HATTIESBURG, Miss., and JACKSON, Miss.—Thousands of Mississippians across seven cities took to the streets to demonstrate against the Trump administration over the weekend, citing the president’s actions on immigration and his wielding of executive power.
Statewide, between about 3,500 and 4,300 people turned out, based on estimates the Mississippi Free Press received from organizers and observers.
In Jackson, a crowd of roughly 1,500 protestors surrounded the Capitol Building, many inspired to march by the Trump administration’s mass detentions of immigrants and undocumented workers. Others cited executive overreach by the Trump administration, including the mass firings of federal workers and restrictive policies on LGBTQ rights.
Jackson Protesters Defy the Rain
Loudspeakers blasted music across the entrance to the Capitol. Bruce Springsteen’s “Born in the U.S.A.” played as the protesters circled the building. Flags—mostly American flags—that protesters had draped across themselves or were carrying in their hands fluttered in a passing storm that drenched the march, but did not disperse it.
“We’re tired,” said Ester, who, like many of the protestors, asked to be identified by her first name only. “We’ve seen how the wrong people are being targeted and we’re sick of it. I know there’s a lot more people who wanna come out here, but due to their legal status, are too afraid to come out and speak.”
Leslie Price said he had worked for the government for 22 years.
“I cannot believe the disgrace of them firing all of these federal employees,” he said. Disgraceful too, he added, was the targeting of “ the rights of gay people to live and love who they love—and women’s right to have an abortion. Why should they be subjected to possible death in an instance where a child is not coming out right?”
Countless placards dotted the protest. “Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses, yearning to breathe free,” read one. “Power to the people, not a crown,” read another. “Love and protection for our MS immigrant families,” proclaimed one banner.
Democratic National Committee Vice Chair Malcolm Kenyatta, a Pennsylvania state representative, also attended the protest. He gave a final speech, castigating the forces of Christian dominionism now ascendant in the halls of American power.
“You’ve got a lot of folks who want to talk about Jesus while ripping our neighbors out of their homes because they don’t have the right piece of paper,” Kenyatta said. “The Jesus of Bethlehem didn’t come and preach against the weak. He came to lift them up.”
‘We’re Here to Defend Democracy’
In Forrest County, Hattiesburg residents gathered near city hall, holding up signs criticizing Trump that prompted sneers from several men, including one who left a large cloud of black smoke lingering around a group of protesters as he took off in his truck.
Valerie Harger held up a cardboard sign that read, “We Are All God’s Children.” She said she showed up in reaction to Trump “snatching people off the streets” and “taking money out of our 401ks.”
“I’m worrying about my children’s future, ethnic people in this country. I’m just worried about everybody; I don’t care what color you are,” she said. “I just want everyone to have a nice, peaceful life.
Dr. Joshua Bernstein, a University of Southern Mississippi English professor, organized the protest along with Dr. Dick Conville, a retired professor of communication studies at USM, and local musician Rachel Ciraldo.
Bernstein estimated that between 300 and 500 people showed up—a relatively large protest for the Pine Belt college town.
“I think this shows that the majority of us don’t think what’s going on is ok and that we want to stand up for the rights of all people. We’re here to defend democracy,” he said.
Dr. Anita Henderson, a Hattiesburg pediatrician, protested along with her husband, neonatologist Dr. Randy Henderson. She held a sign calling for the firing of U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Dr. Robert F. Kennedy, who has a history as an anti-vaccine conspiracy theorist. She pointed to his decision to oust the U.S. Centers for Disease Control’s vaccine advisory committee, the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices.
“Pediatricians are alarmed by Robert Kennedy’s firing of the entire ACIP,” she said. “Vaccines have saved millions of lives worldwide and we’re concerned they the new committee, which has many anti-vaxxers appointed, will change the CDC schedule.”
Such a change, she said, could allow insurance companies to avoid paying for costly vaccines.
“Vaccines are expensive, so changing the schedule changes the ability for children to get vaccines,” the pediatrician said.
Two counterprotesters showed up to express their support for Trump. The young men, Colton Kimble and Lawson Campbell, stood outside the Porter Public House nearby, holding signs saying, “Not a King, a Champ! MAGA,” and “Our Home, Not Their Economic Opportunity.”
“We heard about this protest and wanted to make sure the other side was also heard,” said Campbell, who added that they were not affiliated with any organization.
The crowd of protesters also exceeded expectations in Hernando in northwest Mississippi, estimated Erin McElyea, the visibility committee chair for the local Indivisible chapter.
“Today, we took a stand and allowed our voices to be heard,” she told the Mississippi Free Press. “We had over 250 people show up in support, and I never dreamed it would be such a high turnout. We maintained a peaceful protest, even with counterprotesters. Our message is simple: We want to make sure the freedoms we all enjoy are protected from authoritarian leadership. There are no kings in America.”
In Gulfport, around 500 people showed up to protest. That included Richard Jones.
“I’m a retired military guy and I’m out here to protect what I swore to protect,” which is the Constitution, he said.
Protests elsewhere in the state also drew hundreds, with organizers estimating that about 300 people showed up in Starkville; 350 in Tupelo; and between 350 and 400 in Oxford.
Kitty Nash contributed to this report from Gulfport, Mississippi.
Tap or click here to see photos galleries from the No Kings Day protests in Mississippi.
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