The list of grievances against President Donald Trump and his administration is growing in the minds of protesters who gathered March 28 on the front lawn of the Shawano County Courthouse.
Part of a nationwide movement, the No Kings Rally was sponsored by the Shawano-Menominee Counties Democratic Party.
“Where do you begin? The list of grievances is so great,” said speaker Jeff Gillis, of the Town of Richmond.
He rattled off a list of issues of concern, including the tactics of Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Trump violating his oath of office, a worsening economy, health care, voting rights and an expanded use of executive power without oversight by Congress.
“We have no longer moral and upright-thinking people who stand up regardless of party and simply tell the truth,” Gillis said.
Others talked about the “chaos, corruption, cruelty and inhumanity” from the Trump administration.
Gillis said the status of the economy was among the reasons Trump defeated Kamala Harris in 2024. However, he said those economic indicators could hurt Trump and his allies in the November election, noting that prices are up, the stock market is down and retirement accounts are hurting.
“Look at the price of gas,” Gillis said. “the price of eggs is going up, and everybody thinks things are hunky-dory. No, I don’t think so.”
Jack Young was the first speaker, and he railed against Trump and his congressional supporters.
“Aren’t you tired of being lied to?” he asked the crowd of about 200 people.
He also made it a point to thank the city police department for their service and the Shawano County Sheriff’s Department for their stance against ICE.
“The reason I want to give them a hand is for not becoming one of them counties that does everything that ICE tells them to do,” Young said. “Our county chose not to participate in that program. We’re not about doing ICE’s job for them.”
Like other speakers, he urged protesters to be active, vote, advocate for change and share their beliefs with others.
“We’re here because it is the obligation of men and women of good will with love of country, love of family, love of neighbors, to peacefully rise up and protest the dismantling of our Constitution, the dismantling of basic human rights and the dismantling of our democracy as we’ve grown to love it,” Gillis said. “And rest assured, that’s exactly what’s happening right now.”
kpasson@newmedia-wi.com
Jack Young, foreground, leads marchers along Main Street to the county courthouse for a No Kings Rally over the weekend. He urged protesters to be active, vote, advocate for change and share their beliefs with others. (Kevin Passon | NEW Media)
Jeff Gillis, of the Town of Richmond, address the 200 people who gathered for the area’s third No Kings Rally on March 28. The local protest was part of a nationwide movement against the Trump administration and its policies. (Kevin Passon | NEW Media)
Steve Menard, of Shawano, holds a United States flag upside down at the No Kings Rally on March 28 at the Shawano County Courthouse. The inverted flag is a symbol of protest, indicating a nation in distress. (Kevin Passon | NEW Media)
