OCEAN COUNTY – The latest nationwide No Kings rally returned to the county with protestors expressing their continued distrust and outrage toward President Donald Trump’s policies at three locations. Nationwide an estimated 8 million people took part at 3,300 events.
The event turned streets, beaches, parks, and even weddings into the largest single-day nonviolent protest in modern American history. Protestors came out in opposition of a variety of subjects including Trump’s immigration enforcement practices, the economy, the war in Iran he instituted along with Israel, shuffling of his cabinet members and his efforts to federalize the upcoming November election.
No Kings rallies have been taking place along Hooper Avenue, Toms River for more than a year now starting off originally in front of the Ocean County Mall. The rally moved down the street in front of 1055 Hooper Avenue in front of the Veterans Administration Clinic.
Sharon Quilter-Colucci of Ortley Beach was among those who helped coordinate the latest Toms River rally stating the purpose was to gather and “to peacefully acknowledge our displeasure with our government right now. Typically, we have triple the number of attendees versus signups.”
She noted that the most prominent topics of the many issues of concern were “the Iran War, veterans benefits and (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) ICE. The SAVE act is generating a great deal of animosity as well. Voting should be a basic American right for all citizens without cost. People are frustrated.”
Quilter-Colucci noted that “since we are in front of the VA Clinic, many veterans attend our rallies. We actually have one in particular who has made up over 800 flag pins.”
The Jersey Shore Immigrant Support Coalition gave out whistles and cards explaining how to keep safe.
Similar protests have also been held in front of 4th District Congressman Chris Smith’s office, which is located close to the protest point on Hooper Avenue.
Jersey Shore Online.com has made numerous efforts to reach the Republican representative on his position concerning Trump’s policies, commentary and actions and calls from his constituents that he host a town hall meeting this year, something that has not occurred in 20 years. While contact has been made with his staff members, no response has yet been received.
Two other No Kings rallies took place in Ocean County at Lacey and Lakewood.
Toms River resident Ed Bognacki was among the estimated 5,000 attendees at the Toms River rally and much of what he had to say summed up many of the views that were expressed during the rally.
“One of the things I am concerned about is the freedom of the press. I have seen Donald Trump and his minions take over the media and are clamping down any kind of discussion he doesn’t like,” he said.
“ICE is out of control. The way they are treating people – not just the immigrant criminals that Trump said he would go – after but American citizens like those here today peacefully protesting,” he added. “I feel our freedoms are being eroded by the Trump administration. All the freedoms that we have. Women’s rights are being taken ago. Men are voting against women’s healthcare. There has been so many people whose healthcare has been taken away from them who were on the Affordable Care Act and now it’s not affordable for them anymore.”
“The money from the government that was being used to subsidize their insurance has been taken away from them. I work with folks who are elderly and who are on Medicare and Medicaid and some have not had treatment for years and chronic illnesses build up,” Bognacki added. He also mentioned the war in Iran and affordability. “Prices are going up every time I pass a gas station. Donald Trump’s tariffs. Who pays for his tariffs? We pay for the tariffs – not the countries that we are importing from.”
Bognacki called Trump, “the most corrupt president we’ve ever had. Everything he does is for himself and for his rich friends. He breaks the law constantly. If we had a congress that would hold him accountable, he would have been impeached and removed already but we don’t have that right now.”
Veteran John Barker held up a sign stating “Trump Voters 18 to 28 years obligated to enlist” and he noted that the VA Clinic parking lot was taped off from use for protestors to park in during this event. He said that many veterans were out protesting and that closer parking would have made it more convenient.
This newspaper reached out to the clinic but no response was made at press time.
Dressed in his red, white and blue Captain America costume was Jackson resident Frank Ogrodowski who was not new to No King rallies. He would make a later appearance at the Lacey rally. “I am pretty excited about the turnout. A lot of people are really activated and it goes to show that the people care about the communities and they are willing to show up for it.”
Jenna from Brick Township held up her bright yellow sign that featured the word resist and a Star Wars resistance emblem. “I felt it was appropriate,” she said.
In Lacey, Claire Williamson-Jinks and Ed Duggan of Waretown were holding up their signs.
“Williamson-Jinks said she was there to “stand up for the Constitution and democracy. That is the biggest issue – that and the economy. I think we are being corrupted.”
Duggan said, “it is tough to sit back and watch someone so narcissistic take advantage of innocent people. It has to stop.”
Casey Wolf of Lacey brought a hearse that she owns to the Lacey rally, parking it where people could see it as they headed to the rally point. She had a sign that stated “Trump Brings Death.”
“This is a Cadillac Seville from 2004 and I got it because I wanted to go camping and other vehicles were expensive and decided it would be cool to bring it for the day.”
Trump Supporters Speak
While no counter protestors were seen at the Toms River rally, there were four adults and two juveniles observed heckling protestors and blaring loud music across the street from the protest on Lacey Road. According to Lacey police, between 250 and 300 No Kings protestors were lined up in front of the municipal building.
“All he is doing is protecting America. I love ICE,” one counter protestor remarked.
“I have to pay for my child’s health care,” a second counter protestor remarked.
One of the pro-Trump supporters said the small group were from Lacey and had come out to prior No Kings rallies to express their view. The man questioned if those across the street were from Lacey.
A third man who didn’t want to provide a comment and instead used a bullhorn close to this reporter’s face, claimed he had been assaulted down the street by someone. Lacey police investigated his claim.
Police told this reporter that a vehicle that was driving by in opposition to the No Kings protestors was being stopped for violation of motor vehicle laws.
The post VIDEO: ICE, Voting Rights Discussed At No Kings Rally appeared first on Jersey Shore Online.
