Hundreds attend local 'No Kings' protest

PERKINS TWP. — On Saturday, a few million people across 2,500-plus sites in all 50 states took part in a "No Kings" protest against U.S. President Donald Trump's administration. Among them: a local rally in the greater Sandusky area. Several hundred people exercised their First Amendment rights by lining Milan Road (U.S. 250) in front of the Sandusky Mall complex, holding signs and visually showing their collective displeasure for Trump. Protestors expressed outrage, discontent and a lack of confidence over Trump, specifically citing immigration detentions carried out by oft-masked Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents, the administration's aggressive slashing of federal education resources and environmental protections, gerrymandering and other concerns, according to NPR. At the Sandusky site, many motorists zipping by honked their horns: some in a sign of solidarity, others expressed grave displeasure with protestors. The "No Kings" phrasing stems from how many perceive Trump's "authoritarian agenda." Many believe Trump acts more like a monarch than an elected official. At the Sandusky event, Perkins police officers said no issues threatening public safety occurred, and they didn't make any arrests, signaling a peaceful protest. Editor's note: After publication of this story, a minor misdemeanor charge that was filed during the event came to light. A 17-year-old boy from Canton was charged with misdemeanor disorderly conduct for allegedly flashing a BB gun at a protester. He was released to his family after police charged him and seized the BB gun. It wasn't clear why the incident was not mentioned by police when asked for this story.