Thousands of people throughout Iowa joined others across the country in the second “No Kings” protest against President Donald Trump and the Trump administration’s policies on Saturday.Several dozen rallies were scheduled across Iowa, joining 2,500 events nationwide.Roughly 200-300 protestors attended events in Indianola and Ankeny. Over 1,000 people joined the rally in Des Moines, held outside of the Iowa Statehouse on the steps.Despite uniting under the “No Kings” phrase, protestors had a variety of reasons for coming out.”People’s rights to criticize the current administration are being trampled on,” said Mike Schweiger, of St. Charles. Karl Schilling, a Vietnam veteran from Des Moines, says his time in the armed forces encouraged him to show up.”It’s what being in the service was all about,” he said. “To support the government, protect the constitution, stand up for rights.”Others, like Talia Prozument of Des Moines, say today’s protests were all about changing policy. “I’m part of a research study through the National Institutes of Health, and it lost some of its funding,” she said. “I’m just sick and tired of people trying to erase disabled experiences.”But even those indirectly impacted, like Sheila Bingaman, say these protests are about moving forward while not forgetting history.”We no longer have dictators in this country. My ancestors fought in the American Revolution. We got rid of them; we don’t want them back,” she said.Several Republican elected officials shared statements about the protests with KCCI. You can read them below.Statement from Gov. Kim Reynolds: “The fact that they are protesting goes against their very narrative.”Statement from U.S. Sen. Joni Ernst:”Shame on the left for focusing on sowing chaos while Democrats refuse to do their jobs to open the government so it can serve the American people.”Statement from U.S. Rep. Zach Nunn:”In America, we don’t have a King, we have a Constitution. That means every Iowan, every American, has the right to speak out and be heard, even when we disagree. As a combat veteran and current Air Force Colonel, I took an oath to defend those freedoms in uniform, and I take that oath just as seriously in Congress. But we also need to be honest: while far-left funded protestors have the right to take to the streets, their divisive message is the reason our government is shut down. I’m staying focused on reopening the government, paying our troops, and delivering results for Iowans.”
Thousands of people throughout Iowa joined others across the country in the second “No Kings” protest against President Donald Trump and the Trump administration’s policies on Saturday.
Several dozen rallies were scheduled across Iowa, joining 2,500 events nationwide.
Roughly 200-300 protestors attended events in Indianola and Ankeny. Over 1,000 people joined the rally in Des Moines, held outside of the Iowa Statehouse on the steps.
Despite uniting under the “No Kings” phrase, protestors had a variety of reasons for coming out.
“People’s rights to criticize the current administration are being trampled on,” said Mike Schweiger, of St. Charles.
Karl Schilling, a Vietnam veteran from Des Moines, says his time in the armed forces encouraged him to show up.
“It’s what being in the service was all about,” he said. “To support the government, protect the constitution, stand up for rights.”
Others, like Talia Prozument of Des Moines, say today’s protests were all about changing policy.
“I’m part of a research study through the National Institutes of Health, and it lost some of its funding,” she said. “I’m just sick and tired of people trying to erase disabled experiences.”
But even those indirectly impacted, like Sheila Bingaman, say these protests are about moving forward while not forgetting history.
“We no longer have dictators in this country. My ancestors fought in the American Revolution. We got rid of them; we don’t want them back,” she said.
Several Republican elected officials shared statements about the protests with KCCI. You can read them below.
Statement from Gov. Kim Reynolds:
“The fact that they are protesting goes against their very narrative.”
Statement from U.S. Sen. Joni Ernst:
“Shame on the left for focusing on sowing chaos while Democrats refuse to do their jobs to open the government so it can serve the American people.”
Statement from U.S. Rep. Zach Nunn:
“In America, we don’t have a King, we have a Constitution. That means every Iowan, every American, has the right to speak out and be heard, even when we disagree. As a combat veteran and current Air Force Colonel, I took an oath to defend those freedoms in uniform, and I take that oath just as seriously in Congress. But we also need to be honest: while far-left funded protestors have the right to take to the streets, their divisive message is the reason our government is shut down. I’m staying focused on reopening the government, paying our troops, and delivering results for Iowans.”
