WEST CHESTER — It was a time for the future of America to speak up.
The No Kings 3 rally at the Historic Courthouse, a passionate and peaceful response to the policies of the Trump administration, featured only high school speakers and was one of four demonstrations held Saturday in Chester County.
The event was sponsored by Chester County Indivisible and donations were directed to The Fund for Women and Girls.
Chester County commissioners Chair Josh Maxwell was the only elder to speak. He emceed the event attended by several thousand demonstrators holding signs high, applauding, booing and chanting.
“While we are honored to have our dedicated legislators attending in solidarity with us on the dias today, they are not here to lead,” Maxwell said. “They are here to listen.
“They are here because they recognize that the moral compass of our country often starts with the courage of our youth,” he continued. “No one is above the law. No one is king. And no one is more capable of leading us forward than the young people in this community.”
Gabriela Luz Poyo is a student at Westtown School and said that Trump is waging a war against the students of America and children are afraid to show up to school.
“Your greatest weapon is your vote,” she said.
Emma and Rosalyn shared the podium.
First-generation immigrant Rosalyn said that immigrants in the past learned to build a life here and they believed in this country and then you belonged.
Today they are told something different.
“We have to speak up when people in our schools and neighborhood are dehumanized,” said Emma, a second-generation immigrant.
Charles Dempsey is a Downingtown East High School student.
“We are gathered here today because we believe in that message of love,” he said “We must never give up our souls.”
Rose C. addressed oppression of women and girls.
“Tradition isn’t always happiness,” she said. “We don’t think about tradition. We don’t question it. Our Constitutional rights are under attack. You’re either part of the problem, or you’re part of the solution.”
Autumn Breeze performed the Billie Eilish song “Your Power” to much acclaim.
Student Tavon Montanez talked about cuts to the arts.
“When you decide which stories get told and which stories don’t … you don’t just lose art, you lose access and lose opportunity,” he said.
Montanez said that no one person should get to decide whose art gets to be heard.
Jamila Burgos is a Westtown School student.
“We are a race, the human race,” she said.
A No Kings march and rally was also held in Media on Saturday.
