The protest in Gloucester County was sponsored by the United Progressive Democrats and was one of thousands that took place around the country on March 28.
More than 1,000 county residents from towns that included Mantua, Mullica Hill and Williamstown joined a No Kings protest on March 28 along Delsea and Dalton drives – on both sides of the streets – in Gloucester County.
The rally was sponsored by the United Progressive Democrats and was one of many that took place around the country at thousands of locations, drawing an estimated 8 million people to protest the administration of Donald Trump.
The county march in Glassboro was arranged by Rowan University professor Elizabeth Volz.
“Show them what democracy looks like!” Volz shouted into the megaphone she carried with her.
“This is what democracy looks like!” the crowd replied.
The No Kings’ protesters in the county carried signs not about one cause, but several, from Trump’s current war with Iran to the methods employed by ICE in its arrests of immigrants. Some of those at the Glassboro rally sported patriotic clothing, others showed up in costumes and one woman played music on her guitar.
The protest itself remained peaceful, with cars up and down the street honking their horns in support.
“It’s very clear, we are not the only ones,” Volz explained. “We are 1,000 strong and we’re not the only one. There are several within 20 minutes of here. I think it will be a very clear, loud message that people across the country do not like what’s been going on in Washington and want it to change.”
Kathy Innacone of Williamstown was dressed as the Statue of Liberty. The 76-year-old has protested Trump’s policies and actions since his first run for president in 2016. She also helped Volz set up a protest at the Mullica Hill library on March 22.
“It just proves what we’re all feeling,” Innacone explained, “that something needs to be done and we are the majority who needs to see a change. Just to see so many people and more and more as time goes on, things get crazier, the crowds become even more great.
“It’s gratifying.”
This county protest also saw appearances from Congressman Donald Norcross and Assemblywoman Heather Simmons.
“Two-hundred-and-fifty years ago, our founding fathers fought a war to free our nation from tyranny,” Norcross noted in his comments. “They believed in democracy and died to ensure that power in this country rests not with a single man, but with the people …
“He’s (Trump) trying to destroy this country; we won’t let him.”
“I stood with our community and millions of fellow Americans across this country to raise our voices in unison around a simple truth: Power belongs to the people,” said Simmons. “Here in South Jersey, in the shadow of Philadelphia’s Independence Hall – where our nation was born – that message carries even more weight.
“On the 250th anniversary of America, we aren’t just reflecting on our history, we’re reaffirming it.”
While the rally was considered a huge success for the United Progressive Democrats, they say the work is just beginning.
“This is an ongoing thing,” Volz noted. “A lot of these people are going to get involved in elections, they’re getting involved in mutual aid and service, other protests. This is really part of an ongoing effort.”
