"Even before the No Kings rallies kicked off last weekend, some Republicans cast the protests in a sinister light. House Speaker Mike Johnson called them "Hate America" rallies. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent warned that they would attract "the most unhinged in the Democratic party." Instead, the rallies were most notable for a funhouse Noah's Ark of frogs, pandas, koalas, woodchucks, sharks and lobsters."
"In Washington, a poodle and a chicken danced to drum music with three dinosaurs next to the National Gallery, a short walk from the U.S. Capitol. Scott Rohrbach, a senior optical engineer at NASA, came dressed as a unicorn. It was not his first choice. "I would have come as a frog, but I couldn't find a frog," said Rohrbach, disappointed that all the frog costumes were sold out."
"Rohrbach said he came to protest because he fears that under President Trump, future elections may not be fair. He wore the costume to counter the Republican narrative that protesters like him are hate-filled, anti-American radicals. Inspiration from a frog suit "One of the things fascists can't handle is humor," said Rohrbach, who added that fellow protesters posed with him for selfies and kids gave him high-fives."
Rallies labeled No Kings featured participants in inflatable animal and mythical creature costumes to mock and counter portrayals of protesters as hateful. Some Republican leaders described the protests as 'Hate America' events and warned they would attract extreme elements, while protesters emphasized humor and creativity. Costumed participants included frogs, pandas, koalas, woodchucks, sharks, lobsters, a poodle, a chicken, dinosaurs and a unicorn, with attendees using costumes to engage families and pose for photos. Several protesters cited fears that future elections under President Trump may not be fair. The president dismissed the demonstrations as a joke and posted an AI-generated video ridiculing protesters.
Read at www.npr.org
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