On Saturday, March 28th, NO KINGS RALLIES were held nationwide. Right here in Stratford, a large crowd of over 100 people gathered in front of Town Hall with signs, chants, and solidarity, but for what?
NO KINGS RALLIES originated in response to President Donald Trump’s hope to have his birthday (June 14th) recognized with a parade and celebrations throughout the streets of Washington D.C. This year on June 14th, President Trump has organized a celebration to include a UFC (Ultimate Fighting Championship) fight on the South Lawn, according to ESPN, to honor his 80th birthday.
The NO KINGS organization, which holds virtual trainings, provides toolkits for organizers, education and more, says on their website: Our peaceful movement is only getting bigger. “No Kings” is more than just a slogan; it is the foundation our nation was built upon. Born in the streets, shouted by millions, carried on posters and chants, it echoes from city blocks to rural town squares, uniting people across this country to fight dictatorship together. Because this country does not belong to kings, dictators, or tyrants. It belongs to We the People — the people who care, who show up, and who fight for dignity, a life we can afford, and real opportunity. No Thrones. No Crowns. No Kings.
Our local rally was organized by Stratford resident Sonya Huber. There were rallies in our neighboring towns, including Fairfield, New Haven and Milford, as well as other towns and cities across Connecticut. Sonya said in an interview with the Crier, “I’ve been involved with organizing since I was in my 20’s, around environmental, disability, labor, and anti-racism work. Probably the point at which I was most involved was when I organized a community-labor coalition in Columbus, Ohio, and in doing the 2017 Disability March.”
One young protester, Lera De Silva, aged 10, said, “Peace matters and so do our lives.” She held a poster during the rally, and endured hearing expletives and seeing middle fingers directed at her during the protest. Her mom, Dinushka De Silva, shared with us, “When I watch the news at night, my daughter always asks about why there is war and why America is at war. She asks what we can do to help with peace. So I said, ‘Be the voice of goodness and truth’, and so we protested together. Her sign was about peace and mine was Democracy First. This is our right as Americans. And I’m teaching her that her voice matters.”
Another protester, Orna Rawls, shared that she sensed, “A strong feeling of community, camaraderie and determination to protect democracy was felt by all.”
As Sonya said, and many others agreed, including Orna, Lera and Dinushka, “Saturday’s NO KINGS RALLY in Stratford was an opportunity to come together to express outrage about the violence committed by ICE against our neighbors. No Kings is a nationwide network organized as a coalition beginning in 2025, and this has been the third national day of action. It’s very important for visibility to show the current federal government that we are not okay with everything that is being done in our name, from attacks on trans people to the bombing of Iran. The range of issues is overwhelming for many of us, and we need to find strength in each other.”
Want to get involved but unsure where to go or which organization you identify with most? Check out the list below provided by Sonya.
Local Organizations:
Stratford Network by filling out this form.
Stratford Forward reach out if you have an idea of what you’d like to do to make Stratford a more civic-minded town.
National Organizations:
Democratic Socialists of America
Sonya said it best, “We have so many caring and concerned people in Stratford, and I believe connecting with our neighbors and friends will help get us through the hard times.”
In the words of a child, your life and voice matter—how will you use yours?
