Hundreds of thousands of people all over America came together for the October 18th No Kings protests. Demonstrators arrived ready to stand against authoritarianism and brought their best signs with them. Among the creative costumes and powerful rally cries, several protests saw their own constitution. As rallies began in Chicago and Washington, D.C., the U.S Constitution was not far behind.
In Chicago, a giant, hand-written constitution was carried by dozens of protestors. As it weaved through the crowd, its message was clear. Hundreds of demonstrators signed the constitution, and as it made its way through the march, people yelled, “Constitution coming through!”
Washington, D.C., sent a similar message as local protestors brought their version of the Constitution. As “We the people” bobbed up and down with marching protestors, many sang tried-and-true rally chants. The reminder was obvious, and it was a bold stand against Trump’s often tyrannical practices.
“No Kings Day hits different when one guy still thinks he’s the crown,” said one viewer of a video posted by @mayaeaglin of Chicago’s rally version of the constitution. “Power to the people, not the wannabe monarch.” Many echoed the sentiment, quick to defend the fact that America was founded on Democracy.
More than 2,700 cities and towns took part in the No Kings Day protests. For them, a citizen-written constitution held almost as much power as the actual constitution. “Still hope in the world we’re living in,” one person said. Still, some others struggled to understand the intention behind the protests. “Like they [protestors] care about the constitution,” one person said. To this, several people responded, with one saying, “They do. It’s your president who is actively breaking it.” Another added, “The people in the White House definitely don’t care about the Constitution.”
While some are committed to misunderstanding, millions of others across America are still taking a stand for what they believe is right.
