Dear Editor: On Saturday March 28, more than 420 people marched and rallied as part of the Sheet’ká No Kings 3 protest in support of our Constitution and against the authoritarianism actions of the Trump regime.
We were one of 3,300 protests nationwide, with 25 in Alaska, including Hoonah (thank you, Hoonah!). Over eight million people participated in No Kings 3, the largest single-day peaceful protest in the nation’s history. We the people understand our rights, our Constitution, and the degradation of each this year. Trump’s attempts to rule through oppression have called Americans across the nation to respond through morally grounded and nonviolent protest. If he believes we will roll over and let him take our freedoms, hurt our neighbors, and engage in illegal and amoral wars, he, and Stephen Miller are gravely mistaken.
Thank you to David Robert Boxley for the use of his beautiful Ptarmigan squadron design which helped us raise $350 for Sitka Food Coalition’s free monthly community dinner and $360 for ACLU Alaska. We are grateful to all the helpers: the marchers, graphic artists, the sign makers, the peacekeepers, the choir/chanters, the cookie makers, the voter registrars, Bobbi Jordan and Caitlin Blaisdell for their beautiful photography, Ted Howard for his sound equipment, and to the Sitka Pioneers Home for use of Totem Square.
We are thankful to our wonderful speakers, ranging in age from 15 to 70, highlighting the assault on due process and the rule of law; discrimination against LGBTQ+ and the tacit approval of bullying by this President; the dangers of White Christian Nationalism; and the need to build a country that finally works for everyone not just the chosen few. Finally, we are grateful for Sitka, both the beauty of Língit Aaní and the people here who support our first amendment right to peacefully protest.
The No Kings protests are one tactic in a movement that will take many forms of pushback and resistance to build the type of community and country that truly supports equity, due process, and freedom for all, nourishing people through affordable housing, food, health care, and public services. What’s next? There is a nationwide May Day strike and boycott: Workers over billionaires! No work, no school, no commerce on May 1. https://maydaystrong.org
Your voice matters, keep standing up.
Tory OʼConnell Curran,
Bruce Gazaway, Travis Hudson, Joann Torgeson, Donna Donohoe, Cindy Litman, Ann Walter,
Pat Kehoe, and Jess for
Sitkans for Peace and Democracy
