No Kings protesters occupy the sidewalk on Ninth Street.
Kathy Bademan and Valerie George brought their hats, gloves and winter gloves with them on a blustery and chilly Saturday morning in Ocean City.
They also brought something else – signs that denounced President Donald Trump as a would-be monarch.
Bademan and George, friends from Galloway Township, were among an estimated 1,500 to 2,000 protesters who marched in Ocean City in one of the more than 3,000 anti-Trump “No Kings” rallies spread across the country.
“I’m here to fight for democracy, because I love America,” Bademan said.
George bluntly described her disgust with the Trump presidency.
“I can’t possibly find a word in the English language for that piece of poop we have,” George said.
A few minutes later, she said a word finally came to her – “enough.” She stressed that she has had enough of Trump being in the White House.
The peaceful protest, organized by the activist group Indivisible, was the third time in the past year that protesters have gathered in Ocean City to criticize Trump and his policies.
Marchers waved an array of signs mocking Trump, denouncing the U.S. War against Iran and calling for the end of the Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency, better known as ICE.
“No Endless Wars, “No Kings, “No ICE” and “Hate Has No Home Here” were a few examples.
After gathering in the parking lot of the former McDonald’s restaurant to listen to anti-Trump speeches by Democratic political candidates, the protesters marched along the walkway on the Route 52 Causeway bridge to flash their signs and greet motorists driving into Ocean City on the Ninth Street corridor.
Many of the drivers loudly honked their horns, waved or flashed the thumbs-up sign in support of the protesters. Some insults were also heard from motorists as they passed by the marchers.
Ocean City resident Herb Whelan wants to get President Trump out of office "as soon as possible."Lorraine Kilpatrick, one of the organizers of the protest, estimated that 1,500 to 2,000 marchers took part in the rally.
Herb Whelan, an Ocean City resident, said he participated in all three No Kings protests held in Ocean City in the past year, last June, in October and Saturday.
Whelan held a sign that said, “No Kings in America Since 1776.”
He said his primary motivation for participating in the protest was to “get President Trump out of office as soon as possible.”
A handful of other No Kings protests were held in Atlantic and Cape May counties, including Atlantic City, Mays Landing, Galloway Township and Cape May Court House.
Protesters chanted, “Hey, Hey, Ho, Ho, Donald Trump has got to go,” as they marched along the walkway of the Route 52 Causeway bridge into Ocean City.
Protesters flash their signs while heading up the walkway along the Route 52 Causeway bridge.Lou Stricoff, one of the protest organizers, told the marchers that “a movement is growing” across the country to drive Trump and his administration out of office.
He said he hopes that the United States will simply return to the way of life before Trump became president.
“It was a lot better than the insane maniac we have in there now,” Stricoff said.
Giving the marchers an impromptu history lesson, Stricoff said that America has always opposed kings since 1776 and there should be no reason to stop now.
“What do we want?” Stricoff implored the marchers.
“No kings,” they responded in unison.
Guitarist Karen Kuhrt sings protest songs to the marchers.
Friends Kathy Bademan, left, and Valerie George carry signs urging peace and denouncing President Trump and his administration.
Marchers wave their signs while greeting motorists entering Ocean City along the Route 52 Causeway bridge.
Lou Stricoff, one of the protest organizers, addresses the crowd.
A crowd of protesters gathers in the parking lot of the former McDonald's restaurant to start the rally.
