SPRINGFIELD, Mo. — Bouts of rain that poured on and off through the morning and into the afternoon didn’t stop thousands across the Ozarks region from gathering for ‘No Kings’ protests Saturday, Oct. 18.
Cris Swaters, Springfield Police Department (SPD) Public Affairs Officer, said there was an estimated peak crowd size of 1,500-2,000 people at Springfield’s protest on the corner of Sunshine and National.
Phillip Hockensmith, a Springfield man who attended the protest, said he decided to attend because he “hates” what he sees “happening to our country,” he said.
Hockensmith noted he’s a retired army lieutenant and a retired classroom teacher. “I believe in defending the constitution. I hate to see what’s happening to America,” he said.
In addition, smaller cities in the Ozarks also held No Kings protests. The protest in Stockton drew in around 45 people. The Bolivar protest was reported to have drawn in around 40-60 people, as well…