Despite the chilly 40-degree weather, a significant crowd gathered along the Helen Boosalis Trail in Lincoln, stretching from 27th to 56th streets on Saturday morning. The gathering, which lasted two hours, marked a shift from previous rallies that took place at the Nebraska State Capitol last year.
Christine Strand, an organizer with Indivisible Nebraska, noted that the turnout was on par with earlier events, even with the competing attraction of the Nebraska spring football game. “I think the energy is growing,” Strand commented. “We’re seeing all ages coming out – from small children up to people in their 80s and 90s.”
Among those present was Brad Carper, a 73-year-old Lincoln native, who stated that this was his first protest experience, but he found it “worth it.” Carper mentioned that the U.S. military’s involvement abroad seemed to resonate with many attendees. “I think that’s kind of the straw that broke the camel’s back,” Carper remarked, adding his concerns about potential troop deployments.
Also participating was Trey Maynard, a mechanic originally from Kearney who has resided in Lincoln for several years. It was his second time attending a No Kings rally. Maynard emphasized the importance of being visible, especially in Nebraska, a state with a history of voting Republican. “I do think it’s important for us as individuals and as a collective whole to see this many people are dissatisfied with the things that are happening,” he explained. “Especially in a red state like Nebraska, it’s really heartening to see this many people stand up for what’s right.”
