The phrase “Rejecting Kings Since 1776” hung over an Interstate 5 overpass in Chehalis Saturday morning as one of the first signs of the local kickoff of the nationally organized No Kings 2 protest.
Residents of Lewis County gathered in George Washington Park in downtown Centralia Saturday afternoon for the main event of the local protest, which kicked off at noon along with many others across the state and the country.
The Centralia demonstration was organized by local activist group Rural Lewis County Indivisibles and ROOTED in Lewis County. Organizers estimate the demonstration attracted more than 800 people over the course of the day using a crowd counter app and a conventional headcount.
Larger protests in the state also kicked off around noon in Seattle and Olympia. Other rural areas participated as well. Long Beach and Raymond, both in Pacific County, had their own protests, with organizers estimating the turnout in Long Beach at around 600 people and in Raymond about 175. Demonstrations on the West Coast all began at noon.
The No Kings 2 protest was organized nationally by a group of organizers and activists with the same name — No Kings. According to national reporting by National Public Radio and other outlets, the effort resulted in approximately 2,600 demonstrations across the country, all starting at the same time.
In Centralia, locals organized other demonstrations and events in addition to the protest. According to a news release from Rural Lewis County Indivisibles, the group orchestrated the raising of a banner on the Exit 77 overpass in Chehalis. Organizers also hosted signmaking efforts in the Centralia Timberland Library starting at 11 a.m. ahead of the main demonstration.
According to Rural Lewis County Indivisible organizer Susanne Weil, the event went off without trouble after being organized ahead of time with the approval of a permit for use of the park and cooperation with local law enforcement.
The protest event featured music by DJ Parker, a Mexican food truck, sidewalk chalk drawing, speeches from organizers, and an acapella performance from local singing group “The Raging Grannies.”
Organizers of the event also awarded prizes donated by Resist Reign to the winner of a rally sign contest.
Small numbers of counterprotesters reportedly arrived throughout the day, but the protest seemingly remained peaceful as no major incidents were reported.
“The overall energy of the protesters was joyful despite the serious theme of the protest,” Rural Lewis County Indivisible member Daniel Meekhof said. “Many protesters wore bright, colorful outfits and inflatable costumes as they danced to the music or marched around the park.”
