By noon on June 27, a small group of protesters lined the street in front of the Humboldt County Superior Court. Many held signs criticizing the current administration, calling for the impeachment of President Trump and an end to fascism in America. Palestinian flags, Mexican flags and upside-down American flags signaling distress waved in the breeze.
The protest was part of the Nationwide Mobilization for Truth, Equality and Freedom, an initiative by All of Us 250. According to the All of Us 250 website, the goal for the nationwide day of protest was to create a space for Americans of all backgrounds to come together in support of a truly united and diverse country as the 250th anniversary of America’s Declaration of Independence nears.
Humboldt’s chapter of 50501 brought this nationwide mobilization to the local level. 50501 Humboldt County Organizer AJ, who declined to give their last name, explained that the June 27 protest wasn’t affiliated with No Kings, which may have led to the smaller turnout. They also mentioned that the Nationwide Mobilization for Truth, Equality and Freedom received much less media attention leading up to the protest in comparison to No Kings.
At the group’s largest, there were about 175 protesters, a considerably smaller number than the March 28 No Kings protest that brought in a crowd of 2,500 to 3,000 people. Despite the small turnout, AJ still felt inspired by the crowd made up of mostly older people.
“It’s just really amazing to see people still coming out,” AJ said. “[For] a lot of people, if they are protesting for 50 years and are seeing the same exact things, it’s hard to not lose faith, but everyone here still has faith that we can make change, and we have made change. It’s just great to hear from them what needs to be done to be a successful protest organization, and I will always be happy to hear the wisdom that they bring.”
Directly in front of the courthouse, representatives from Eureka Actioneers set up a table with information flyers on USPS mail-in ballot listings, corporate influence on elections and petitions to stop construction of the proposed Amazon warehouse in McKinleyville. They also advocated to stop a Trump administration-backed proposal to have Elsinore Valley Municipal Water District in Riverside County purchase the Potter Valley Project, which impacts flows to the Eel River.
KT, a member of the Eureka Actioneers, was one of many protesters who felt upset at the size of the crowd. She explained that showing up to protests is crucial for making positive change. “I get worried because people get complacent, and that’s how we got in the position that we’re in now,” KT said. “It didn’t start just a couple weeks ago or something like that. It started decades ago because we were comfortable. We have to start paying attention. We have to work to keep our freedom and we have to work to love our country.”
Among the protesters was a group of local musicians who played protest songs such as “Bella Ciao,” “Na Na Hey Hey Kiss Him Goodbye” and “Down by the River,” as well as contemporary songs like “Pink Pony Club.”
Eureka/Bayside Food Not Bombs also tabled at the protest, collecting donations such as canned vegetables, soups and rice. Humboldt Food Not Bombs organizer and former 50501 Humboldt County Organizer R. Chaos shared the importance of showing up to protests and showing solidarity. “The visibility to show the disdain we have for this administration is important,” Chaos said. “It gives the community a chance to interact, get to know each other better, get to meet your neighbors. We’ve met multiple groups that we have mutual aid with now. We’re really building a sense of community that I haven’t seen up here since the ’90s.”
By 1:45 p.m., the crowd had dwindled down to just a few protesters. Sylvia DeRooy, a 90-year-old Eureka local, was one of the few who stayed to the end. In the shade of a tree, DeRooy took a break to sit on her walker and share her frustration with the small turnout. “I think protesting is important. I think successful protests, well attended, do have an impact. This is criticism taken to the streets and it should be taken to the streets,” she said. “We need to make change in this country and we need to make it fast. We can’t be arresting immigrants, who have built this country by the way and have police running the country by arresting immigrants. This is not OK.”
Mia Costales (she/her) is a freelance reporter and recent Cal Poly Humboldt journalism graduate. Reach her at costalesmia@gmail.com.
This article appears in 731 Dogs.