Over one thousand people gathered at Washington Park in downtown Ithaca this Saturday as part of over 2,700 “No Kings” protests happening across the country. Singing “if one of us is chained, none of us are free” and chanting “stand up, fight back,” protesters voiced dissent against President Donald Trump’s policies and presidency.
Over 100 volunteers from Indivisible Tompkins, a local organization formed in January that aims to support community members as they promote democracy through various events, hosted the rally alongside No Más Lágrimas and Citizen Action. Protesters, however, were not allowed to march as part of the event. Indivisible steering committee chair Ken McKinney said in a speech that, “The city asked us that if we were going to march, that we get a permit, and that requires insurance.”
While the city can require event organizers to provide liability insurance for non-expressive events, the requirement cannot act as a bar to First Amendment activity.
Attendees circled around the central stage holding signs, such as “Resist Fascism” and “I Like my ICE Crushed,” with others dressed up in costumes mocking Trump. Children painted “No Kings” signs at the “Kids Corner,” which table volunteer Lisa Coniglio said was important to have for adults without a childcare option wishing to attend the rally.
The rally featured a speech from Rep. Anna Kelles (NY-125), in which she voiced support for New York State Assembly Bill 3506, which would regulate the disclosure of immigration status, increase renewable energy efforts, universal healthcare and other issues. Kelles said she wants to see “every single [person]” in the crowd writing to their legislators to express support for issues important to them.
“Yes, I have a voice, and, yes, I have a podium, but if you really want me to have lasting change, then stand with me to fight for the legislation that I've written in conversations that I've had with you,” Kelles said. “That is my tool. That is my strength, so stand with me.”
Mayor Robert Cantelmo, Prof. Suman Seth, science and technology studies and Jahred Tolbert J.D. ’26 spoke, among others. A member of Indivisible announced that Lt. Gov. Antonio Delgado asked Indivisible to endorse him for governor. He will be holding a meet and greet at the Liquid State Brewery Company on Oct. 26 at 1 p.m.
When told they would not be able to march, attendees across the crowd booed. McKinney said that a march would entail getting insurance to cover it, which would end up costing $10,000.
“I know a lot of people are disappointed about not marching today,” McKinney said. “Thursday afternoon at 3:30 [p.m.], we got a $10,000 quote to insure the march. In discussion with our partners at Citizen Action, they were pretty sure that was an ‘F-you price.’ And that even if we could have produced $10,000 in a day, they would’ve found another reason [to not insure us].”
Ralph Wang ’22, young person recruiter at Indivisible, said originally the plan was to march to Route 13, fill up the streets and “show everyone that we had numbers on our side.” According to him, at the last minute, he was informed they could not get insurance for the march. He said the news was “very strange” to him, as he did not understand why the leadership wanted insurance for the march when Indivisible had never gotten insurance to march previously.
“I feel like as long as we encourage everyone to follow the law and be safe, [marching] should be fine, but the leadership team decided that it's not worth the financial risk,” Wang said. “So instead of marching out to the street, we're going to march around the park, which, come on, that's so lame."
Some protesters marched around the park near the end of the rally. Additionally, the rally featured local rock band Maddy Walsh and the Blind Spots, who performed after the speeches. Demonstrators also held a brief puppet performance, featuring caricatures of U.S. Department of Homeland Security Kristi Noem dressed in what appeared to be a tattered wedding dress with an automatic rifle in her hands and multiple ICE agents.
Kelles said ralliers should look at “what makes happiness” for them, and how independence from “our national fascist government” and environmentally-friendly energy affordability ties into that.
“Breaking bread with your family, taking a hike outside, not [taking part in] another piece of consumerism [and] having each other — that’s all we need for happiness,” Kelles said. “So let's stand together. I will be fighting for you. You fight with me, [and] we fight together.”
Max Troiano contributed to reporting
Shubha Gautam is a member of the Class of 2028 in the College of Arts and Sciences. She is a senior writer for the News department and can be reached at sgautam@cornellsun.com.
