More than 100 attend ‘No Kings’ rally in Albion, worried about a president amassing power
Participants braved cold, received many friendly horn honks and some middle fingers
Photos by Tom Rivers
ALBION – Orleans County today for the first time joined the “No Kings” protests around the country. Just over 100 attended the protest in Albion at the main intersection of routes 98 and 31.
They stood to send a message that oppose a president accumulating executive power while dismissing the roles of the legislative and judicial branches.
Over 3,000 protests were planned around the country today. The first “No Kings” protests were last year on the June 14, the birthday of President Donald Trump.
Protesters say Donald Trump has used his power to bring the United States to war with Iran, to arrest and detain people around the country without due process, to impose tariffs and issue numerous executive orders – all without following the democratic process that is a cornerstone of the country.
The war with Iran has sent gas prices soaring, with the price hitting $4.00 a gallon at the Crosby’s in Albion at route 31 and 98.
Protesters today said Trump campaigned on getting the U.S. out of wars but instead seems to relish military interventions and conflicts. And his actions are causing economic pain around the country and world.
Beth Wood helped organize today’s “No Kings” protest. She is secretary for the Orleans County Democratic Party. She wanted local residents to have a chance to gather to send a message about Trump and his move towards an authoritative government.
Wood said she is impressed by the turnout of more than 100 people, standing for two hours in 30-degree temperatures. And she appreciated the many positive horn honks which outnumbered the revving engines and middle fingers.
“A lot of people feel very alone and worried about the executive branch having so much control over so many things,” Wood said. “We want to support full democracy.”
Wood said the “No Kings” protest is non-partisan and she was pleased to see some Republicans and independents joining Democrats at the rally in Albion.
“This is an opportunity to take advantage of our Constitutional freedoms before they are disintegrated,” she said.

There were numerous home-made signs at the protest today in Albion.
Jim Renfrew, vice president of the Orleans County Democratic Party, said Trump is governing like a king, plastering his name and likeness of buildings. There will be a commemorative coin for the 250th anniversary of the country with Trump’s portrait, and the Treasury Department announced this week that paper currency will be bearing Trump’s signature.
The Kennedy Center, which was named as memorial for slain president John F. Kennedy, in December added Trump’s name and is now “The Donald J. Trump and The John F. Kennedy Memorial Center for the Performing Arts.”
Renfrew said “it’s very disturbing” to see Trump getting the king treatment with money and the naming of buildings in his honor, which ius out of the norm for a sitting and living U.S. president.
Renfrew was expecting about 30 people at the protest in Albion. The event went from noon to 2 p.m. By 12:05, there were 75 people at the intersection, holding signs. By 1 o’clock, there were about 120 at the rally.
Renfrew also went to a “No Kings” protest in the morning in Gates that he said was attended by more than 500 people.
“There is definitely something going on here,” Renfrew said about the movement.

Some protesters say Trump hasn’t been upfront about the rationale for bombing Iran, and still hasn’t made the goals clear.
Jeff Lewis, the Democratic Party chairman in Orleans County, said he saw people from all political parties at the protest.
“We want people here to know that they matter,” he said. “Democracy and the Constitution isn’t for just one person. It’s for all people.”
He said the local Democrats are seeing strong interest which he hopes can translate into more people running for local political offices. Too many elections have unopposed candidates.
“People need to know their vote counts,” he said.

Protesters say they see an attack on democracy from Trump and his enablers, and the people need to speak out.
Michael Plitt, Democratic Party chairman in Genesee County, attended the ‘No Kings” rally in Albion. He was in town to help gather signatures for political candidates.
He said Democrats are much more eager to sign petitions and help collect signatures than he has seen before.
They want a stronger say in their local government, which is dominated by Republicans.
“We just want to give people a choice,” he said. “So many of the elections are unopposed. People don’t realize you can run for office. There is no secret club or handshake. They should reach out to their local Democratic committee.”































