National politics came to Ely Saturday in the form of a No Kings rally on Sheridan Street next to Whiteside Park.
Ely joined communities across the state and nation, where people came out to protest the actions of the Trump Administration.
Exact counts were difficult to confirm, but organizers say at least 500 people turned out for the Ely event, with some reports indicating as many as 700 participants.
“We were thrilled,” said Valerie Myntti of the newly- formed Ely Indivisible organization, which coordinated the local event. “In some places it was 10 people deep. You’d truly need a drone or a real mathematical way to come up with an exact total, but I think it’s fair to say over 500 people were there. Some people estimated 660 and some said 700.”
Participants held and waved hand-made signs, cheered and waved at passers- by, and voiced their displeasure with the Trump Administration during the course of the event.
“I thought it was just a wonderful display of people exercising their constitutional right to protest,” said Myntti. “I thought it was a fantastic event. I didn’t see any Hamas folks or terrorists or ANTIFA. It seemed to be a lot of people from the geriatric demographic and people of all ages, very peacefully protesting.”
Myntti said most participants were from the Ely area, with some coming from neighboring communities including Embarrass and Cook.
The event meshed with the nationwide No Kings movement, with thousands protesting at similar events across the state and country.
According to news outlet CNN, organizers said there were nearly 7 million people at more than 2,700 events in all 50 states.
It was at least the fourth event to be held in Ely since Trump took office in January.
“I think we’re trying to raise awareness about the erosion of American democracy and the shattering of our constitutional norms,” said Myntti. “I think we’re concerned about the crackdown on free speech at our universities. We’re concerned about cutting back of voting right. We want to expand rights in the United States for different groups. We’re concerned about the big beautiful bill and its effect on health insurance and premiums. We’re concerned about affordability with tariffs. We’re concerned about the government creating tax cuts for the one percent on the backs of the working poor and middle classes.”
Ely Indivisible formed this fall and may plan future, “fact-based” events, according to Myntti.
“We hope to welcome anybody with the events we have,” she said. “We want to do things that are factual and issue-based. We don’t hate America. We love America and want her to be the best she can be.”
