For some people, it’s President Donald Trump’s relentless attacks on the Constitution and civil rights for immigrants, minorities, and women. For others, it’s cuts to the federal government to fund tax breaks for the richest Americans. And now, for many, it is the mobilization of federal troops to stop peaceful protests around the country.
There are multiple reasons that more than 1,800 communities, including St. John and St. Thomas, are scheduling rallies to protest the Trump administration’s actions on Flag Day, June 14, which falls on Saturday. It also happens to be Trump’s birthday and the day he chose for a military parade in Washington, D.C., that is estimated to cost up to $45 million.
Working with the group Indivisible, the St. John Social Action Team has spent weeks organizing the event on St. John, which begins at 5 p.m. Saturday at the National Park dock in Cruz Bay.
Speakers include Hadiya Sewer, Abigail Hendricks, Devin Murphy, and Leontyne Jones. At 5:30 p.m., rally-goers will march toward the post office, past the public ferry dock and Slim Man’s Parking, along the waterfront in front of Lovango Rum Bar, and then down the hill to Frank Bay. The event culminates with a sunset celebration including live music at Frank Bay.
Permits have been secured for the route, and action team members are organizing volunteers to ensure safety, distribute water, pick up trash, and organize accommodations for participants with mobility issues.
For further information or to volunteer, go to the Social Action Team’s Facebook page.
On St. Thomas, the Saturday march is scheduled to begin at the Wilmoth Blyden Terminal on the waterfront, under the Petite Pump Room Bar & Restaurant, at 11 a.m. Marchers will wave flags as they proceed peacefully along the waterfront to an end point near the Yacht Haven Grande, according to organizer Jane Higgins.
“There’s no ceremony or speakers,” said Higgins. “We just want to show our resistance to the president’s policies and show that we believe in democracy. And we really wish we could vote for president.”
Higgins said her first experience protesting was when she was a high school student marching against the Vietnam War in 1968. “It looks like my generation has to do this over and over again,” she said. For further information, go to the No Kings website for St. Thomas.
For both rallies, participants are asked to make signs to carry and be prepared to de-escalate the situation if counterprotesters yell or become aggressive.
“We gather in love,” said Erin Lieb of the St. John Social Action Team. “Each of us matters, and we each have a role in this fight.”
