Thousands attend SC ‘No Kings’ protests

COLUMBIA — Thousands of South Carolinians who oppose the Trump administration poured onto the Statehouse grounds as part of a national Flag Day protest in all 50 states.

The coast-to-coast “No Kings” protests on Saturday, held on a day celebrating the official adoption of the American flag by the Second Continental Congress, coincided with President Donald Trump’s birthday and a major military parade on the streets of Washington, D.C., to honor the 250th anniversary of the U.S. Army.

In addition to the rally in South Carolina’s capital city, thousands attended similar events across the Palmetto State, including Greenville in the Upstate, Charleston and Summerville in the Lowcountry and the Charlotte suburb of Rock Hill, area media outlets reported.

The protests went on with no reports of violence or acts of destruction despite earlier concerns and a warning issued ahead of the events by S.C. Attorney General Alan Wilson.

Protesters in Columbia filled the lawn and lined the street from corner to corner in front of the Statehouse as afternoon temperatures climbed to nearly 90 degrees. They waived American flags and hoisted signs with slogans on a host of issues, including deportation of immigrants, cuts to Medicaid, threats to civil liberties and democracy and attacks on the LGBTQ+ community.

For Tessa Gonzalez, her 8-year-old daughter, Ana Sofia, and concerns over potential cuts to Medicaid were her motivation for attending the demonstration.

The young girl has a rare genetic mutation, known as CASK, and requires a specialized wheelchair and nutritional formula.

“My daughter, 100% depends on Medicaid to provide the medicine, equipment, everything that she needs to lead a happy, healthy life,” said Gonzalez, a pediatrician from Elgin. “So it’s essential.”

With her wheelchair and other equipment, Ana Sofia is able to go to school and attend events in the community. She particularly enjoys swimming and splashing in the water, Gonzalez said. And she loves music. Her favorite song is “APT” by Bruno Mars.

The Gonzalez family carries private insurance to help cover Ana Sofia’s cost of care. But Medicaid covers things private insurance does not, like the $20,000 wheelchair she needs and which has to be upgraded every few years.

“She would just have to be in the house and never out, never doing anything,” Gonzalez said. “She has a sister and a family who absolutely loves her. I don’t know what we’d do without her.”

Events like the protest on Saturday lets the family know they’re not alone in their concerns, Gonzalez said.

“There are so many of us who are feeling similarly,” she said. “But we have to make our voices heard, whether that’s calling our representatives, coming out to rallies. We can’t just sit by and let all of this happen. We have to take action.”

Kevin Brown, of Columbia, attended the protest Saturday in support of the transgender community.

The 41-year-old business owner said he has friends who are transgender.

“These are people I know and I’m scared for them,” he said. “I think it’s important for us to have a loud voice and be visible because there are so many who can’t speak for themselves.”

A trio of friends from Lexington, Jake Yanity, Sean McCall and Sebastian Albert, said they were angered by the estimated $25 million to $45 million military place taking place at the same time in Washington, D.C. They felt the money would be better spent on improving K-12 education or funding national park operations.

“That’s a lot of money; that could fund a lot of schools,” said Albert, who is 22-years-old and recently graduated from college.