Thousands rally in Spokane for ‘No Kings 3,’ calling for democracy and human rights

By Gen Heywood | FāVS News Photographer

Several thousand people gathered Saturday at a Spokane park where North Division meets West Garland Avenue for “No Kings 3,” one of more than 3,000 such events held across the country. The atmosphere blended county fair and family reunion, with food trucks, information booths, live music and conversations about work, school and the state of the nation.

A faith vigil opened the event. Participants sang a version of “America the Beautiful” with alternate lyrics, and Ven. Thubten Chonyi, a Buddhist teacher from Sravasti Abbey, called on the crowd to recognize shared values across religious and nonreligious traditions.

“Declaring that all are created equal, all have the rights to life, liberty and happiness — now this is a very high aspiration,” she said. “And for ordinary people like us, it’s not easy to live every day. Because the seeds of anger, greed, hatred and indifference, they’re in all of us, too. And that’s why, over the last 250 years, Americans have voted, filed suit, marched, sung, rallied and died to make sure that our country adheres to the precious, noble values that we really hold in our hearts.”

The vigil also included remarks from the Rev. George Tayler and Brianna Dilts of Faith Action Network. Five participants read aloud the steps to take if confronted by Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents.

Jennyfer Mesa, speaking on behalf of Latinos en Spokane, urged the crowd not to go numb to current events.

“Change happens at the local level,” she said. “Don’t wait for a politician or for other people to save you. We need to save ourselves.”

At the Latinos en Spokane booth, board member Jesus Torres shared information about the organization’s monthly food program, farmers market, bilingual driver’s license program, business support program and financial coaching. The group also offers free or reduced-cost immigration legal services and works with the ACLU to help community members understand their rights.

Torres said demand for services has nearly doubled since January.

“A lot of our people just living in fear,” he said. “People don’t feel as comfortable going out and even shopping for food.”

He noted the organization had helped win 19 asylum cases and said he hopes to keep serving the community as long as needed.

At the Spokane Students for Human Decency booth, Claire McConnell, a senior at Lewis and Clark High School, and Emma Dwonch, a pre-med biology student at the University of Washington, encouraged young people to stay engaged.

“Most are taught so many things and encouraged, sometimes, to silence their voices,” McConnell said. “But we want to make sure these voices are heard.”

Derek Morrow, a disabled veteran and father of two, brought his boys to show them “what democracy looks like in our country, in a positive way.” As a former history teacher, he said he welcomed their questions and was glad to give them honest answers.

Among the speakers was Amanda Parrish, executive director of The Lands Council, who drew on ecology to make her point.

“Diversity is strength,” she said. “There is not an ecosystem, or an organism, or anything in the history of this planet, that has survived without diversity.”

Lisa Gardner reminded the crowd that the Spokane NAACP has been active in the community for more than 107 years.

“We’re not new to this. We’re true to this,” she said.

Kurtis Robinson, executive director of Revive Center for Returning Citizens, urged the crowd to vote and resist efforts to suppress that right.

“We must vote. We must be better. We must do better than we have ever done before,” he said.

Members of the Eastside Gladiators, some dressed as superheroes, were also on hand. The group has supported community organizations, encouraged voting and attended rallies since 2016. Member Shelly Merrill described what draws her back.

“I go home with a warmed heart,” she said. “The most positive thing is just the reaction of our community.”

Kelly Sutton, who moved to Spokane two years ago from northern Michigan, has attended all three “No Kings” events.

“We need to start remembering to make America follow the Constitution again,” she said.

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