MOSES LAKE — Almost 300 people turned out Saturday for the “No Kings 2.0” rally in Moses Lake, according to Grant County Democrats Vice Chair Jill Springer Forrest, considerably more than the rally held in June. 

“We knew it was going to be a lot bigger one,” Springer Forrest said. “It was nationally advertised. I had this event on the (national website), and lot of people registered that had never done it before. So, we have a lot of new first-timers here today.”

Protesters covered all four corners at the intersection of Broadway Avenue and Alder Street downtown, waving flags that said, “No Kings in America since 1776.” Many had also made their own signs – a table was set up with poster board and markers for the purpose – with slogans like “Workers over billionaires,” “Impeach, convict, remove” and “Not voting is the #1 cause of unwanted presidencies.” Passing motorists honked so much that at times it was hard to hear one another speak. 

“People are happy to be out here and feel like they’re doing something,” said an attendee whose sign read “Honk if you’re not in the Epstein files,” who gave her name only as Diane.  “It’s not like everybody has the same philosophy. But everybody’s getting along.” 

Kelly O'Kell didn’t have a sign, but she was carrying a box of candies to hand out.  

“I love doing this,” O'Kell said. “I absolutely believe in our country, and I believe in our Constitution, and I think it's vital that everybody come out, because we're going to lose these rights soon if people don't stand up.” 

The signs spoke to a number of controversial political issues, but the biggest was impending Medicaid cuts, Springer Forrest said. 

“The insurance rates are going to go up exponentially now because (Republicans) won't negotiate with the Democrats to save the health care,” she said. “That's where people are waking up and going, ‘Wait a minute, I'm paying $300 a month for insurance (and) now I'm going to pay either $600 or $900 … Most people here are on Medicare, and quite a few on Medicaid. We're getting baby boomers out here. The majority of them, they've been through this before, and they're ready to do it again to save democracy.” 

The federal government is shut down, with one of the primary disagreements between Democrats and Republicans being the renewal or expiration of Affordable Care Act tax credits that help millions of Americans afford health insurance. Both sides are pointing blame at the other party. 

The last rally the Democrats had held drew almost no opposition, Okell said, but this protest, about 25 people from Patriot Church came to give their response. Pastor Aaron Noble led prayers and spoke through a PA system while church members held signs that read “Jesus is King.” 

“The Bible tells us that Jesus is the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords,” Noble said. “So, we want to make sure that when people are saying ‘no kings,’ that they're not leaving Jesus out of that scenario. In addition, we're out here to stand up for our right to stand up for life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness for all people … Trump was a duly-elected president, both by the Electoral (College) and the mass popular vote. He won every swing state. And so, we stand up for the rule of law.” 

Holding the rally in a county where two-thirds of voters went for Trump might have been brave, Springer Forrest said, but she felt the issues went beyond party lines. 

“We’re in a ruby-red town, but we’re finding that we’re getting all kinds of people from all walks of life,” she said. “We've got Republicans. We've got Democrats. We've got progressives, and we've got everybody in between, or who don't know what their party affiliation is, yet they know that they're really upset about what's going on in this administration and how (the country’s) being torn apart bit by bit. We are hoping to show that the people are what powers the government.” 

    Protesters wave at passing drivers during the No Kings rally in downtown Moses Lake Saturday. The rally drew about 300 people.
  

    Small flags were provided, but many protesters at the No Kings rally made their own signs.