A tale of two South Carolina Republicans who went to No Kings protests | Opinion
Organizers estimate 5 million people joined “No Kings” protests against President Donald Trump Saturday in 2,100 U.S. cities and towns, including 15,000 people in 14 rallies in ruby red South Carolina. The White House estimates “over 250,000 patriots” lined a cloudy parade route to commemorate the Army’s 250th anniversary and Trump’s 79th birthday in Washington, D.C.
Likely inflated, perhaps by a lot, the crowd estimates don’t matter as much as the opinions of those who joined any of the festivities or judged them from afar on TV or social media. This country is in a war of words, from “America, love it or leave it” to “freedom not fascism.”
Given the choice between conflict and conversation with someone who sees the world differently, how many of us would choose the latter? How many of us would actually listen?
Saturday’s protests were largely peaceful, although police used flash-bang grenades, tear gas and batons on protesters in Los Angeles and said a man in Culpepper, Virginia, “intentionally accelerated his vehicle into the dispersing crowd, striking at least one person with his vehicle.”
Americans who showed up or tuned in saw something that should not so quickly be forgotten.
In fact, it should be considered contextually, as a whirlwind weekend we have rarely seen in American history. It began horrifically with the news that two Democratic political figures and their spouses were targeted for political reasons in Minnesota, one couple killed, the other hospitalized. That terrible tragedy put police on guard nationwide, left protest speakers adjusting what to say to those before them and led authorities on a massive manhunt to find the madman.
By Sunday night, they had the killer in custody, and President Donald Trump had doubled down on his divisive rhetoric. A night after Trump told U.S. Army soldiers in Washington that they have “made all Americans very proud,” Trump announced an expansion, specifically in cities such as Los Angeles, Chicago and New York he called the “the core of the Democrat Power Center,” of what he’s labeled the largest deportation program of undocumented immigrants in history.
So much for speaking for all Americans.
Trump’s hypocrisy cannot go unnoticed.
Just last week, he had acknowledged on his Truth Social site that “changes are coming!” to his aggressive immigration policy because “Our great Farmers and people in the Hotel and Leisure business have been stating that our very aggressive policy on immigration is taking very good, long time workers away from them, with those jobs being almost impossible to replace.”
To reiterate: He said that American farmers and business leaders — many of whom supported his presidency — will get a reprieve but that blue cities with the largest protests would suffer.
Connect his comments like puzzle pieces and you start to see a picture of an authoritarian.
So where do we go from here? Where’s the common ground? Is there any common ground?
The discussions started by two South Carolina Republicans who went to No Kings protests in the state on Saturday are illuminating: A former elected official took part in the large Columbia protest outside the State House that stretched along Gervais Street from Assembly Street to Sumter Street, while a current elected official traded barbs and middle fingers with protesters in Summerville as he drove down Main Street honking his vehicles’ horn in counter-protest.
First, Anne Marie Eckstrom Green, former chair of the Lexington 1 school board, announced on Facebook that she would be going to Saturday’s protest and urged others to join her.
“As a Christian, a lifelong Republican, and someone who grew up on the principled, conservative leadership of Ronald Reagan and Governor Carroll Campbell, I never imagined I would attend a protest — but this Saturday, June 14, I will,” she wrote.
“As Trump celebrates his birthday with a military-themed rally, I’ll be standing with others at the No Kings protest to affirm something simple but vital: In America, we don’t worship politicians. We hold them accountable. Our leaders are servants, not kings.
“If you believe that our nation’s strength lies in humility, not showmanship, and that faith and patriotism should never be used as tools for personal power or glory, join me tomorrow as we peacefully and prayerfully protest.”That night, she posted on Facebook, “#NoKingsDay in Columbia was an absolutely lovely day of community. Everywhere I turned there was generosity, kindness, and patriotism. The event opened with words from the coordinator encouraging the crowd to demonstrate in a way that sets an example of peaceful protest for the rest of the country, followed by the entire congregation reciting the Pledge Of Allegiance. I am proud to have been a part of it.”
One commenter wrote, “I appreciate your passion and commitment to your values — especially your desire to hold leaders accountable and preserve the principles that make our country great. As a fellow Christian and Republican, I agree that we should never idolize politicians or treat any leader as royalty. That’s not what America is about.
“That said, I don’t believe President Trump is acting like a king, nor do I see his rally as a rejection of humility or constitutional values. In fact, many of us support him because we believe he challenges a political system that has too often served itself instead of the people. His bluntness and strength may not be everyone’s style, but to millions of Americans, he represents
someone who fights for their concerns when they feel unheard.
“Celebrating his birthday with a military-themed rally isn’t about worship — it’s about honoring those who serve, standing up for our freedoms, and energizing people who feel that this country has been drifting from its founding ideals. It’s patriotic expression, not authoritarianism.”
Look at that: Civil conversation based on firm principles, not fingers in the wind.
Then look to Summerville where state Sen. Tom Fernandez, R-Dorchester, drove past a protest in his six-wheeled armored “Apocalpyse” Juggernaut vehicle with three U.S. flags waving in the back to commemorate Flag Day. When he drove that same vehicle to the State House on his first day, it had a sign displayed on the window that said, “My other ride has huge boobs.”
Saturday, Fernandez posted to Facebook a photo of him flipping off the crowd of protesters.
“Yes,” he began. “That is me.”
He wrote, “I drove down to the liberal protest today with American flags on the Juggernaut and gave a loud horn salute to celebrate FLAG DAY and the beauty of the First Amendment. That was the extent of my counter-protest... until several in the crowd shouted “F*** you, Tom!” and flipped me off. So I did what any red-blooded FREE American would do when someone cusses at and flips them off in public... I returned the gesture.
“Now gentle souled liberals shouting about ‘free speech’ are suddenly upset that I exercised mine. Let me be clear: you don’t get to dish it out and then cry foul when it’s returned. Just like protesters out west don’t get to throw rocks, burn cars, or attack LEOs without recourse.
“I’ll respect anyone’s right to protest, but I won’t sit quietly while being cursed at and flipped off by people who think that kind of behavior only flows ONE WAY.
“I’m not a king and I’m not your punching bag either. I’m a citizen, a public servant, and someone who believes the Constitution applies equally... no matter what side of the street you’re standing on.”
A commenter wrote, “What a beautiful and fitting display of patriotism on this Flag Day, to see hundreds of Americans waving our beautiful flag. It was a glorious rally, extremely well attended and totally peaceful. Glad you could share it with us.”
Another commenter wrote, “Do your thing Tom. For citizens and public figures alike, exercising these rights fosters a healthy democracy, promotes accountability, and ensures that power remains with the people. Upholding these rights is essential for maintaining the principles of liberty and justice that define American society.”
These uniquely South Carolina Facebook discussions made one thing clear: The vision for America is in the eye of the beholder. And while the voice of America right now is he who speaks the loudest IN ALL CAPS on Truth Social, speaking out against that, peacefully, with words and witty signs and growing numbers, is as American as you can get.
Let’s see how many people show up on the next day of national protest, and where the nation’s complex immigration issue goes from here, and measure the momentum of either side by that.
Let’s hope for more middle ground and fewer middle fingers.
This story was originally published June 17, 2025 at 5:00 AM with the headline "A tale of two South Carolina Republicans who went to No Kings protests | Opinion."