“No Kings” protest held at 7th and Range Line in Joplin

A large crowd turned out Saturday afternoon in Joplin for the “No Kings” protest.

The event took place at the busy intersection of 7th and Range Line in Joplin.

Bradley Bos, an event planner for the group Indivisible Joplin, said 360 people had RSVP’d in advance but the event drew a crowd estimated at around 500 people.

“No Kings” protests against President Donald Trump’s policies are scheduled in nearly 2,000 cities across the U.S. Saturday as a military parade rolls in Washington for the Army’s 250th anniversary – which is also Flag Day and Trump’s birthday.

The protests, organized by the 50501 national movement, are meant to counter what the policies of the Trump administration on a day that coincides with Trump’s 79th birthday.

Bos said the age range was 18 to and as old as 73 – although a number appeared much older than that.

“I think what the administration’s approach now is very hard-handed,” Boss stated.  “I think if they just softened the tone … and focused on the community aspect instead of what is blue and what is red or what’s is gray…. that would help a lot.”

Cater-cornered from the main protest, a very small group of Trump supporters held flags and waved at passing motorists,

One of those protesters took a conciliatory tone.

“This is our freedom right here,” a man who identified himself as Clayton.

“Them over there and us over here. We could all be together and it would still be peaceful, hopefully. That’s the American dream.

Clayton held a large “Trump” flag.

“I just want the people who do the wrong thing to be  held accountable,” he continued.  “If you come across the border illegally, it’s a crime, in my opinion.”