said Trump, as the commander in chief, has a role to uphold peace for his own country.  

“Throwing active-duty Marines and National Guard at citizens just to make a statement and an eye for an eye. That doesn’t make the world safe. That just makes the world blind,” he said.  

Tiffany Mullings, one of the co-organizers of the protest, said the response to the protest has been overwhelmingly positive. She said there were a handful of people who showed up at the beginning, dressed in all black and covering their faces, who Mullings said were trying to intimidate people.  

“They dispersed pretty quickly after the crowd grew,” she said. “Nobody has been violent, and we didn’t expect anything like that today. We came prepared with mitigation items in case that was a problem, but we really didn’t expect anything.”  

One self-identified anti-protester, Derk, also asked that his last name not be published, was standing with protesters on the corner and having political conversations.  

“I am an anti-protester because I don’t have bumper stickers. I don’t even put the American flag in my house,” Derk said. “I don’t protest like this. I engage with people and talk to them sometimes and try to learn a lot about everything that I believe.” 

He said that he was having success in having conversations with protesters. 

“I am arguing with people today, but I think that it is good to have someone on the other side,” Derk said. “But I am not even here for that. I am just here to have conversations, and I just don’t want to stand out.”  

Springer said that overall, she was very pleased with the turnout and the conversations the protest resulted in. 

“There are people that have come out because they are angry and they don’t want to live like that anymore,” Springer said. “This is one of our biggest protests we have ever organized, and I think that shows that people are fed up.” 

Mike Maynard contributed to this report.

    Grant County Democrat Vice Chair and Protest Co-organizer, Jill Springer, left, talks with a protester at the “No Kings” protest Saturday.
  

    Protesters lined East Broadway Avenue and North Stratford Road Saturday. The final count from Jill Springer, one of the organizers, was 330 people.
  

    A protester waves a pride flag as a car driving by waves a resist flag during the “No Kings” protest Saturday.
  

    Dustin, who asked for his last name not to be published for fear of retribution, said he is a retired veteran. He served for three years but had a stroke in 2012 when he was honorably discharged. He said he is upset that Donald Trump is not upholding his oath of office.

    Protesters in front of Walgreens on Saturday.
  

  

    Several people in a truck gave thumbs up to protesters Saturday. Reactions to the protest were varied. Some people also flipped off protesters, shook their heads or gave a thumbs down gesture.