Protestors Overwhelm Venice streets

It was predicted to be the largest No Kings protest that our country has ever seen, and the day did not disappoint across the nation. Over 7 million people protested in over 2,700 locations nationwide and in over 80 locations in Florida. In Venice, we had about 3,000 No Kingsers; that’s about 1,000 more than for the June protest. Protestors rallied around Beihl Park next to the Venice Theatre, and on surrounding streets and even flowed over the Tamiami Bridge on Tamiami Trail.

And we are very happy to say that there were no “incidents” or any police actions in Venice. Two police officers were on hand for crowd and traffic control.

The Republican branding of the protest as a “Hate America” day turned out to be exactly the opposite. The morning was filled with Americans who were jovial, energetic, upbeat and serious about saving America from president Trump and his angry hateful cadre of destructionists. Several protestors displayed “Love America” signs as the best theme for the day.

Several young people, and a group from the Venice High School Democratic Club added to the mix of other folks, many of whom are worried about their health insurance premium prices skyrocketing, or being taken away by the disputed bill in Congress that caused the government shutdown. Many older Americans are concerned about their Social Security payments and benefits being tampered with and how the defunding of Medicaid might affect them.

Horn-honking filled the morning hours as passing cars waved their hands, displayed their own signs, and waved American flags in support of the protest.

The crowd was a happy mix of Democrats, independents and non-party affiliates, some Republicans, Canadians and visitors who decided they wanted to join the day because they felt the same way. Some farmers even showed up to protest about farm labor shortage, crop harvesting and the future of the markets for their produce.

We in Venice feel very grateful that so many residents showed up and that the event was peaceful, high spirited and the right place to be to help save our democracy.