Thousands in Connecticut turned out at 50 No Kings rallies across the state on October 18. From 12,000 in Hartford to several thousands in New Haven, Stamford, Westport, Guilford, Glastonbury, New London, and many smaller towns, a collective voice gave hope.
Speakers from Indivisible, unions, civil liberties, immigrant rights and elected officials urged continued action to block the cruel policies of MAGA / Trump and emphasized the need to get out the vote.
In New Haven, Unite Here leader Rev Scott Marks made a ringing call for solidarity to stop the attacks and move forward for economic and social justice. Leslie Blatteau New Haven Federation of Teachers president drew from the lessons of the African American civil rights movement.
In Hartford, SEIU and AFT members and CT Students for a Dream marched to the Capitol with postcards to the Governor demanding spending priorities for the people not billionaires, in support of immigrant families and protecting the social safety net They joined a massive and peaceful crowd.
In New London, Ed Hawthorne, CT AFL-CIO president, said unions are the answer to the war on workers. Pointing to the dockyard across the Thames River, Hawthorne congratulated the UAW for standing up to Electric Boat, being ready to strike, and winning historic wage increases. This “bottom up” organizing was the way to build a better society.
3,000 people rallied under the Soldiers and Sailors Monument to tell Trump he is not a king, and say no to dictatorship and war. They want peace, democracy, and human rights. As the square filled, people stood across the street and high above in the parking garage.
Hung between two street lamps, a banner read “WE THE PEOPLE!” A young student read the Declaration of Independence citing the invasion of our cities, the lawless and violent attacks on our immigrant communities to say Donald Trump is more lawless than King George.
Rep. Courtney and Sen. Blumenthal decried Trump's reckless attacks on democracy. The audience thundered with applause when Blumenthal said he would hold the line to defend healthcare. More than ever, it was important to remain united.
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