On Saturday, the Polk County Democratic Women held a “No Kings Rally” in Stearns Park. (Photos by Storme Smith)

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COLUMBUS—On Saturday, approximately 240 community members from across Polk County gathered at Stearns Park from 10 a.m. to noon to demonstrate at a “No Kings Protest Rally.”

Those in attendance emphasized a commitment to upholding the U.S. Constitution, supporting Ukraine, and advocating for an end to recent nationwide immigration crackdowns. A large number of cars passing by expressed their support for the rally through honking, and some even stopped to join in. 

The Polk County Democratic Women’s Club organized the event as a platform for community expression. Robbie ter Kuile, the club’s president, conveyed the core message, “All Polk County Voices Matter.” 

“We felt it was important for Polk County to have its voice heard,” Ter Kuile said, highlighting the collective need for civic engagement. Although initially not branded as a “No Kings Rally,” the event naturally evolved to align with 2,000 other rallies across the country that promoted collective action and understanding. 

At one point, demonstrators participated in a rendition of Woody Guthrie’s “This Land Is Your Land,” rewritten to reflect the unique experiences of the Polk County community, underscoring the significance of inclusivity in political dialogue.

Dr. Leslie Koretz, a featured speaker at the rally, addressed attendees with a focus on personal agency in today’s political climate. 

Koretz shared a list of steps individuals can take to make a difference, including building grassroots movements to amplify voices, supporting local and independent journalism, educating communities about their rights, and collaborating with local organizations to help marginalized communities.