Letter: Warwick No Kings Crowd Probed

Photo by Dixie Comeau

This is in response to Jessica Cohen’s “Dear Reader” from June 23. I was dismayed by Cohen’s assumption that there are “two” camps – liberal and conservative – in our community. Her implication was that the people who turned out for the “No Kings” demonstration were “liberals.” I decided to interview some people who were there, most of whom I didn’t know beforehand.

Almost everyone I spoke expressed disgust by being labelled. They said “labels” push people apart. Someone told me they were a “middle of the road” Democrat looking for compromise. Someone else said they are an independent, neither Democrat or Republican. Someone else mentioned seeing friends who are Republican but they came to demonstrate because they don’t like Trump. And, someone else said, “I like some of the things Trump does but I don’t like Kings.”

One person said she was a fiscal conservative but a social liberal because she cared so much about people. She mentioned that the minimum federal wage was still $7.25 an hour and federal programs were being cut. She wanted to see a living wage, so people wouldn’t need food stamps. Another woman said she is “a moderate.” A gentleman mentioned how many veterans he saw at the demonstration and knew they were patriots. Someone else said they saw many trade unionists. Someone else said they were at the demonstration because federal programs for students were being cut. Someone else cited the cuts to scientific research. No one said they were at the “No Kings” demonstration because they are a “liberal.”

Not surprisingly, people also spoke to me about their family histories that included immigration stories. Unless one is African American or Native American, our ancestors came to this country for a better life. Some said that if a migrant is trying to do everything right, they shouldn’t be considered a “criminal.” One woman told me her grandparents made her father leave Ireland because he was a member of the IRA and his life was in danger. He came “illegally.” He ended up a New York cop.

Gail Buckland

Warwick, NY.

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