SECOND YEAR, LARGER CROWD
Some stayed for a while, while others stayed from start to finish.
Regardless, when it was all said and done, approximately 60 people took part in last Saturday’s No Kings rally at the corner of Hancock and Wilkinson streets, in front of the courthouse.
The first local No Kings rally was held last October in the same spot, although attendance was smaller.
The “No Kings” label, originally coined on Reddit, eventually became the 50501 political movement, representing 50 protests, 50 states, 1 movement. 50501 organized the first round of No Kings rallies, which took place last June. However, since that time, a more centralized organization, Indivisible, has emerged and was responsible for coordinating most of last Saturday’s 3,000-plus rallies nationwide.
Milledgeville/Baldwin County doesn’t have a chapter of Indivisible, according to Sheri Johnson, who helped organize last Saturday’s rally. This is why Milledgeville didn’t show up on any official list of planned No Kings rallies prior to Saturday.
“It was more organic. It’s something we sort of put together on our own,” she said. Melba Burrell, who also helped organize last Saturday’s rally, said she is currently registering Milledgeville with Indivisible.
“Our democracy is being challenged. The best thing we can do is stand up and not stay silent any longer,” Burrell said.
The rally here in Milledgeville and most other places skewed older.
“It was a little disappointing,” said Johnson. “I think it’s mainly because the younger generation takes for granted what we had and doesn’t realize what we’re losing.”
Added Burrell: “I think a lot of it is generational. For those (around my age), many of us grew up protesting in the ‘60s and ‘70s, and it just seems more normal.”
Naturally, some of the motorists who drove by the rally on Saturday made their opinions known without speaking.
“We were flipped off a few times, but just about all of it was positive. People would honk and wave or give a thumbs up,” said Johnson. “It was a great day.”