VINTON — The second demonstration in less than a month occurred at the Benton County courthouse on Saturday April 19th, this one organized by Benton County residents Lois Mulvaney, Deb Vaughan, and Rylie Pflughaupt.
By 2:00 p.m. there were between 60 and 70 people gathered for the “No Kings!” rally, with more arriving throughout the duration of the event. According to event organizers, nearly 80 people participated in the demonstration.
Demonstrators carried signs that read “Protect Our Democracy,” “Disability Rights are Human Rights,” “Equality Harms No One,” “Vinton Needs AmeriCorps NCCC,” and many others. Some of the signs stated “We the people” which is also what the group chanted on their periodic marches around the courthouse.
Some demonstrators took the mic and spoke to the crowd expressing their concerns. Speakers included Lois Mulvaney, Eric Upmeyer, Rosemary Schwartz, and Tom Haugen.