No Kings rally in Veterans Square
Veterans Square was packed Saturday afternoon as residents came together to express their discontent with the current administration during the local iteration of the nationwide No Kings Day of Defiance protest.
Roughly 100 people attended the event, despite the rain. Several car horns honked or drivers called out. Some people were in support and others in opposition. A smoke bomb was set off at one point. In today’s charged political environment, Dr. Tracee Howell said, such tensions are expected.
The gathering was one of many protests held nationwide, timed to contrast with a large celebration in Washington, D. C., recognizing the Army’s 250th anniversary and Flag Day, while it also happens to be President Donald Trump’s birthday.
“The parade seems questionable,” said the Rev. Lee Beckes as he addressed the crowd. “It costs well over $40 million at a time when veteran services are being reduced and many veterans who worked in government offices are being fired.”
Beckes went on to describe the D.C. celebration as “a parade better suited to Tiananmen Square, Red Square or North Korea.” His remarks were met with enthusiastic cheers and applause from the crowd.
Throughout the rally, attendees sang patriotic songs led by Joe Fitz, including the “Star Spangled Banner” and “My Country ‘tis of Thee.” The event closed with a rousing rendition of “America the Beautiful.”
Speaker Peter Palumbo emphasized the enduring significance of the Pledge of Allegiance.
“We must continue to embrace and proudly celebrate the pledge,” said Palumbo. “Not just to honor our country but the ideal of liberty that is represented by that flag.”
Veteran Sam Sylvester shared a moving story from the biography of the late Sen. John McCain. While held as a prisoner of war in Vietnam, McCain had a cellmate who had crafted a makeshift American flag from fabric scraps. The pair would recite the Pledge of Allegiance together every day. Even after the guards discovered the flag, destroyed it and beat him, his cellmate made another.
“That flag was more than scraps of cloth,” said Sylvester. “It is what brings us together.”
Howell began protesting the current administration on July 1, 2024, after the Supreme Court ruled that the president is immune from criminal prosecution.
“For the first time the presumption that no one is above the law had been irrevocably and unconstitutionally shattered,” Howell said. She recalled standing alone holding up protest signs in Olean, N..Y She said two people joined her that day. She expressed gratitude to see how the movement has since grown.
“I am overjoyed to be with you and millions all across the country today making our voices heard,” said Howell.
Howell reflected on the oath taken by the original farmers and immigrants who signed up for the Continental Army, drawing a parallel to modern-day efforts to protect democracy.
“As we fight today to keep our democracy, let us remember the fight of those who came before us,” said Howell.
Several speakers voiced concern about immigration policies and recent ICE deportations.
“I just want to point out that last year there were 8,000 people who were not yet citizens that served in our U.S. military and I think that is a profound thing,” said Beckes.
Peter Colomaio also voiced his support of immigrants and noted that America is a nation filled with people whose families originally came from somewhere else.
“Unless one is Native American, we are all here through immigration,” said Colomaio. He highlighted the challenges immigrants face on the road to citizenship.
“Many of them learn more about the Constitution than you or I know,” said Colomaio.
Much like members of the armed forces or federal employees, new citizens swear an oath of loyalty to the United States as part of their induction ceremony.
“Immigrants swear an oath not to the president or party but to the constitution itself,” said Colomaio.
Halina Harris is currently a United States citizen, but she was born in Ukraine and spent her childhood in Belarus. She became a citizen in September 2011 and vividly recalled the pride she felt during her naturalization ceremony.
“It was a very meaningful event for me,” said Harris. “I was so proud to be in a room of people from every possible race and ethnicity from around the world all becoming citizens together.”
That diversity, she added, is the heart of America’s strength.
“Diversity is the core of our identity as Americans,” said Harris. “It is what makes our nation strong, beautiful and unique.”
Air Force veteran Jim Evans, whose wife is an immigrant from Canada, echoed that sentiment.
“Immigrants do make America great,” said Evans. “I can attest to that.”
Evans said the oaths he took in service emphasized equality under the law.
“The president is no more important than a soldier or sailor or anyone else,” said Evans. “We swore to defend the Constitution, not the president.”
He also questioned the need for an expensive military parade to demonstrate national strength.
Liz Rodriguez, another Air Force veteran who is also a retired federal employee, reflected on taking the same oath twice – once to join the military and once to enter government service. Having made those promises, she felt compelled to come and speak today.
“My duty to the Constitution has called me again,” said Rodriguez. “Our duty as Americans has brought us together once more.”
Rodriguez said that the government is underestimating the public.
“We get what is happening to us and against us,” said Rodriguez. “We will never bend a knee to a king – ever!”
The Hon. John Cleland, retired, spoke about the importance of understanding and defending the Constitution.
“America is the land of the people; the land of the free; not the land of kings,” said Cleland.
Describing the Constitution as “a small book with big ideas,” Cleland urged everyone to read it and understand what it contains.
“We have to be aware because right now this is not a country being led by someone who believes in the Constitution,” said Cleland.
He acknowledged the deep political divides in the country right now but stressed the importance of open dialogue.
“I think we all have friends or relatives that we can’t talk to about these things but we have to talk about them,” said Cleland. “We have to find some common ground.”
