Protesters line the Route 52 bridge into Ocean City. (Photos by Olivia Prusky)
On Ocean City’s Route 52 Causeway bridge, a woman in the passenger seat of a black pickup truck yelled out her window: “I voted for Trump!”
Two gray-haired protesters waving miniature American flags cried back, “Why? Why? Why?”
Light rain and a bay breeze misted the faces of more than 700 “No Kings” protesters standing on the sidewalk of the bridge, overlooking the bay.
The demonstrators spread out over a mile on Saturday afternoon, all the way from the Ocean City Welcome Center to the corner of Bay Avenue and 9th Street. Part of nationwide protests to denounce the actions of the Trump administration, Ocean City and South Jersey marchers gathered to chant, “This is what democracy looks like.”
The protest was organized by Indivisible, a national organization that fights for democracy. “No Kings Day” was established in response to a military parade thrown by President Donald Trump that formally celebrated the military’s 250th birthday – but also coincided with Trump’s 79th birthday.
The rally aimed to showcase objections to what protesters deem authoritarian maneuvers by Trump.
Hundreds of protesters turn out for the rally. Louis, an organizer who wished to be identified only by his first name, said that after the election, he wanted to do more than post his anger on social media. He approached Indivisible, and upon discovering that there was no Ocean City chapter, he created one.
“I got grandkids, you know,” Louis said. “Where was I when this was going on? Was I letting the country slip into Project 2025? You’ve got to stand, and now is the time.”
Despite Ocean City leaning more conservative, the protest’s large turnout filled the bridge and poured into the street. People of all ages participated, some even bringing dogs with signs attached to their collars. Cars driving across the bridge either honked in support, or yelled choice words at the protesters.
Ed O’Donnell, a local celebrity who has run for president as a third party candidate for 30 years, attended the rally. The Ocean City resident said, “That $45 million parade? How many homes could that money build for the homeless?”
Anika Melludi, left, and Ella Rivera display their protest signs.While the crowd skewed on the older side, many young people also showed up to the event. Ella Rivera, 19, carried a Taylor Swift inspired sign that read, “The Smallest Dictator Who Ever Lived.”
Rivera, joined by her friend, Anika Melludi, shared that she came out to protest because she cares about protecting women’s rights, the rights of immigrants, and keeping families together.
“I mean, there’s just so many different things,” Rivera said.
Local Democratic organizations assisted Indivisible’s volunteers in putting on the protest. Janet Yunghans, president of the Upper Township Democratic Club, said that her organization had been relatively small, but in the past year participation grew from 30 members to 80.
“The residents are very upset and worried for their democracy,” Yunghans said. “They want to know what they can do. So that’s why we work very closely with Indivisible.”
Protester Charles Wray Jr. makes his feelings known. Accompanied by protests in Atlantic City and Cape May Court House, these typically serene beach towns showed a rare occasion of political resistance. Ocean City drew in hundreds of visiitors for its political protest, rather than its usual attractions, such as the Boardwalk.
Rosanna Racamato, one of the protesters, summed up the sentiments of most of the protesters: “We want our democracy back. We want our benefits back. We’re tired of all the lies.”
