‘No Kings’ Protest: Residents flock to Girdwood Rally
A large gathering for the “No Kings’ Rally was held in downtown Girdwood crowding all four corners of the intersection on Saturday (Photo by Soren Wuerth)
By Soren Wuerth
TNews Editor
Prior to Girdwood's "No Kings" protest Saturday a group of birders called for a vote.
Should the group participate in a local event held in conjunction with national rallies and marches to oppose policies of the Trump Administration?
"We all knew (protests) were happening," said Jake Mohlman, a guide for the birding group Wings. "Without a unanimous decision we wouldn't have come out."
So, on Saturday, they bought some materials, made signs and stood together on the corner of Hightower and Alyeska to help spread messages of dissent.
"We took a break from birding for one hour," Mohlman said.
"Which is a real sacrifice," added Sheri Robison, a birder from Idaho.
The birding group joined more than 70 mostly-local residents in the largest of four anti-Trump protests held in Girdwood, and one of among at least 17 protests held statewide. Demonstrations took place in more than 2,000 cities nationwide and in all 50 states.
"I'm really concerned about (Trump's) lack of respect for research and science," Robison said. "We can go on... with medicine, too."
Birders are worried about climate change and habitat protection, said another guide, particularly in the Arctic where threatened species like the spectacled eider face impacts from the loss of sea ice and the effects of oil and gas development. Between 1970 and 1993, spectacled eider population had dropped by 96 percent, researchers found.
Pamela Pautzke and her children Meriam and Bennett bubble with enthusiasm at Saturday’s “No Kings” Rally. (Photo by Soren Wuerth)
Cuts to the US Fish and Wildlife Service, clean water and air regulations and research grants all have the effect of undermining protections for birds, said Mohlman.
Others attending Saturday's protest in Girdwood said they were worried about threats and attacks on immigrants and protesters.
Rocky Plotnick, a third-generation Alaska, was on her way south from Anchorage when she heard there was a protest and wanted to help increase participation in Girdwood.
"Our numbers here in Girdwood are more important than in Anchorage," said Plotnick. "It's important to stand up to what's happening (to immigrants)."
Saturday's rally against policies of the Trump administration was the fourth held in Girdwood.
"It was a you-host-it-and-they-will come situation," said Emma Kramer, an organizer of the event. "It's a stage for people to have their moment in a smaller, community-based setting."
"It won't be violent. We can see each other," she said.
A group photo from the ‘No Kings’ Rally from Girdwood on Saturday afternoon. (Photo by Brooks Chandler)
Former Alyeska Resort CEO Chris von Imhof delivers his message from his golf cart, (Photo by Soren Wuerth)