REGIONAL — Hundreds of residents turned out across the Iron Range on Saturday for No Kings rallies in both Ely and Cook, joining similar demonstrations held nationwide in opposition to the Trump administration.
In Ely, the turnout exceeded expectations. Anna Thompson, an organizer with Ely Indivisible, said the group had hoped for 250 attendees but the crowd swelled to somewhere around 325 people.
“We just all had a great time,” Thompson said. “Most people stayed for an hour and a half at least, and I just heard positive comments.”
The mood was largely celebratory, with a steady stream of honks from passing motorists offering encouragement. Thompson noted that a couple of trucks drove by too fast and appeared hostile but said the crowd had no significant problems.
About 150 people gathered simultaneously in Cook City Park, where the afternoon began with speeches and protest songs before most of the crowd moved to Hwy. 53, stretching south from the River St. corner to make their homemade signs visible to passing traffic.
From the park gazebo, Cook resident George Pliml set the tone for the afternoon, urging those gathered to stay engaged and take personal responsibility for the direction of the country.
“You, like me, felt the need to gather not only to be with like-minded people, but to make a statement that we are not okay with what is happening to our country,” Pliml said. “And we all realize we will not be saved by a hero wearing a cape. It is up to us.”
He encouraged attendees to see Saturday’s event as a beginning rather than an end.
“Democracy is not a spectator sport,” Pliml said.
That message resonated with Cook area resident Doug Nakari, who said he had attended the No Kings event last fall and returned Saturday as his concerns have continued to grow.
“Things have only gotten worse since then, so I guess I can’t stop coming to these events until things improve,” Nakari said.
Nakari pointed to climate change as his top concern, saying the current administration has actively set back progress on the issue rather than simply failing to advance it. He also cited concerns about war spending, the economy, and what he described as a lack of meaningful oversight from Congress.
For Beth Wilenius, a kindergarten teacher, the motivation to attend was rooted in values she works to instill in her students every day.
“It’s just very important to me to show signs of solidarity for peace and justice and equality and fairness for all people,” Wilenius said. “Regardless of who you are and what you believe, what makes you you is unique and special. And those are things to be celebrated and appreciated rather than cause division and anger and hate and violence.”
Wilenius said her message for the day was straightforward: “Just send a message of kindness. Treat others the way you want to be treated. It’s that simple.”
Back in Ely, Thompson said the rally’s success was a community effort. Ely Indivisible, which was founded in July of last year, had only two members of its original planning committee on hand Saturday because illness and travel had thinned the organizing ranks. But friends and community members stepped up to register attendees, monitor the crowd, and keep things running smoothly.
“I emailed them, and they would email back and say, ‘Yeah, sure, I’ll help, just tell me what to do,’” Thompson said, noting that everyone braved cold weather and snow flurries to make the event happen.
Thompson said the group expects additional No Kings events this summer and fall as it continues to build momentum.
Anyone interested in getting involved or learning more can visit elyindivisible.org, where they can also sign up or donate.
Robert Monteith contributed to this story.