PALM COAST, Fla. – “I’m so happy to see as many people come out today to basically make a statement against what the President is doing and to try to support the people, not the presidency,” said Palm Coast resident Suzer Sachs as the rain drops started to fall and the gathering came to a close.
Seeking to understand why Sachs was among the people taking part in Saturday’s “No Kings Day” rallies, she shared her concern for a specific action taken by the President.
“I don’t think that he is in any position to take people out of their jobs,” she said. “People have been working and climbing up the corporate ladder for years and he just comes and plucks them out because they don’t agree with him.”
Related to the DOGE cuts, not the current situation with immigration, Sachs’ concern is with the loss of agency and departmental leadership taking place as the Trump administration looks for ways to reduce the deficit and downsize the government.
“I don’t understand that. There’s been no controversy about people holding higher positions and suddenly he just plucks them out,” she reiterated.
Sachs previously worked for the Park Authority in Virginia and is concerned about the impact the changes may have on the parks.
“He’s just going to take away all our parks,” she said. “There’s so many here in Palm Coast and there are not a lot of things to do here except explore our parks, go to the beach, and explore the fabulous life that we have here. It hasn’t really hit us locally, but he’s working on it.”
“They’re going to suffer, they’re not going to have any directors, they’re not going to have any employees. He’s taking that away,” she said about the national parks.
Sachs’ concerns are echoed by 4.3 million members of the Alt National Park Service social media page, which reported more than 11 million participants in the “No Kings Day” activities across the nation as of 10 p.m. Saturday evening.
“All we can do is vote. I think people are very private about where they stand in our society, especially the Democrats. We’re not coming out and going hey, hey, I’m right, you’re wrong, whereas the Republicans are doing that. I think that we need to just gather together and find out who we are and how we can make a statement. Making a statement is irrelevant if no one’s listening. You have to vote,” added Sachs.
Asked what her message would be to President Trump if she could say something to him, she paused before sharing her answer.
“I don’t back what he’s doing. We’re a free country. Leave us to be free. And get off your high horse. You’re not God, you’re not the king of the United States. We have rights. Listen. Listen to the people.”
Sachs was part of a group demonstrating in Flagler County along Palm Coast Parkway, while other rallies took place around the county.
“People are kind of afraid of what’s happening. Unless we voice our opinions and our rights, he’s not going to pay attention. We’re always peaceful. I’m thrilled with how many people came out. That was an awesome showing. That was just terrific, and I’m thrilled.”
The rallies coincided not only with President Trump’s 79th birthday, but Flag Day and a national celebration commemorating the 250th anniversary of the United States Army.
