Durham’s second No Kings rally wasn’t just a protest against authoritarianism, it was a rally for workers. Speakers included a variety of union representatives and Rev. Dr. William Barber II.
The first No Kings protests, a nationwide push to bring as many people as possible out to protest President Donald Trump, were held in June. Durham’s June No Kings event at CCB Plaza was organized by individual local organizers. This time, a variety of groups came together to organize and support the protest, which they dubbed “No Kings, No Billionaires”.
Thousands gathered at Durham Central Park, one of about 2,500 such events that took place across the country Saturday and drew an estimated 7 million participants. Attendees were concerned about ICE raids, free speech, workers’ rights, voting rights and Palestinian liberation, among other issues.
In Durham, Barber, a theologian, professor, co-chair of the Poor People’s Campaign and member of the national NAACP board of directors, emphasized the importance of unity and the undue influence of billionaires on the federal government…