Westport’s “No Kings” rally today was loud. It was wide-ranging.
And it was very well attended.
Over 500 people gathered on Jesup Green for speeches and songs.
(Photo/Jerry Kuyper)
Susan Terry started the protest — one of nearly 3,000 nationally, all in opposition to President Trump and his policies — with a stirring rendition of “America.”
Congressman Jim Himes offered a powerful vision for the day. “We are here because we love America,” he said.
(Photo/Jerry Kuyper)
“The song we just heard talks about ‘brotherhood.’ We are all here — Democrats, Republicans and independents — in support of that great American dream of brotherhood.”
“Peaceful actions, consistent with American values, matter,” he continued. “Things may get worse before they get better. But we all have a role to play.”
Congressman Jim Himes
Other speakers included State Senator Ceci Maher, and State Representatives Jonathan Steinberg, Dominique Johnson and Matthew Blumenthal.
Dan Bikel — a Westporter, and son of folksinger Theodore Bikel — led a singalong to “We Shall Overcome.”
Another rally, a few yards away, was even larger.
Around 2,000 people lined the Ruth Steinkraus Cohen Bridge, from Taylor Place to Post Road West, holding placards and chanting slogans. It was at least as large as a similar “No Kings” event in June.
(Photo/Jim Honeycutt)
The crowd was buoyed by near-constant supportive honking, from vehicles driving slowly past on the Post Road.
There was an especially loud response by the operator of a long flatbed tow truck. On both sides of the bridge, the crowd roared its thanks.
Meanwhile in the river, 2 counter-protesters made their feelings known.
(Photo/Pam Docters)
But they were vastly outnumbered. Out-shouted. Out-flagged.
And out-signed.
(Photo/Jerry Kuyper)
(Photo/Jerry Kuyper)
The view from a passing car. (Photo/Dayle Brownstein)
(Photo/Catherine Campagnino)
(Photo/Richard Fogel)
Rally co-organizer Darcy Hicks, and husband Josh Koskoff.
(Photo/Catherine Campagnino)
(All photos/Dan Woog unless otherwise noted)
Love the photos and the great Turn out!
I am so PROUD to live in this town! What an amazing display of PATRIOTISM and LOVE OF DEMOCRACY! As a Jew I would like to challenge Mike Johnson on his statement that we are American hating Hamas loving people! Today made me so proud to be a part of a community that is ACTIVE in our Democracy! Yes, DEMOCRACY, the very word hated by Republicans and bigots. I truly do not understand how anyone supports Trump and I did not get held hostage to supporting him with my support of Israel.
Mike Johnson told us the crowd would be primarily Hamas supporters, Anti-America haters and last but not least, your friend and mine, antifa.
I looked all over this morning. I saw a shark and a chicken waving flags and having a peaceful, great time, but not a sign of the antifa crowd anywhere. I feel so ripped off.
Lots of Jews there!!!👌
So proud of my town!!!
And the winner is:
DOGS AGAINST NOEM ‼️🇺🇸
Tom, you’re losing it. I teed this one up for you: a perfect chance to weigh in on TDS. But you didn’t bite!
However, I do agree with your choice.
Thanks, Dan, for sharing these photos. Lots of fun and positive energy! Question for you and the 06880 hive: What’s the largest public protest in Westport history? I mean, other than, say, a Memorial Day parade or historic/anniversary occasion.
Great question, Scott. No “official” (or even unofficial) records are kept, obviously. But I’d put these up against the equally intense Vietnam protests of the late 1960s. Here’s an “06880” story that might be of interest: https://06880danwoog.com/2011/04/26/hell-no-we-wont-go/
Also, click here for a great Instagram video just posted by Pam Docters and Toni Mickiewicz, tying that Vietnam protest in with today’s: https://www.instagram.com/reel/DP9fYqrgBXg/?igsh=MWh3aWdkc3JqaXFjeg%3D%3D
Cool. Great link to your 2011 post. 1200 students makes a big difference, so my money’s on the October 15, 1969 protest. Mostly older crowd today; some kids but not many high schoolers. But that’s a ponder for another day…
MAGA, Make Argentina Great Again ( with 40 billion dollars)
America first, right MAGA?
During the shutdown, mind you.
it takes 2 to tango
The democrats are trying to prevent the loss of health insurance for millions of your fellow citizens. Sorry for the inconvenience.
A bunch of Rich white liberals of the new socialist party that can’t accept that Trump kicked your ass.
He is making America Great Again. With Kamala and AOC as your leaders of your party you will continue to lose. Lol!!
Still over 3 years left for Trump to continue to clean this country up after 4 years of hell.
Jd Vance will continue to make America Great Again. Get used to the losing woke people of Westport.
Look at those pictures from today. Does Westport even know what diversity is. As we visited last week my kids said why does everyone look so miserable around here. I said that’s because they feel entitled and they look down on you because you don’t agree with them politically.
Faith, Family and Freedom is back.
🙏🇺🇸🙏🇺🇸🙏🇺🇸🙏🇺🇸🙏🇺🇸
Jeff – Do you share the president’s view that the 1/6 crowd were “hostages” and “patriots” and that it was a “day of love”?
For extra credit, who won the 2020 presidential elections?
(Hint: I am NOT asking who was sworn in or who became. Who. Won?)
Russell, it’s wild how you bring up January 6th every chance you get to paint half the country as extremists, but now that Trump might be back in office, you’re suddenly the one talking about rebelling against federal law enforcement. Which is it, are you for law and order, or only when it suits your politics? You can’t spend years lecturing everyone about “threats to democracy” and then start cheering on defiance of the same institutions just because the election didn’t go your way.
I’ll answer your question after you answer mine.
Do you share the president’s view that the 1/6 crowd were “hostages” and “patriots” and that it was a “day of love”?
That’s what he said. Do you concur and why won’t you answer?
Russell, it’s not that I “won’t” answer, it’s that your question isn’t an honest one. You keep framing everything as a loyalty test instead of a discussion. I don’t need to agree with everything any politician says to make a point, and I’m not going to get boxed into one of your cowardly gotcha questions.
If you actually want a conversation, try addressing what I said instead of deflecting back to the same 1/6 talking points you bring up every time politics come up. Until then, it’s hard to take you seriously.
Fair enough. Your question, oddly enough was, am I for law and order? Let me make it crystal clear. I am for law and order for everyone in this country. And the SC made a major error when they bought the fictitious presidential immunity idea.
There. I answered your question. Now answer mine.
Let’s talk about those MAGA “Young Republicans” and their penchant for racism, Nazis and gas chambers — as exposed by Politico through their vile chats among themselves. This Administrstion is a friend to such creatures.
Here, I’ll gift you an article about it.
https://www.nytimes.com/2025/10/15/us/politics/young-republicans-texts-backlash-racist-homophobic.html?unlocked_article_code=1.uU8.tZMz.UKyscDKbCuI5&smid=url-share
Plenty of racism, not to mention violence, on your side too.
Prove it.
Assertions without evidence are now called “false assertions” (formally DBA as “lies”).
g o p. guardians of pedophiles
You are the exact reason I am a teacher.
where do I begin Jeff?
1.) Most Trump supporters that I know are uber wealthy or wealthy and that includes my dad. Tarriffs hurt all.
2.) Trump is taking away healthcare, medicare and Special Education from Middle Class and low income Americans.
3.) RFK said Circumcisions and Tylenol cause Autism bc he has a brain worm and needed to “ FIND” a cause so that they do not need to educate them or anyone for that matter. Now Measels are on the rise! Moronic choice for someone to be in charge of health. All doctors are against RFK.
4.) Pete Hegseth and office of WAR not Peace is directing a direct attack on our First Amendment and free press ( even my Trumpie dad agrees with that one!)
5.) Noem has planned an attack and civil ear against Americans.
6.) Trump is a pedophile on the Epstein list
7.) Jan 6- Trump’s Insurrecrion should have been the final straw.
8.) Pam Bondi serves the cheeto King , not the American public.
9.) The gaslighting of morons to think weaponization
of the FBI by an actual insurrection participant is good.
10.) All of this has inspired me to never stop teaching.
You teach?
Yes I do!👌 Do you have a problem with that? Are you going to threaten me now?
Sounded like an honest question to me? A good teacher welcomes questions and doesn’t consider them threatening.
Hi Stephanie, let me help unpack, but most of what you listed isn’t accurate.
1. Tariffs aren’t automatically bad. They’re meant to counter unfair trade practices and protect domestic jobs. Many countries use them strategically. They’re designed to level the playing field when foreign countries exploit cheap labor or unfair trade practices. Many economists agree they can protect domestic industries when used correctly.
2. Healthcare and Medicare haven’t been “taken away.” Both programs remain funded and active, the policy debates are about how to sustain them, not eliminate them.
3. RFK Jr. has made controversial comments, but he isn’t directing national health policy, and not “all doctors” share a single view on complex medical issues.
4. Pete Hegseth doesn’t lead a government “office of war.” He’s a Fox commentator. There’s no federal position like that
5. Kristi Noem hasn’t called for an attack or civil war. That’s an unfounded claim with no evidence.
6. The Epstein list doesn’t prove Trump is a “pedophile.” Multiple public investigations have not substantiated that claim. But again remind me who else is on that list: Bill Clinton, Alan Dershowitz, John Kerry, Al Gore, Andrew Cuomo, Noam Chomsky, Leon Botstein, Woody Allen….
7. January 6th was a riot, but there’s been no legal ruling that Trump “led an insurrection.” It’s a matter still under legal and political debate.
8. Pam Bondi is a former attorney general and political ally, not “serving a king.”
9. The FBI has faced criticism under multiple administrations and this isn’t new or unique to one president.
10. And yes, “never stop teaching” but teaching should start with fact-checking, not repeating rumors.
If we want to fix anything, we need honest discussion, not recycled headlines.
You forgot to mention that the importers just pass the new taxes/tariffs on down the line. It is the American consumer who ultimately pays those tariffs at the cash register or when they are tacked into their monthly debt.
Estimates are it will cost the average American household about an extra $4K a year. And just in time for Christmas! Too bad all those toys are going to cost a lot more this year.
You also forget to mention how the tariffs are destroying the American soybean industry and its farmers. Shingles don’t care and neither does Trump.
Russell, I get that tariffs aren’t free and that some costs can be passed down; that’s true of any trade policy. But your numbers and framing are misleading. The $4K-per-household claim comes from some of the highest-end, worst-case projections, not what actually happens for most Americans. In reality, tariffs are often targeted to protect specific industries and jobs, not to “punish” consumers.
As for soybeans, yes, some farmers were affected, but many others benefited from renegotiated trade deals and new market access. And claiming Trump “doesn’t care” ignores that trade policy always involves trade-offs; every administration faces winners and losers. Shingles or not, the discussion shouldn’t be reduced to fear-mongering about Christmas toys.
Still no Kings and still your President!!
Kevin,
What is Facism? Have you ever read the Federalist papers? The Constitution?
Stephanie, glad you aren’t my teacher and I feel sorry for anyone that you have taught. You should go back and hit a few more TDS talking points. What a joke.
Feel free to contact the parents of all the kids I have taught not to behave like Donald Trump!
TDS, is that a sexually transmitted disease Trump has?
I know, I know, Trump = Hitler (except when he visits Israel and makes a peace deal). He’s authoritarian, because he got elected in large part to enforce the immigration laws on the books and not let tens of millions of illegal migrants jaunt across our border with no ramifications; meanwhile, the left (as usual) is hysterical, blaming and vilifying law enforcement (and encouraging or giving permission to violence, which is dangerous). He does like the color gold a bit much for my taste, does that make him a king? I think not. Maybe he’s just a gaudy dude from Queens? Calm down, Westport, the pictures make you look ridiculous and performative! And your Mercedes, and BMWs (and Teslas!) (and Maserati’s) will be ok, and you’ll continue to be able, from your expensive homes, to virtue signal to the rest of the country from on high the views of the anointed. I strongly recommend Sowell for those with deep TDS…you’ll feel better.
At least you got around to “TDS”. I was worried for a second that you wandered off somewhere.
When you get a chance, please post some evidence for your assertions that anyone is “encouraging or vilifying violence”. Time to put up or shut up.
why did JD Vance call Trump Hitler then recently defended grown men of the Young Republicans who praised Hitler and gas chambers?
Your party is beyond fckd up!
Today I saw the biggest show of American patriotism I have ever seen!!!
Hmm… great turn out on the bridge and at Jesup Field today! So proud of those people who were able to participate in the No Kings protest and rally. Great photos too.
We need to understand that we elected a president we didn’t crown a king. Trump and his supporters need to get patriotic and read the constitution and comprehend that NO ONE! Is above the laws of our country. We have a convicted felon as our president! He continues to believe he is above the law and he really is only looking out for himself as the narcissist that he is. He isn’t looking out for the citizens that voted for him. He just likes having all the power he has taken. He is making lots of money for his own personal wealth. Which no other president of any party ever has before. He creates chaos with the market and then tells his major supporters when he will do this and when to buy or sell so they can make money too. The rest of us don’t get the insider information to make the money in time, so even many of the top 1% of the country (many live in Westport) don’t get those benefits. Yet we are all entitled to vote our own minds. I’m proud to say westport had no one throwing eggs or anything at any of the protesters and it was very peaceful for all.
So proud that Westport has eradicated constipation in the local horse population.
Love people expressing their First Amendment Rights. Peaceful, and no issues.
These now frequent exercises, continue to cost the taxpayers of Westport.
The overtime for our Police and Fire Department continues to add up. We are close to 100K this year. I do wish the organizers would at least make a donation to both the Police and Fire Department Benevolent Fund, or offer to pay some of the OT.
Maybe the next one have at Compo Beach or a Park…our merchants do suffer, as a lost Saturday is very hard to make up.
Overall, hats to the First Amendment and rights to protest.
Wonderful day. The issues are hugely serious. It is not about costs for police or fire, not about whether Trump was elected to address immigration problems, not about suggesting Westport is not diverse or even about horses and dogs. It could well be about our nation’s survival. Some believe Trump is doing things to make our nation survive. Others believe Trump and his team are doing things to destroy our nation. Those others believe that the actions of the Trump Administration are inconsistent with many norms, our laws and constitution. All of us must think, analyze and conclude. My conclusion is that I am truly scared for our nation, its commitment to the rule of law, the constitution, fair elections and civil, indeed kind behavior. We will have to see which group prevails. Everyone should be involved in their own ways. Inaction and silence are problematic. Today was important. The future resides with all of us.
except that the cards are severely stacked against traditional American values and democracy
Just a reminder of what the real threat looks like:
https://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2025/09/charlie-kirk-left-wing-terrorism/684323/
What about what the Young Republicans leaders said praising Hitler, gas chambers, and rape? Stefanik has been SILENT and cut of all comments on her Instagram page!
The studies have concluded that the rise of violence includes mass shootings in schools that Republicans also ignore bc they need to blame black and brown people in cities like Chicago for everything.
What have Republicans done to stop school shootings and gun violence?
No one praised Hitler, gas chambers and rape. You all looked ridiculous
Your comment is pretty ridiculous. Pointing to a few Young Republicans making outrageous statements and then acting like all Republicans are complicit in school shootings or ignore gun violence is a massive overgeneralization. Just like I’m not going to blame all Jews for the genocide Israel is committing in Gaza or the unprovoked attack on the USS Liberty. Holding an entire people responsible for a government’s actions is unfair and counterproductive. If we want real solutions, we need to focus on facts and accountability, not broad scapegoating.
want to bet we could all find articles blaming the other side?
I just want solutions, not more guns!
https://theconversation.com/right-wing-extremist-violence-is-more-frequent-and-more-deadly-than-left-wing-violence-what-the-data-shows-265367
Stephanie, it feels like every conversation turns into a political blame game. Yes, school shootings and gun violence are real problems, but pointing fingers at one party doesn’t fix them.
The Atlantic article I shared shows that left-wing extremist violence is real and rising. Your Conversation article even acknowledges this. Cherry-picking stories to demonize Republicans while ignoring left-wing violence isn’t a solution its just selective outrage.
If we actually care about preventing violence, we need to look at all threats honestly, not just the ones that fit a narrative.
The pictures say it all!!!!!
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