Thousands pack City Park for Edmonds No Kings rally

The "No Kings" rally in Edmonds drew thousands to City Park as part of a global movement against the Trump administration and authoritarianism. With 117 events in Washington State alone, the rally highlighted the need for voter participation and the defense of democracy. Emcee Judi Gladstone inspired attendees to exercise their freedom of speech, while State Sen. Marko Liias condemned the administration's tactics, citing Trump's commutation of George Santos' sentence as a distraction from pressing issues. Edmonds City Councilmember Chris Eck shared an excerpt from Amanda Gorman's poem "The Hill We Climb" to emphasize the significance of the First Amendment.

Keynote speaker Rick Steves called for a nonviolent resistance movement to protect democracy, uniting attendees beyond party lines. He distinguished between principled Republicans and MAGA Republicans, urging a collective stand against the latter. The event also featured musical performances from local artists, enhancing the rally's spirited atmosphere. This gathering reflected a broader national sentiment against perceived authoritarian threats and the importance of civic engagement.