One by one, members of the Durham Resistance Singers climbed up on a makeshift stage before hundreds of “No Kings” protesters huddled in CCB Plaza. Singing along to a snare drum and tambourine, the crowd boomed, “Ain’t gonna let nobody turn me around, gonna keep on walking, keep on talking, marching off to freedom land.”
The downtown Durham gathering was one of thousands that took place Saturday as part of the nationwide protests against the Trump administration. Durham’s third “No Kings” protest, the March 28 initiative was organized by a coalition of grassroots organizations including Engaged Defenders for Democracy, Democracy Out Loud!, and Bull City Indivisible.
Though Saturday’s brisk morning air was a cool shock following a particularly warm week, the chill seemed to invigorate the protesters. The plaza, home to the “Major the Bull” statue, was so packed that supporters poured onto surrounding closed-off streets.
Carolyn Blair, 69, had hurt her knee two weeks earlier but still wanted to attend the march. Wearing a lavender puffer jacket, Blair leaned on a wheeled mobility device as she listened to the opening singers. “How can I not be here?” Blair said. “I’m turning 70 this week, and I never thought this would happen.”
A variety of issues motivated the protesters, including the Trump administration’s handling of immigration crackdowns, the conflict in Iran, and the proposed SAVE America Act, which would tighten voting requirements for federal elections. Darline Rowe, a protest marshal, worried about the state of American democracy. “I’m trying to keep this country from sliding any further into fascism than it has already,” she said.
Couples, families, friends, and even pets were in attendance. Sami Poyner, who came with her friend and fellow healthcare worker Marki Braxton and her black and white spotted dog, said she has witnessed the impacts of the Trump administration’s recent policy changes on patients and colleagues. “With so much funding being cut for Medicaid, Medicare, and for research, people are getting laid off,” said Poyner.
Twenty-year-old UNC Chapel Hill undergraduate Ava Rayle sported black pigtail braids and carried a sign reading, “Eggs are so expensive because all the chickens are in Congress.” She said she worries about Trump’s attacks on higher education, which, as an international studies major, has started feeling close to home. The futures of six area studies centers at UNC — including the Center for European Studies and the African Studies Center — are in jeopardy following the loss of federal funding.
“I’m really wanting to focus on having our education widespread and accessible, which is something that’s becoming rare nowadays,” Rayle said as she readied to march from the plaza towards Durham Central Park.
Marchers waved American flags and hoisted sardonic signs such as, “Parroting some bros with a mic doesn’t count as your own research.” A group of protesters took creative liberties with the typical poster format, using a full-size beach volleyball net as the canvas for the slogan, “Hate Won’t Make Us Great.”
Others wore costumes to embody their sentiments. A Marie Antoinette look-a-like marched down Morris Street, donning a floor-length cream gown and a curly blonde wig styled in an updo. Another participant wore a “Handmaid’s Tale”-inspired red frock and white head covering, and a different woman sported a hard-shell taco costume inscribed with the words, “No Quiero Taco Hell!”
Ann Griffin, who wore a kelly green Engaged Defenders of Democracy sweatshirt, started attending the group’s various protests six months ago.
“I wasn’t sure it was doing anything, but then I have a neighbor who’s from Romania on a green card, and she thanked me for protesting,” said Griffin. “That made me feel like, well maybe it is doing something.”
Though anger may have pushed many participants to protest, at the rally they found laughter, singing, and community. “I feel like I’m among friends,” said Linda Abrams, an active member of Durham Democrats. “People have different agendas, but we’re really on the same page.”
Some attendees, like Rowe, never thought they’d get so involved in advocacy.
“I didn’t think I was going to do this in my retirement,” said Rowe, a member of Democracy Out Loud, Bull City Indivisible, and Engaged Defenders for Democracy. “I’m organizing to save democracy and playing pickleball.”
Pictured above: Crowds poured through downtown on Saturday during the No Kings march and rally — the city’s third such event. Photo by Yaa Bame — The 9th Street Journal
Olivia Prusky
