By Becky Long
Publisher
Saturday brought a display of flags for the ages. It happened to be Flag Day, but in this case, Old Glory was waving as a symbol of democracy representing Americans with opposing views. Protesters carrying flags and signs lined the road leading up into Hayesville in resistance to President Donald Trump’s actions and policies in his five months in office, second term.
The No Kings demonstration was part of a nationwide event which happened to be on Trump’s 79th birthday. Several involved said they were there to stand up for democracy and against authoritarianism. “I don’t believe we need to have a king in our lifetime,” said Suzanne Carter of Young Harris. “I’m protesting — exercising our First Amendment.”
Hayesville’s demonstration grew substantially as did the temperature between 12-1 p.m. At its peak, an estimated 640 No King participants were counted, according to a coordinator.
The event also drew a “Trump train,” parade of motorists driving back and forth along the short route waving flags and displaying their own signs supporting Trump. This originated in Cherokee County, but several Clay County residents joined in the procession. It was not a local GOP coordinated counter protest, according to Sheriff Mark Buchanan who said he had been contacted before the rallies by both groups.
With the exception of the constant stream of horns blowing, a few utterances of foul language and middle finger gestures, both sides seemed focused on exercising their freedom of speech and right to protest in a peaceful and non-violent manner.
“About 80 percent of the response has been positive,” said a protester. “To my knowledge there was no violence at all,” Buchanan said.
The sheriff ’s office was visible, but officers were stationed where they could observe from a distance. “Captain Bruce Moore, who joined the Clay County force from Sylva where several protests had been frequent brought a lot of experience to our planning,” Buchanan said. “That experience was priceless.”
The sheriff ’s office encouraged people to be “courteous, respectful and peaceful,” along with a list of regulations regarding actions on public property. Buchanan said those with the No Kings group notified them ahead of time “as they had done in the past.” They also received a permit from the Town of Hayesville. He said he was also notified that some local Republicans would be set up at the U.S. 64/69 Bypass selling Trump memorabilia.
“I’m not sure about the Trump train, I think they may have come mostly from Andrews. It wasn’t locally coordinated.” The “No Kings” theme was orchestrated by the 50501 Movement, a national movement made up of Americans who stand for democracy and against what they call the authoritarian actions of the Trump administration, according to the Associated Press. The name 50501 stands for 50 states, 50 protests, one movement.