Protestors In Albany County Adding To Nationwide Movement
Throughout the country, protesters gathered in the second No Kings Day protests, including in Laramie. The protesters walked down Grand Avenue, chanting and holding up signs and flags.
Beginning at 2 p.m., protests formed in front of the Albany County Courthouse, contributing to the larger no-kings movement. Protesters held signs expressing grievances with a variety of issues, from the Epstein files and government shutdown to complaints with ICE and the recent autism-Tylenol announcement, among others.
“Thank you for coming today and being part of the solution to creeping authoritarianism in our country,” Peggy McCrackin, organizer of 50501 Wyoming, said as the protest began.
McCrackin thanked the other organizers of the event, including Young Democrats of Wyoming, Campus Democrats, and Grassroots Democrats. Restaurants like Turtle Rock Coffee helped provide food and drinks for the protesters.
Counter-protesters and hecklers were present but limited to people in vehicles driving up and down Grand Avenue shouting from their windows, and a group holding a Trump flag on the protest route. These interactions were peaceful, although protesters shouted back and forth, including profanities.
One man stuck his head out of the window and saluted Hitler, hailing his name.
Todd Schmitt also attended, promoting Jesus with a sign that read, “Live not by lies. Trump is still president. Jesus is still King.”
Police patrolled the area, pulling over those who rolled coal, to the cheers of the protesters.
The protest had live music of the classic rock-and-roll persuasion, speakers from various organizations, and a giant satirical letter for protesters to sign, designed in the style of the Declaration of Independence.
“[My parents] taught me what it is to be a true American here in the U.S. as an immigrant,” said speaker Benny Piaras. “It is to love everyone. To take care of those who are poor, take care of those who are hungry, to take care of those who have nothing.”
Piaras was the first of many speakers at the protest. Afterwards, Sam Riley, president of the UW student organization, spoke about the organization and encouraged the protesters to continue putting in effort to change.
“This protest will mean very little to those who are struggling under Trump’s policy, or everyone being hurt by ICE, if the pressure ends tomorrow, or next week, or next month. There will be no change if we do not sacrifice for it,” Riley said to the crowd.
50501 Wyoming has been protesting weekly in front of the courthouse for months, but worked with organizations like the newly formed Young Democrats of Wyoming. This organization aims to encourage young people to get more politically active in the Wyoming area.
“We are specifically looking for people within the age group of 14 to 35, and we are trying to get them into politics,” Aydin Cossel, a member of Young Democrats, said.
“We’re really tired of sitting around and waiting for the people that are supposed to be in charge to do something, and we have equal voting rights as someone who’s 45 and so we need to stand up and participate too,” Rayne Going, another member of Young Democrats, said.
Hundreds of protesters, including UW students, showed up to this event, many attending these protests for the first time.
“I feel like it’s irresponsible to not come in,” UW senior Eann Burns said as they stood in front of the courthouse.
Burns expressed hope, especially seeing Zoran Mamdani’s rise in the New York mayoral race, but apprehension was also present.
“I am pushing towards hopeful, and Mamdani gives me some hope, but there’s a lot of scary stuff happening,” Burns said.
Burns said he feels like there is a common anti-Trump sentiment, even among Republicans.
Eric Boss of the Young Democrats of Wyoming, dressed in jester garb, led the protesters down Grand Avenue and back as they chanted together. Boss said he grew up in Laramie and said he was a plainsman to the crowd of protesters.
The event brought many together, not only in the Laramie community but nationwide, to state their beliefs.
