The No Kings rally in Middlebury was a sight to behold. About 1,000 people of all walks of life, including 200 or more Middlebury College students, peacefully gathered on the Green in Middlebury in a show of collective concern for the country’s future, while demonstrating hope in the strength of our democracy.

The speeches were focused and inspiring. The crowd was spirited, motivated and moved by the words and actions of those fellow Americans around them intent to be a country “of the people, by the people and for the people.”

With American flags waving and signs rejecting rule by any dictator or king, it was a dramatic showing of patriotism and what it means to be an independent-thinking American. The concluding words of Pastor Co’Relous Bryant of Lincoln’s United Church, in a rousing rendition of MLK’s soulful rhetoric, were a particular delight.

These are what MAGA leaders are calling “rioters who hate America?” Only those with dishonest intentions could characterize one of the largest demonstrations in the nation’s history so wrongly. For those unable to attend, but want to get a sense of the rally, go to MCTV’s live coverage at tinyurl.com/2k6s627m.

Angelo Lynn