Five dogs and more than 100 protestors gathered Saturday at Tlingit Park Longhouse to participate in the nationwide No Kings protest. This was the third demonstration, organized by Haines AKtive and included a silent march from the park to Main and Third. 

“We just feel like maybe it makes more of a statement,” said Nelle Jurgeleit-Greene, an organizer. 

Burl Sheldon welcomed the crowd and then played a few songs with Tom Heywood, including Bruce Springsteen’s “Streets of Minneapolis.”

Other speakers read from the First Amendment and an excerpt of Anne Frank’s “Diary of a Young Girl.” Debbie Gravel told people about the paperclip resistance movement in Norway during World War II when Oslo University students wore paper clips to demonstrate their opposition to German occupiers. 

As the protesters began their trek to Main Street, Gravel handed out red paper clips for protesters to wear on their jackets or scarves.

“Sometimes when you’re resisting times of oppression, solidarity is everything,” Gravel said. She keeps coming to rallies, she said because, “I realize we can’t effect change from Haines, but it’s such a mood booster to feel unity and solidarity with other people of like minds.”

John Norton carried a sign with “Justice for all” written on it. He said he hoped that “participation here adds to the many voices across America that are speaking out against the injustices that we see happening, not only in our own country but in other nations around the globe.”

Jurgeleit-Greene said she has attended five or six No Kings protests, including some in the Lower 48. 
“To come out in this freezing weather shows our resolve to stick to upholding democracy,” Jurgeleit-Greene said. “We want justice for all, no matter who is here. We believe in our constitution, and we want it upheld.”

Editor’s Note: This story has been edited for grammar and punctuation.