Lincoln, NE – Thousands of protesters attended the ‘No Kings’ Day demonstration on Saturday, June 14. This nationwide protest denounced President Trump’s military parade and policies. A common theme was criticizing the Trump administration’s immigration policy and treatment of immigrants.
At the protest, Mexican music played, and people waved their Mexican flags as they marched. People shouted ‘si se puede,’’ an iconic Latino chant, referencing the Hispanic field worker protest in the ‘70s. There was a large support for the Mexican immigrant community.
Alejandra ‘Ale’ Fernandez is an organizer of a protest that took place on Saturday. The Cuban-American wanted to organize an event to give people a voice. She thought back to her culture, the Cuban revolution as an inspiration to speak out.
“We don’t want a revolution. We demand reform. We are not fighting our government; we simply hold it accountable to its promises of liberty and justice for all,” she said.
Fertunato Sanchez, the manager of Cielito Lindo, a local Mexican restaurant, showed his support in a different way. He brought over two dozen bottles of water to the protestors, while they marched in 90-degree heat. Sanchez said he felt satisfied being able to make a contribution to the movement.
“We want our voice to be heard so that it can be a benefit for our people. For our community. And not just for Hispanic people but for all Americans. Those from anywhere in the world who are here in the United States to have their voices heard,” he said.
Esmeralda Erguin, a Mexican-American, carried a flag of both Mexico and the United States while she marched. Erguin comes from a migrant family and is speaking out for other immigrants coming to this country for their family.
“I wouldn’t be who I am without my parents traveling here,” she said, “ So I really respect them for making that effort and coming to America.”
Hailey Fischer works at an immigration law firm in Lincoln. Since the election, Fischer finds the recent events regarding immigration as ‘messed up.’ She notes that the people being deported are looking for freedom, a foundation America is built on.
“We were built upon immigrants. We were built upon people of color, and we deserve to remember that, and history has its eyes on us. It’s now or never. If we ignore it, it’s only going to get worse,” she said.
Fischer cited the musical, ‘Hamilton’ as inspiration, which is a story about America’s immigrant founding father, Alexander Hamilton.
Erika Cuevas, a daughter of immigrants, carried her “resistance melts ice” sign in red, white, and blue down O Street. Cuevas came out to support immigrants and speak out against the injustices happening in her community.
“I hope it unifies people,” she said of the protest. “I’m so thankful to see all the people that are here in Lincoln, that have come out to support this cause. And I hope it gives hope to those who we are fighting for, that we are here for them and that change is coming.”
Jessica Meza is a Journalism & Advertising and Public Relations student at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Jessica is the Hortencia Zavala Foundation 2025 summer intern working with the Latino News Network (LNN), NPR’s Midwest Newsroom, and the Fulcrum.
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