Photos and poetry from June 14 No Kings Rally in West Jefferson
Thanks to the volunteers there to welcome us, coming from Watauga County was easy--plenty of parking very close to the rally space. There the organizers welcomed us and let us know we needed to stay on the street for the short march around the blocks of West Jefferson. The energy in the crowd was so positive after a week of so much that was disturbing and negative. Just showing up sometimes is enough!
After the march, speakers shared inspiring words--the loudest moment may have been when a speaker mentioned U.S. Representative Virginia Foxx's shameful voting record--the boos echoed all across town. The crowd agreed with calls to end gerrymandering in this state, to overturn Citizens United, and the need for more democracy. As one said, "It's not Democrat vs. Republican. It's right vs. wrong."
Kinney Baughman read a poem he wrote in reaction to the surreal military parade going on in DC. He was kind enough to share the words with us, though you may prefer to hear him on the video posted on the Indivisible High Country Youtube account:
28 Tanks And An Ol' Hound Dog
By Kinney Baughman
I'm getting 28 tanks and 34 horses,
6 thousand soldiers from our military forces.
50 helicopters for your favorite demagogue.
2 gray mules and an ol' hound dog.
Lord have mercy, I'm getting my parade.
Gonna see some fine salutin' from the soldiers I've betrayed.
I'll see you losing suckers marching down the avenue.
You'll be looking up at me but I'll be looking down on you.
'Cause I feel like celebratin' all the damage that I've done.
Got our friends all up against us, didn't have to fire a gun.
Got ol' Putin laughing at us and the fascist Bibi, too.
'Cause they both know good and certain all the harm that I can do ...
... to the country where I'm king, at least I'm actin' like I am.
They think I love the homeland but I couldn't give a damn.
It was just a big ol' con, all to get me out of jail.
And now I'm walking free and didn't have to pay no bail.
I sure do like the flare o' throwing parties just for me.
And watching all the people bow their heads and bend their knee.
'Cause they think that I'm the great and bestest prez they've ever found.
They believe that I'm the sun their little worlds all go around.
I've got the minions fooled. Oh how easy, yes it was.
Tell 'em what they want to hear. It gets 'em all abuzz.
Don't matter if I'm lying, I can say whate'r I will.
They'll believe my every word, and love the hate that I instill.
Now I'm laughing to the bank. And making millions by the minute.
The marks are easy pickin's, they believe the way I spin it.
Don't matter if it's money that is barely made of air.
If it's got my name upon it, then they think it's fair and square.
The damndest thing I've ever seen, you'd think they'd all had learned by now.
That I'm in it for myself and doing all the law allows
To get me what I want, to make what money that I can.
Before this ride is over and they figure out the scam.
Sound the trumpets, blaze the horns, let's get this show out on the road.
I've been waiting way far too long to get the praise I think I'm owed.
A waste of money and resources just to act like Kim Jung Il.
And show my fascist buddies that I, too, can wield my will.
I love the pomp and circumstance, the show that must go on.
The golden trappings that surround me while I throw these bums a bone.
Like taking candy from a baby, it's been one great big charade.
That's why I'm up here laughing while I'm getting my parade.
Like me, you are here today not just to protest—but to protect. To protect our neighbors. Our children, and the sacred spaces that should never be used to intimidate or instill fear in anyone.
Central United Methodist Church in East Charlotte is more than just a building. It is a sanctuary—literally and spiritually. It is also home to the Children of the World Learning Center, a dual language, multi-cultural school for 3 and 4 year olds. In those rooms where children laugh, learn and grow—where they have their first encounters with the world, THEIR days should be filled with joy and promise, not fear or terror.
But recently, ICE used that very church as a staging ground, without consent, conversation or conscience.
Let’s be clear: this was psychological warfare. It was a message. And the message was “your church means nothing to us. We will do what we want, where we want, to whomever we want.” It was intimidation and fear, wrapped in government uniforms, hidden behind masks, and parked on sacred ground for maximum visibility.
And the children? Of course they noticed! At 3 and 4 years old, they are too young to understand politics, but they are not too young to understand fear. When government agents stand near their playground wearing masks and holding guns, they learn to be afraid of their home, their school, their world. This is another layer of generational trauma piled onto families who live every day, in worry, stress, and uncertainty under this administration.
This is not about policy—it is about HUMANITY.
What message are we sending when we allow immigration enforcement to target a church? What do we say to those families who worship, learn, and find support there?
Today, we are here to say absolutely NO MORE!
Today, we reject a system that treats immigrant families as threats rather than as neighbors. Today, we reject a country where children are collateral damage in a war of intimidation. Today, we demand better.
Let me remind us all: this rally is not just resistance. It’s renewal. We are building a vision of a country where churches are sacred…where schools are sanctuaries, and where no child has to look over their shoulder on their way to the playground or story time.
We stand together not just in anger, but in unity, in strength, and most importantly…in LOVE for all the people ICE is trying to silence.
Because the real power doesn’t lie in badges or black vans. It doesn’t hide behind masks and weapons. It doesn’t tear down families and communities. The real power doesn’t embrace the dark.
The real power lies in communities that show up for the least of these! The real power lies in movements like this one. And it lies in our voices—loud, unyielding, and speaking truth wherever truth is needed. It is building up and supporting immigrant families. The real power is in the light! The real power is in you!
We will not accept fear and violence in our schools.
We will not accept fear and violence in our churches.
And by God, we will NOT accept fear and violence in our names.
Thank you."
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A compilation of other speakers and moments from the march/rally
