As reported in the Lakeville Journal, over 350 people gathered on Saturday June 14, for a “No Kings” protest on the green in Cornwall Bridge between noon-1:30 P.M. Similar protests were held in Litchfield, Warren, Torrington and other towns all over Connecticut. Many who attended carried homemade signs expressing alarm and disagreement with policies of the Trump administration.
A central theme of the protesters was anger about their perception of the Trump administration’s disregard for the Constitution and for laws that have defined our justice system and the American democratic system of government. Judging from the signs carried by the protesters, the current administration’s policies that have generated strong emotional responses include the dismantling of federal agencies that perform oversight and the plethora of executive orders emanating from the oval office.
The demonstration was organized by a local group that calls themselves “Cornwall Protests.” They began when a small group of Cornwall residents, not affiliated with any political party or PAC joined the nation-wide “Hands Off Rally” some six weeks ago. That protest focused on opposition to allowing Elon Musk and his DOGE (Department of Government Efficiency) employees access to personal data from Social Security and the IRS on American citizens. With the success and enthusiasm generated by that event, a core group started planning for the No Kings rally on June 14.
Jonathan Arnold, a leader of the protest group says, “along with giving us an opportunity to use our voices and engage in civic participation, these protests also allow us to see that we each are not alone with our concerns about the country and its future. This ability to talk and rub shoulders generates a sense of community.” Another member of the group, Dick Sears, spoke with town officials to register the event and to ensure safety, adequate parking, and prevent any disruption of businesses in Cornwall Bridge.
According to Arnold, Cornwall Protests will continue to hold smaller gatherings in the same location every Saturday at noon and encourages participants to bring their own signs focused on the issue that they care most about. More information about future plans may be obtained by sending an email to CornwallProtests@gmail.com. Additional founding members of the group include Nita Colgate, Gary Steinkohl, and Jeremy Brecher.
Earlier this year we learned from our First Selectman Gordon Ridgway that Cornwall’s 90.46% voting turnout in the 2024 general election was the highest in any town in Connecticut. Noting this voting history in Cornwall, Jonathan Arnold commented that “the more than 350 people who congregated on the green for the No Kings protest is another example of the devotion to engagement and participation in government of the town’s citizens.”
—Will Treem
📷: Image above, Jonathan Arnold
📷: Aerial drone photo by Spencer Markow
