On a recent Saturday, metro Atlanta became a hub for thousands gathering en masse to dissent against the current White House administration and its policies on immigration. The rallies were part of a nationwide wave of protests echoing similar sentiments, coincidentally timed on an important day. This day not only marked a celebratory military parade in Washington, honoring the Army’s 250th anniversary, but also served as the celebratory 79th birthday of President Donald Trump.
The journey to the demonstrations in Atlanta began at 10 a.m., where individuals from diverse backgrounds gathered and congregated at Liberty Plaza. This is a well-known site in downtown Atlanta, strategically positioned opposite the Georgia Capitol. The sprawling lawns of the plaza, filled to the brim with impassioned citizens, created an awe-inspiring sight and made the view of the grass almost negligible due to the overwhelming capacity reached.
This protest was a series of organised rallies throughout the day, collectively referred to as ‘No Kings’ events. The rallies were attended by thousands, but not all, of enthusiastic participants showed up at the first rally, setting an empowering tone for the day’s upcoming events.
Being responsible for this well-organized dissent were various entities, among which the Indivisible Georgia Coalition claimed significant credit. As part of their efforts, they assembled a team of over 100 trained volunteers to ensure the safety of the event. This team included personnel such as medics and marshals, prepared to handle any situation that might arise during the protest.
The event saw massive turnout, with about a thousand attendees who collectively sent out a clear message. To express their varied but unified sentiment, many attendees held aloof signs with powerful phrases including ‘Protect the Constitution’, ‘Resist tyranny’, and ‘Veterans against Trump’.
Among those who came to voice their point of view on the matter was Mary Ellen Burgoon. This determined 68-year-old woman emphasized the critical need to act now, crediting the inspiration to participate in the protest to her late father. According to her, he had instilled in her the courage to not just blindly accept every narrative, but to question it and form her own informed opinions.
Another noticeable voice at the protest was John Davidson, an Air Force veteran who served from 1974 to 1980. With strong words, he expressed his fear of what he perceived as a ‘fascist’ governmental takeover. He accompanied his statement with a telling poster that read, ‘Draft-dodging first felon deserves jail, not a parade!’, sending a clear message of dissent against the leadership.
Simone Mitchell, a significant name among the community and a long-term Atlanta citizen at the age of 66, was also present at the protest. She shared that her attendance had a personal aspect, driven by concerns for the future of her granddaughters and grandsons. Mitchell voiced concerns about the current status of democracy and recent immigration enforcement actions.
While the protest was passionate, it was also peaceful. Georgia’s local law enforcement agencies, together with state leaders, have noted that they are supportive of peaceful protests. However, the Governor, Brian Kemp, conveyed a strong message that any violent activities would not be countenanced.
In the week leading to the rally, the dynamic was tense following a separate Tuesday night protest along Buford Highway. This protest had started in a peaceful manner around 6:30 p.m., but it escalated when a few individuals chose to stay past the stipulated time as indicated in the assembly permit. The reluctance to disperse to observe the regulations led to the need for a response from the police in riot gear around 9:40 p.m., culminating in the arrest of six individuals.
Similar situations were erupting in other parts of the country as well. In Los Angeles, for example, widespread protests against immigration raids motivated a response from the president. This resulted in the deployment of 700 U.S. Marines and a substantial force of approximately 4,000 National Guard servicemen and women.
Back in Atlanta, as the ‘No Kings’ protest kicked off, nationwide pleas were made, advocating for the demonstrations to remain peaceful. Before the situation could escalate, several states like Texas and Missouri undertook proactive measures, with necessary steps taken to activate their National Guard.
In Florida, a firm stance was maintained by local law enforcement, echoing Georgia’s sentiments. Brevard County Sheriff Wayne Ivey made it clear that any form of violence towards law enforcement officials would just not be tolerated. Despite the simmering tension in the atmosphere, the officials encouraged a non-violent expression of differing perspectives.