Murray No Kings protesters undeterred by rain

Despite rain showers over western Kentucky, around 30 participants demonstrated at Murray Indivisible's No Kings protest at the intersection of KY 121 North and North 12th Street Saturday. 

The No Kings movement has organized protests in the United States and abroad against President Donald Trump and his administration’s policies, including its immigration crackdown.

Nancy Spring-Epley, one of the event organizers, said Murray Indivisible is a nonpartisan group, open to anyone wishing to protest the Trump administration.

“We're an open tent,” Spring-Epley said. “Anybody can join. It's not necessarily Democrat; we have people of all stripes here.”

Spring-Epley shared the principles of Murray Indivisible and how they guide the group in protesting the administration.

“It's nonviolence; it's joy; it's mutual respect; and it's learning in action,” she said. “It's banding together to speak up as a group, as a collective, to let people know that we are not going to put up with this fascist government.”

She attributed the low turnout to the rain and the chapter’s recent formation but said its membership is growing.

Madison Buffington, 20, saw the protest on the way to the store and returned with her mom to participate. There needs to be an end to the violence from ICE, she said. 

“I don't think they're doing things the correct way at all,” Buffington said. “I've seen a lot of people getting hurt, and I just never think violence is okay in any way, shape, or form. I would definitely like to see less violence, more schooling. Anybody can kind of wear those vests and just do whatever they want, and I don't think they're being regulated at all. And I think everybody should be welcome everywhere.”

The protest drew mixed reactions from passing motorists, including supportive honks and cheers as well as raised middle fingers and profanities.

One man expressed criticism while stopped in the turn lane on 12th Street, shouting from his truck, “Illegals need to go home.”

Spring-Epley said the motorist had the same constitutional right to express his views as the protesters.

“We're following the law. The law says we have the right to free speech,” she explained. “He is equally entitled to set up and do this as well for what he believes to be right. That's the beauty of this. That's the Constitution.”