WINONA, Minn. – The seriousness of anger toward President Trump was in hundreds of hand-created posters at a Windom Park demonstration, but the mood of an estimated 1,400 protesters was like an old-time and multi-generational block party. A white unicorn roamed the crowd and launched a thousand smiles at the No Kings rally. There were young parents with babies in strollers and seniors in walkers and wheelchairs. Some seniors brought fold-up lawn chairs to sit a spell. A few agitators circled the one-square block wooded park in vehicles. One ventured briefly on foot into the park itself. Most motorists on busy Broadway and Huff streets showed thumbs-up greetings and bonked spurts of support. There was no police presence, although a squad car was a block or so away for traffic control, if necessary. It wasn’t. Nor was there any emergency, let alone violence, in the 90-minute event. The weather was perfect for being outside — sunny and crisp, suitable for light jackets. There seemed agreement that the rally was the largest of four anti-Trump events at Windom Park going back to April.
Peaceable protest. Windom Park gathering among dozens in Minnesota, 2,600 nationwide. Altogether, the No Kings protest had been expected to attract perhaps 6 million against monarchical Trump practices. Yes, unicorns also vote. Images: Nancy Wagner