“No Kings” protesters gathered in the city Oct. 18, as well as several more Seacoast communities and about 2,500 locations around the nation, targeting what organizers call authoritarian actions by President Donald Trump.
Thousands of protesters in Portsmouth spoke out against Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents in masks carrying out the Trump administration’s mass deportation effort without, they say, due process. They are also upset over Trump sending National Guard troops into cities and him urging on off-cycle redistricting efforts designed to help Republicans in elections.
Republicans in Washington accused protesters of prolonging the govenment shutdown, hating America and being terrorists, USA TODAY reported.
Seacoast New Hampshire protests were planned in Portsmouth, Dover, Rochester and Newmarket, among nearly 30 statewide. Protests were also in York, Wells and Ogunquit, among many more Maine communities.
In April, thousands gathered in Portsmouth for the first “No Kings” protest and crowds gathered again in June in locations like Portsmouth and Dover.
Here’s a look at what people had to say during the Oct. 18 protest in Portsmouth, where protesters lined downtown streets:
Several protesters sported inflatable costumes depicting a variety of animals, and one of a cartoonish Trump. Dinosaur, frog, eagle, squirrel and turkey costumes were seen.
Jonny Levesque, a Portsmouth native and current Kittery, Maine resident, wore a polar bear costume with a message critical of ICE.
Levesque’s said his intention was to combine humor with the severity of the moment as ICE officials remove people from America’s streets. The Trump administration has deployed federal agents nationwide to remove suspected illegal immigrants, holding many in detention facilities while deporting others.
In July, four employees of La Carreta Mexican restaurant in Portsmouth were taken into custody by ICE agents. Later in the summer, ICE flights arrived and departed from at Portsmouth International Airport at Pease, prompting a series of protests locally.
Levesque grew tearful talking about ICE’s objectives.
“It’s absolutely terrifying that they’re taking people off the streets,” he said.
Levesque and his wife, Colleen Toomey, praised the Saturday protesters.
Toomey’s sign read: “Stop pretending your racism is patriotism.”
“I can’t believe I’m still doing this (expletive),” she said.
Music a big part of ‘No Kings’ protest
In front of the North Church, the Leftist Marching Band sent a message about Trump with a rendition of Billie Eilish’s “bad guy,” her 2019 hit song.
On the Market Street turn, one car blared Sabrina Carpenter’s “Manchild” in another dig at Trump. Two leather-clad motorcyclists slowed down to give protesters a taste of Twisted Sister’s 1984 song “We’re Not Gonna Take It.”
Between the screech of trumpets and the banging of drums, protesters chanted: “The people united will be never be divided!”
Portsmouth resident Michael Frandzel took a moment to duck into a side street and admire the crowd from afar.
“I’m feeling great that so many people support the movement,” he said.
Trump administration’s actions ‘not constitutional,’ protester says
Diane Tregea, a Durham resident, taught social studies at Oyster River for 30 years. Tregea and Lucy Gorham, a fellow Durham resident and her friend since first grade, leaned against the North Church, reading all the signs and listening to the cries of the crowd.
“What we’re seeing now is not constitutional,” Tregea said.
“You need to do something. Any little thing might help,” Gorham said.
Protesters waved signs making demands, calling for the release of the Epstein files and the removal of National Guard troops from American cities, opposing the actions of the Immigration and Customs Enforcement, and bashing the ongoing government shutdown.
Designated event peacekeepers and Portsmouth police kept a watchful eye on the crowd. Cars crawled along Congress Street, with drivers poking their phones through their sunroof to capture footage of the rally. Miniature and full-size American flags were spotted throughout the Square, held by attendees around downtown.
Rallying cries rang out among the crowd, with attendees calling for Trump to leave office.
This article originally appeared on Portsmouth Herald. Reporting by Ian Lenahan, Portsmouth Herald.
