You may not find this terribly rewarding unless you're included here, so this is a good time for casual and random browsers to turn back before they get too caught up in the sweep and majesty of the proceedings and can't let go.
In a welcome response to the political and economic nightmare that had descended upon the USA since 20 January 2025, a 'Hands Off' demonstration was held on 5 April in front of the venerable Augusta County Circuit Court, with a good turnout and only a few awkward MAGA-style incidents as the city police seem not to have been prepared in advance. We attended and have posted some photos of the event here.
The first 'No Kings' demonstration was held in the same venue on 14 June 2025, reportedly with good attendance, but we were halfway across the country and missed it here. Today, however, here we are for 'No Kings II', 18 October, and we learn from reports of the many other demonstrations round the country, estimated at 2,700 of them with an estimated turnout of some 7 million patriotic citizens, it's all been hugely successful -- with a general atmosphere both joyful at the camaraderie of the participants and a range of serious grievances against the present lawless regime.
Here in Staunton, it seems all to have transpired much as everywhere else -- an apparently superb police presence for all the best reasons, and therefore no untoward incidents, funny signs and inflatable costumes, serious exhortations from the microphone about the people's various complaints, not all identical but so what.
Chris Graham of the Augusta Free Press estimated the overall attendance here at 1,700 participants and mentioned that 'the only disruption was brief': 'A man with a makeshift sound system tried to lecture people from passages in the Bible, and struggled to make something of a point about the murder of White nationalist Charlie Kirk, but he didn’t get any traction with those around him, and didn’t hang around very long.' [source]
Chris Graham also wrote that one of the organizers, towards the end, 'asked those in attendance to thank the local police, who had closed the streets around the rally site, and positioned two officers on the rooftop of an adjoining court building.'
'She also reminded people to make sure to pick up after themselves.'
We've come along with Kristin and Liz, but we spent our own time just wiggling round through the crowds, looking for potentially memorable photos, so we're not in a position to supply much in the way of useful captions.
But here's a sizable collection of what we came up with, here in downtown Staunton (a town of some 26,500 citizens), but just possibly including some citizens of the outlying Augusta County, just catching on now about how serious the administration's lawlessness could be for them as well.
Augusta County (not counting Staunton city) went 73.3% for Trump in 2024, so normally there's not much love lost there on our part, or theirs.
Here, then, is an incoherent collection photos of the event, beginning here just down Augusta St from our Old Y condo building.
(This fine county district courthouse, by the way, was built in 1901 and designed by the amazing T J Collins, who designed, built, and restored some 200+ buildings in town at the turn of the last century. After years of controversy, the Augusta County authorities have been ordered by the courts to build their own courthouse in Verona just up the road, and are now doing so.)
'Who would Jesus deport?' Who indeed?
No Kings . . . or Dictators
The white sign under the green traffic light: 'If you ever wondered what you would've done during the Holocaust: You're doing it right now. Silence is Violence'.
'No Faux King Way'.
'Elvis is the King. Trump is a Troll'.
'No Kings, Only Queens'
[a bit enigmatic; perhaps because Staunton's nickname is the Queen City]
'No Trump, No KKK, No Fascist USA'.
'I served my country. I love America. I hate Trump'.
'Shenandoah Strong: the Constitution and our mountains must be protected and defended'.
Amongst all of the political and economic angst, it's good to see a 'Save the Trees' sign.
(Not much attention to the Climate Crisis otherwise.)
'Congress, save us. Do your job!'
'Human Rights are not a matter of opinion'.
'Denounce Oligarchic Narcissist Addled Lawless Dictators!'
'Hands off our SSI & Medicaid'.
'Patriots R4 democracy, not kings'. '[No] Vindictive or Selective Prosecution'.
We've lost sight of Kristin and Liz apparently.
'In your guts, you know he's nuts'.
'Trump is a dump . . . trans & gay rights!' 'Absolutely no kings in America! Except maybe Elvis!' 'Proud Member of Antifa'. 'We the People must restore democracy!'
'No kings! Voting rights, free speech, LGBTQ rights, clean energy'.
Oh, there's Kristin.
Heartfelt!
An inexhaustible collection of grievances.
'Throw out the Thieves! Stealing NIH, Dept. of Ed., National Parks & Forests, Important jobs, Headstart funds, Research $'.
Local speakers, mostly with similar messages but all well put
'Resist peacefully against fascist acts & demands'.
In the far background: 'Kiss your ring? Kiss my ass!'
'Long live the great American experiment'.
'Democracy doesn't fear protests. Dictators do'.
'Stop Jackboot Justice'!
'Free speech, due process, fair elections, no police state, no fascist dictators'.
'When cruelty becomes normal, compassion looks radical'!
'We are the checks, we are the balance'.
'All of my outrage cannot fit on this sign!!'
'Dump Trump'. (How pithy!)
'Hey, Maga, go fact yourself'.
'All the cool dictators have big ballrooms'.
'Bring in DOWN the Clowns'.
'We are all descendants of immigrants'.
'No justice on stolen land'.
On the cardboard: 'We must fight against that most pernicious of diseases, a disease which has turned the blood of
this country toxic. The Disease of White Supremacy.'
'When injustice becomes law, resistance becomes duty'.
(A 'No Kings' demonstrator with a paper crown on)
Behind the scenes, more or less
'Only thugs wear masks'.
Age is no deterrent when the issues are urgent.
'We are all antifacists!'
'I am Antifa!'
'Unmask ICE, respect immigrants'.
'Prison without due process is a concentration camp'.
'The only minority destroying America are the Rich'.
'No human is illegal'.
'We put the GIN in VIRGINIA'.
It's time for a colorful head on a stick?
'Nothing is less Christian than the GOP'.
'This is the Last Straw'.
And a calm and calming police presence, and carefully blocked roads.
In the April demonstration, specially rigged pickup trucks from outside the city came through this intersection pumping black smoke onto the participants.
Eventually, though, the crowd begins to disperse.
Next up: Probably just evocative photos from some local hikes. And more of the cats.
Dwight Peck's personal website
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All rights reserved, all wrongs avenged. Posted 8 November 2025.
