Amid Oktoberfest crowds, Leavenworth protesters rally for democracy

LEAVENWORTH —Coinciding with the last weekend of Oktoberfest, Leavenworth’s “No Kings” protest on Oct. 18 drew in an estimated 600-700 visitors and locals, making it one of this year’s most attended protests.

“We have grandchildren that we love, and we want them to grow up in a country that has credible leaders and a joyous democracy that they can thrive in,” said protestor Jerry Phillips.

Echoing the sentiment of national protests, participants called for stronger election protections, greater funding for social programs, support for federal workers, and an end to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operations “terrorizing” workers and families.

“We are very concerned with the heightened militarism of ICE. Many families in the valley live in fear of being terrorized and have experienced painful deportations in their families in the past,” said NCW United rally leader Judy Derpack.

The local protest was organized by NCW United, a local civic engagement and advocacy group that formed in 2016. This year, NCW United has organized major protests such as “Hands-Off” in April, “May Day Strong” in May, “No Kings” in June, and “Good Trouble Lives On” in July. It has also maintained a presence of protesters along US-2 on Sundays throughout the summer.

“I wanted to get involved, because I think we absolutely have to stand against what's happening. I think a lot of people are unaware, actually, of the rights that are being taken – what's at stake here,” said Emily Parham, one of NCW United’s newest organizers.

Leavenworth resident Kay Lisch said she was primarily motivated to protest in support of her son, a neurologist in Tennessee. 

“He wants to find a cure for Parkinson's [Disease]. That's why he got the degree. His research money that he was promised got taken away because they don't have enough money to run the hospital there…My husband has Parkinson's. His mother had Parkinson's. My dad had Parkinson's. It's a disease that we're close to finding a cure for, so if we can support our researchers and provide just barely enough money for them, they will do it,” said Lisch.

Taylor Caldwell: 509-433-7276 or taylor@ward.media