Photos courtesy of John T. Breakey.
By: Tess Schmitt, Buzz Staff Writer
An estimated four thousand people filled Vander Veer Park in Davenport on Saturday, October 18, for the “No Kings” march, a peaceful protest organizers say is centered on democracy, equality, and freedom of expression.
Saint Ambrose University students, faculty and alumni were among those in attendance, showing their support for the community and democratic dialogue. Senior Cassie Kennedy said she joined the protest to stand for unity and open conversation. “I think there was a strong community with respectful symbols of liberation and democracy within a pretty conservative state.
“Different opinions politically represented there remained cordial. I hope that through the peaceful protests, there will be unifying things that can happen in the future.”
As people marched around the park, they were often met by passing cars honking in support. There were also a handful of pro-Trump supporters who were defending the current administration.
For other students, the No Kings Rally offered both inspiration and a sense of belonging.
Brendan Argenta, a senior public relations major, says, “I’m here to support as much as I can, it makes me feel good about the community. It’s fun seeing and reading all the signs.”
The protest is part of a growing national movement encouraging citizens to push back against political polarization and reaffirm the importance of civic engagement. According to the national organizations Indivisible and Move On, an estimated seven million people marched across the country. Organizers emphasized the event was not tied to any one political party but rather a call for fairness, accountability, and representation.
It was the first protest for Hayden Nelson, a freshman political science major, who says he was motivated by what he’s seen in the media and on the news. “It makes me feel good about the future, seeing everyone come out and voicing their opinions.”
Dr. Brittany Tullis, Dean of the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences at Saint Ambrose University, also participated and reflects on the broader importance of events like this one. “I am always glad to see a community come together and exercise their First Amendment right to peacefully assemble and make their voices heard.”
Tullis adds demonstrations like these strengthen local communities, regardless of individual political views. “While members of the Davenport/QC community espouse various political views and a wide variety of stances on adjacent issues, I hope we can all agree that when done in good faith, exercising and thereby maintaining our civil liberties empowers not only those individuals out protesting a given issue but the community as a whole.”
The demonstration ended with cheers and clapping as everyone gathered in the center of the park to hear closing remarks. Organizers thanked people for keeping the event peaceful and encouraged them to stay involved in their community.
