On Oct. 18, thousands of Corvallis residents lined four blocks around the Benton County Courthouse. Holding signs and shouting chants. Most of them, protesting with one idea in mind.
“I like to dress up and fight fascism. It’s a wonderful combination,” said Lexi Arends, dressed up as the famous cryptid “mothman” holding a witty sign criticizing the current administration.
“We get a little depressed and in our own heads. So coming out here and seeing this makes you realize what you’re seeing on your screen is a blatant lie.”
The protest itself had many sights with frog imagery and inflatable costumes similar to protests north in Portland. Many of the protesters wore their ideas on their sleeves with costumes or colors.
According to a statement from organizing group, Indivisible Benton County, “a crowd of 5500 protesting at the Benton County Courthouse. They joined millions of Americans in the second No Kings Day of Action, a nationwide day of nonviolent protest against the growing authoritarianism of President Trump’s administration.”
In addition to the blocks of downtown being occupied, a march down to the waterfront markets with hundreds in attendance took place at noon. Coming back to the main event and dance party through Madison St.
Although only some were walking, everyone in attendance came from different walks of life. A wide variety of community members from teachers to students, old to young. All had their reasons for being there, including some who remember a similar past.
Micheal Henthorne, executive director of the Memorial Union and Student Activities at Oregon State University describes, “I think the country is waking up… I think people are seeing the lives of their children disappearing into tyranny… I lived through the Vietnam War era and I saw protests equal to this. And we turned this country against that war, we can turn this country against the Trump regime.”
“I can’t stand to see what has happened to my country… When I was in Vietnam, this was inconceivable to me the way that this country has gone. This festering oligarchy,” Sam Clarke said — an air force veteran from the Vietnam War, who came with support from his family.
But as older members of the community came together in support and solidarity, the younger members of Corvallis had more to say and more to show on this second time around.
Some younger members made intricate costumes and even a large paper mache Orca depicting “White Gladis,” an orca responsible for sinking yachts off the coast of Portugal. Others carried signs with lines such as “GIVE ME RIBBERTY OR GIVE ME DEATH,” while some busted a move in an organized dance party.
Dylan Langford, a mechanical engineering student at OSU gave some words on why he was there for a second time. “I think people are angrier… This administration is becoming a complete dictatorship… They are coming after freedom of speech, they are not listening to (the) right to trial… It’s completely unacceptable.”
Afterwards adding, “It’s finally starting to sink in, it’s finally working the more that we fight back.”
Newer members of Corvallis shared this idea.
“The more noise we make, the more we’re gonna be heard… I’m more surprised at how big the outcome was… I used to be from South Carolina, so protests like this I heard was shut down quickly. So seeing literal cars driving by throws me for a loop.” Jessie B.D said, who moved to Corvallis at the start of the term.