By RICK MILLER
Olean Star
More than 300 people participated in the No Kings in America march in Olean Saturday afternoon, walking from Delaware Park Centre to Lincoln Park, where their numbers surged to more than 400.
The protest march was one of more than 2,000 in cities and towns across America. Organizers, the 50501 group, estimated up to 5 million took part in the demonstrations protesting a wide range of policies by President Trump.
“What does Democracy look like?” leaders shouted into bullhorns as the march got underway at 2 p.m. from the Big Lots parking lot. “This is what Democracy looks like,” came the response from marchers, who included more younger people than in local demonstrations over the past three months. More than half the marchers appeared to be in their sixties and seventies.
Mary Brooks and Liz Boyer, both of Randolph, carried the large blue No Kings banner at the head of the march.
“I’m here to protest the Trump administration,” Brooks said. “The ‘Big Beautiful Bill’ passed by the House threatens Medicaid, healthcare and our hospitals.”
Boyer said she was protesting what looks like rising “authoritarianism and facism in this country and to defend our democracy.”
Cars and other vehicles honked in support as the marchers made their way down North Union Street toward State and Union.
Once the marchers arrived at Lincoln Park, they started to spread out on the sidewalk along East State Street and on both sides of South Union Street near the roundabout.
Waving their signs, the chants began. “Hey, Hey, Ho, Ho. Donald Trump has got to go.” Passing vehicles honked their horns in support.
One man drove by several times with an American flag and a Trump flag flying from his car, using a bullhorn to belittle the demonstrators. “Happy birthday Donald Trump,” he shouted into the bullhorn while driving.
Another man rode his bicycle back and forth numerous times sporting a large American flag and a No Kings sign.
A counter demonstrator across the street from the Lincoln Park rally waved a large American flag and spoke with supporters who agreed with him, while occasionally raising his voice to protesters. He shouted at the bicyclist not to let the flag drag on the ground.
A woman from Caneadea in Allegany County, carried a sign that read: “$45 million for a parade and not for Vets.”
She said, “I will not remain silent,” and seemed to take comfort in the large number of like-minded people that surrounded her. She didn’t want her name used.
Lily Anna, a young woman from Wellsville, said she too, was “fighting for our democracy.” She said it’s very important for people to express their opposition to what is happening.
Another woman said she joined the local No Kings march
“to help save our country. Don’t use my name. One of my kids doesn’t like it (demonstrations). The other would be here. I’m worried we’re going to become an oligarchy.” Kitty Cooley of Portville was concerned Elon Musk and DOGE did too much cutting to Medicaid, social services and Health and Human Services while spending millions on a military parade for Trump’s birthday. Democracy is on the line. Everybody should be aware of that.”
Former Olean Mayor Linda Witte took part in the demonstration at Lincoln Park. “There are over 300 people here. People have to get out and voice their opinions.” She said the “scariest part” of the $800 billion in Medicaid cuts passed by the House is the effect on Olean General Hospital. “They could have to cut back or close down.”
While she wasn’t carrying a sign, if she had one it would simply say: “Try to be human.”
Athena Godet-Calogerus said of Trump, “It doesn’t seem that he cares about people. Our country is one of the wealthiest in the world and they are treating people like they don’t matter.” She carried a sign that said: “For health’s sake, No cuts to Medicaid. In Cattaraugus County, one-third rely on Medicaid.
Kelly Chaffee sat nearby carrying a sign that read: “ Trump is not a King. He is a joker.”
Deb Ensell of Portville said she was participating in the No Kings protest “because I have a real fear about the direction the country is going in. I feel I have to do my part to help us save our democracy.”
Shelbi, who did not give her last name, said she was there “to fight fascism. This administration has taken us too far and crossed lines they should not have.” She was one of the leaders with bullhorns leading chants.
While between 450 and 500 people may seem like a small number compared to many of the 2,000 other No Kings marches, it is a big number for Olean — the biggest since local protests began in front of Rep. Nick Langworthy’s Olean district office on North Union Street in March, said Jessica Davis, one of the march’s co-creators.
She said she was protesting the “trans madness” the administration continues to whip up. She said she has a non-binary child she fears for with all the hate speech directed toward trans people.
Trump “is trashing the Constitution, defying the Supreme Court and he seized LA,” Davis said. “He is putting the military in blue stats and blue cities. He has done nothing but divide us. We are supposed to be Americans. I didn’t think it would get so bad this soon.”
Robert Evans, another local No Kings march co-creator, said it was good to see so many people and that “more young kids are out here.” The demonstrations are going to continue, he added.
One of those young people, Ray Maynard, an Olean High School student and head of the Book Club, said, “What Trump is doing is bad and is ruining people’s lives.” The sign she carried read: “Immigrants are people too!” She came with her parents, who sat nearby.
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All Rights Reserved. Star News LLC. Eric M. Firkel.
