CONCORD, N.H.— Granite Staters who took to the streets Saturday said concerns about health care, immigration, racism, disability rights, free speech and more motivated them to join the “No Kings” protest.
The Concord demonstration was one of more than 30 official rallies organized across the state by the national coalition No Kings, and one of more than 2,700 planned across the nation. In the capital, the protest filled the State House lawn and spilled out along North Main Street.
“What’s going on in America is intolerable. This administration is trying to eliminate democracy,” said Donald Winchester of Antrim. “Mayflower pilgrims were immigrants too,” read a sign he carried.
Sandy Mucci of Meredith said she was concerned about the administration’s use of the military and hoped the protest would help push more lawmakers to take action against what she said was executive branch overreach.
“I’m an eighth generation New Hampshire native,” she said. “I was raised a Republican, fiscally conservative, socially responsible, protectors of the environment, party of Lincoln, and so now I’m a very active Democrat, because I am just beside myself with what’s going on,” she said. “… I am scared to death.”
Retired Air Force Master Sgt. Mike Scism of Sanbornton waved an American flag at passersby. The administration’s management of the military has disturbed him, Scism said.
“When you join (the military), you swear an oath to protect the Constitution, not to uphold a dictator. What (Secretary Pete) Hegseth is doing to the Department of Defense is horrible,” he said, referencing remarks Hegseth has made targeting diversity and equity initiatives in the military. “… Diversity and having people from all walks of life in the military is key to our strength. It’s not a weakness,” Scism said.
He added that he believed more veterans were in attendance Oct. 18 than had been present at the first No Kings rally in June.
Chris Farrell, a protest organizer and military veteran, also spoke about the importance of diversity to the military. He led participants in a recitation of the oath of enlistment, a version of which is taken by military and federal officials when they are sworn in to a role.
“I do solemnly swear that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States of America,” the oath began. “… As long as there are Americans willing to speak those words, there will be no kings in this nation,” Ferrell said after the oath had concluded.
Other speakers included disability rights advocate Lisa Beaudoin, who criticized federal funding cuts to the Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services and health care, and called for more support and respect for disabled Americans. She also criticized New Hampshire Republicans in particular, who she said were “leading the nation in cuts to Medicaid.”
Bob Sanders of Concord, who recently concluded a cross-country bike trip to protest the war in Gaza, also spoke at the event, calling for a lasting ceasefire. New Hampshire Youth Movement representative Ty Wyman called for more youth involvement in politics. Other speakers discussed topics from vaccines to health care and immigration.
In bright costumes and with signs bearing messages from lighthearted to urgent, protesters in Concord cheered, chanted and waved at passing cars throughout the afternoon. A crew of 18 “peacekeepers” from New Hampshire Peace Action patrolled the crowd; the team is trained in deescalation, said peacekeeper Lee Anne Tigert.
Many protesters said they hoped the demonstration would lead to change, but others were skeptical. “If protesting changed anything, they’d make it illegal,” read a sign carried by attendee Brett Power.
“I think a general strike is needed,” Power said, adding that he did not believe demonstrations on their own would effect significant change at the federal level. “The leverage people have is their labor,” he said.
Others said they hoped the protest would catch the attention of legislators and lead to change.
“This is what it’s going to take. Grassroots stuff like this, to get stuff done,” said protester Betty McKay. “Our legislators and congressmen need to be paying attention.”