Hayesville – More than 400 people gathered in neighboring Clay County on Saturday, participating in nationwide “No Kings” protests against President Donald Trump, with several dozen others holding a simultaneous counter-protest supporting the Make America Great Again movement.
The theme “No Kings” was created by the 50501 Movement. The group’s name stands for 50 states, 50 protests, one movement.
On its website, fiftyfifty.one, the group stated, “Join us in the fight to uphold the Constitution and end executive overreach.”
“No Kings is a nationwide day of defiance,” according to 50501. “From city blocks to small towns, from courthouse steps to community parks, we’re taking action to reject authoritarianism – and show the world what democracy really looks like,” according to the group.
“We’re not gathering to feed his ego. We’re building a movement that leaves him behind. The flag doesn’t belong to President Trump. It belongs to us. We’re not watching history happen. We’re making it.”
“No Kings” organizers said millions participated in hundreds of events across the nation. In western North Carolina, protests were held in Hayesville, Waynesville, Bryson City and Asheville.
“I’ve never seen anything like this before,” local resident Kathleen Seacrest told the Cherokee Scout on Saturday. “It’s very heartwarming, like a party. Everyone was in such a good mood.”
Saturday morning
“No Kings” participants started arriving at 11:30 a.m. for the noon-1 p.m. event on U.S, 64 Business, near the Clay County Historical & Arts Museum. By noon, at least 200 people were gathered and lined both sides of the street, with more arriving after finding a place to park.
Supporters driving by tapped their horns and shouted words of encouragement.
Shortly after noon, pro-Trump protesters arrived, including a group that staged in Murphy and convoyed to Hayesville. Many Trump supporters laid on their car horns as they drove by.
“Go home! one shouted while driving past the crowd. “Go back to Mexico!” another yelled.
“We are home!” someone yelled in reply.
Several pro-Trump protesters held signs on the west side of the street. An elderly man with a pistol holstered to his hip walked among the crowds wearing a T-shirt with the message, “I’m voting for the felon,” while shouting, “Go home, idiots” and “There’s only one King, Jesus Christ.”
As he circled the crowd and started for a second go-round up a hill, one “No Kings” participant commented, “You gotta admire his stamina.”
The Clay County Sheriff’s Office reported that there were no citations issued, and no arrests were made.
“Thankfully we had simultaneous peaceful demonstrations,” the sheriff’s office said in a release. “We are grateful to the event organizers who worked with the sheriff’s office to ensure safety remained a priority.”
Murphy protesters
Cherokee Guns organized a counter protest from Murphy, with participants staging at the Valley Village Shopping Center, location of Save-a-Lot – the store with the Dumpster where Eric Rudolph – the Olympic Park bomber – was captured in 2003.
“Saturday, June 14th!” Cherokee Guns announced on its website. “Lots going on 2day! Hayesville, NC has their lil’ anti Trump No Kings gathering...! The Trump Train leaves around 11A today from Save-a-Lot in Murphy! Driving around Murphy, then head’n to Hayesville!”
About 25 vehicles started in Murphy with a route around town before turning toward Hayesville.
The group was instructed by organizer Debi Alcorn of Murphy to be peaceful, safe and to leave the area if law enforcement officers asked. They were also asked not to honk their horns at a wedding on the square.
“Our purpose today is to let people know that patriots are here, they are in a red territory,” Alcorn said.
“We don’t want to cause any trouble, we want to be peaceful about Trump, America and our troops. We want to show a positive attitude – no yelling, and no screaming.”