Between 650 and 700 protesters turned out for Saturday’s “No Kings Day” protest in Boerne, chanting, waving signs and cheering the frequent horn honks of motorists driving by the protesters’ position on Main Street.
“This has far exceeded expectations,” said rally coordinator Peg Layton. “We thought we might get 300 here. But we have given out 500 stickers and we know we’re about 100 short, so there’s probably at least 600 people here.”
Protesters lined Main Street in front of the Boerne City Hall building, with overflow crossing the street — mingling with about 30 Trump supporters who showed up to support the President, who turned 79 Saturday, the same day as Flag Day and the 250th anniversary of the U.S. Army.
The “No Kings Day” protest was part of a national rally in cities across all 50 states, organized by people who oppose the president’s policies and actions.
“They feel the need to come together for a common cause. They are all just really frustrated by what's going on,” Layton said.
The large turnout was unexpected, she said, “but we’re delighted. People are from all over the Hill Country. They are here from San Antonio, we even had one person from Houston, I don’t know how that happened.”
Stephanie LaFroscia, from San Antonio, said she showed up to speak up before it’s too late.
“We just want to protect our rights to speak up while we still have them,” LaFroscia said. “If we’re quiet and stay invisible, like they want us to, then we’ll lose them altogether.”
Tammilee Peoples of Boerne said she came to speak out in opposition “to what’s happening; we’re losing power in our country.”
“This (turnout) exceeded my expectations for the day. I feel like I’m part of a bigger thing than I could have hoped for,” Peoples added.
Dick Logan, of Spring Branch, a government teacher, said he came to protest actions being taken by the Trump administration.
“That’s not the way government is supposed to work; today is how it’s supposed to work,” Logan said. “They are trying to rewrite history and erase the things that don’t look the way they want them to.”
This isn’t the first trip to a Boerne protest for Logan and his wife.
“This is the third time we’ve come to Boerne, and we really like it,” he said. “This is a great turnout — a great sign, a sign of things to come.”
He said they expect to be back on July 4 for another rally.
Several dozen Trump supporters made their way to Main Street, to voice their opinions as well.
One woman wearing red, white and blue overalls, a star-spangled hat, a Trump flag around her neck and another in her hands, arrived early, the first of the Trump backers to take up a spot in the shade.
“I was here first, I just put in my earbuds and danced away,” said Boerne resident Anna Romanazzi.
Romanazzi frequently voiced her support for Trump when passing cars honked, or when the “No Kings” protesters began one of their frequent chants.
“I don’t understand why they’re so angry,” Romanazzi said. “They had four years of their lovefest (with President Biden).
“Trump won the popular vote, the electoral college and all the swing states. America has spoken,” she said. “We had to sit and be quiet for a long time. Now it’s our turn.”
“I didn’t come here to cause trouble,” she added, “I just wanted to show my support. It’s the 250-year anniversary for the Army, it’s Flag Day.”
As a Boerne resident, she said she failed to recognize most of the protesters.
“I live in Boerne, I shop and eat here all the time, and I don’t recognize any of these people,” she said. “I don’t know where they came from, but this isn’t Boerne. Boerne’s red,” alluding to the area’s near-80% support for Republican candidates and office holders in recent elections.
Boerne police were present on both sides of Main Street, reminding protesters to stay out of the street, which remained open to traffic.
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