'Can't Even Believe This Our Country,' At Least 1,000 Gather In Nassau For 'No Kings' Protest

MINEOLA, NY — Police said approximately 1,000 people braved the rain on Saturday to make their voices heard against President Donald Trump and his administration. The "No Kings" protest in Mineola was part of an estimated 2,000 rallies across the country on the same day a parade was scheduled in Washington to commemorate the U.S. military's 250th anniversary, which was also Trump's 79th birthday.

In the Nassau County gathering, protesters assembled at the Nassau County Court House and marched the few blocks to the Legislative Building.

The crowd was peaceful — with singers adding a 1960s vibe by performing covers of Joni Mitchell standards and other folk classics — but the message was clear.

"We're saying 'no' to the type of power and authority that kings want to exercise," New Hyde Park's Laura Detke said. "We have someone in power who is trying to do all of those things."

There was a overwhelming sense of strength in numbers from those in attendance, but not without uncertainty.

"It makes me extremely concerned and nervous," Detke told Patch.

Kristen Martel, of West Hempstead, felt that the constant overreach of the White House is surreal and scary.

"I just can't even believe this is our country," Martel told Patch. "It's so ridiculous. Every day I turn on the news, it's like our country's just falling apart. The fact that nobody seems to care is what's really frustrating."

While some signs got soaked, the words remained clear, including: "The U.S. Has No King," "Trump is a Faux King" and "Immigrants are Essential."

Increased Immigration and Custom Enforcement (ICE) across the country, including in Nassau County, was on the mind of many protesters.

"No problem with eliminating criminals [who] come to this country, but every immigrant is not a criminal," said Matt Cody, of Garden City.

As the "No Kings" title indicates, there is concern that Trump trying to take the country down a dark authoritarian path.

"I think some of the representatives in Congress, particularly those who support the president and everything that he does, are too weak and do not know how to stand up to somebody who is a bully," Cody said.

One woman, who wouldn't give her name, who is approaching her 80th birthday, said she there to support the trans and gay communities, and other vulnerable groups.

A strong police presence surrounded the Legislative Building and the blocked off the streets. Also noticeable, the calm proceeding was not met with any backlash.

However, one person, Rich from West Hempstead, was there standing in opposition as he gently debated with one of the protesters about the immigration situation.

"You can't absorb these people at one time," he said. "It has to be done gradually. We have a system."

"It's not working," a woman responded.

The immigration issue is front and center for members of 32 BJ Service Employees International Union.

"We put this country up," Jose, a member of 32BJ, told Patch., of the immigrants' experience in the U.S. "Not everybody [is a] criminal. Leave them alone. Don't bother the person working."

Even if an immigrant is in the U.S. legally, Jose said the ICE tactics are making them scared as well.

"You know what's going on when they are scared?" Jose said, "No work, no nothing."

The apprehension is palpable as well for parents of young children, who offer a unique perspective about our future as the present rapidly unfolds.

"I have a seven-year-old daughter and I have to set a good example for her," Justine Zwiebel, of Long Beach, told Patch. "We have to fight for our democracy."

Zwiebel said Americans are fortunate to have the right to protest and "go up against things that we think are wrong."

In this fractured, divisive nation, Zwiebel said this can now be a teachable moment.

"We show up for each other and our neighbors. This is what we do, and we fight," she said. "It's really scary. I don't know what's going to happen next. A lot of things need to change. I don't know where we go from here."