— submitted by Ellen Gordon on Saturday, April 19 —
The American Revolutionary War began 250 years ago today, when “The Shot Heard Round The World” was fired on April 19th, 1775, at Lexington, Massachusetts.
On this historical anniversary, as part of a nationwide day of protests, approximately three thousand people gathered in downtown Lexington, named in honor of that first battle of the American Revolution, to protest the Trump administration’s slide into tyranny.
The “No Kings Then, No Kings Now!” event included enthusiastic chants against the Trump administration’s policies; a drum circle; more than a dozen speakers; and a march through nearby streets. The crowd was loud, cheerful, and energized.
Speakers included activists in politics, civil rights, trans rights, education, union organizing, reproductive healthcare, and more. Among them was Dr. Craig J. Blair, founder of local activist group Peaceful Bluegrass Resistance, who noted the courage of those early colonists, and said, “We need to keep moving this country towards justice, towards equality, towards equity, towards tolerance. For 250 years we have said, ‘We can do better!’”
The crowd responded enthusiastically as speakers proclaimed opposition to the many harmful actions of the Trump administration, including the unlawful seizure and deportation of people who were in this country legally. Several signs declared “Bring Back Kilmar,” in reference to Kilmar Abrego Garcia, the Maryland father who was mistakenly deported to CECOT, in El Salvador.
Participants’ signs reflected opposition to a variety of other issues as well, including the gutting of the civil service, the destruction of government agencies doing critical work, the administration’s attacks on universities and the judiciary, and the complete lack of qualifications of so many on Trump’s team.
Participants appeared buoyed by the afternoon, with many saying they were looking forward to the next demonstration.
The event was presented by six local activist groups: Peaceful Bluegrass Resistance, 50501 Kentucky, Progress Kentucky, 120 United-AFT, Gathering for Democracy, and Bluegrass Activist Alliance.
