Joining over 2,000 protests nationwide, a crowd of around 80 people marched down Main Street in Talkeetna on Saturday. They did so as part of the nationwide “No Kings” protests, a series of coordinated demonstrations in response to President Trump’s military parade in Washington, D.C.
For many in attendance, like long-time Talkeetna resident Joe Halladay, people gathered in protest of President Trump and his administration. From immigration policies to pushes to cut federal spending, Halladay said he had not seen anything like this before.
“I believe that we have some of the worst leadership that we’ve ever experienced in this country,” he said, marching down the street.
Mat-Su locals weren’t the only ones making their voices heard. A number of protestors joined in while on vacation. Jeff Kanipe from Boulder, Colorado happened to be in town visiting family and figured he should join in.
“We’ve protested elsewhere, so why not here?” he said.
Traveling from Evanston, Illinois, Joy Joyce planned a trip to Alaska with her husband before the “No Kings” protests were scheduled.
“We knew we were coming to Talkeetna today. So about several weeks or a month ago, I looked to see, will Talkeetna have a no kings rally or something going on?” Joyce said, “I was delighted to find out that there was.”
Joyce said that for her, protesting was essential to help ensure a future for her family in this country.
“We have two grandchildren and two sons, and their families. We were concerned what their life will be like if this continues; we want no kings.”
