About 500 people showed up Saturday for the Valentine’s Day: Love for Our Country rally on County Road 466A near Morse Boulevard in The Villages. The rally was sponsored by the Democratic Club of The Villages.
Participants traveled from across the length of The Villages, including Kim Smith from the Village of Silver Lake, Cindy and Bonnie Ryan from the Village of Polo Ridge, and John Rettenmayer from the Village of DeLuna.
Second Lieutenant Deborah Smith and Sergeant Judy Pike, both Army vets, said they were there to emphasize the importance of standing up for democracy.
“We took a vow to the constitution, not to any specific president. We need to see the larger picture and preserve our great nation,” Smith said.
JoAnn Doyle of Village of Lynnhaven, said she was there because she wanted her seven grandkids to know that she is standing up for their rights.
“I hope they will use me as an example and stand up for what they believe,” Doyle said.
Many protesters held signs that focused on the Valentine’s Day theme of love for one another.
“Trump defies what democracy is. I’m here because of the hate he’s created within our country,” said Karen Naughton of the Village of Buttonwood.
No Kings 3.0, a national day of protest, is scheduled for March 28. Two protest sites will be set up in The Villages…