Truman students protest the Trump administration during No Kings Day

Protesters gathered around Kirksville’s courthouse Oct. 18 to speak out against the current presidential administration. Truman State University students showed up with signs and costumes, voicing their disapproval of the current policies and state of the government. 

Freshman Abigail Hudson was one of the student protestors. Hudson, who is a criminal justice and history major with a minor in political science, said she felt compelled to protest due to her displeasure with the government and her fear of what is yet to come.

“If you haven’t felt [the policy changes] yet, you definitely will,” Hudson said. “For me, I want to go to law school. The Big Beautiful Bill has really made that a scary time to know if we’re going to have a greater education past this, and if we’re going to get the loans that we need.” 

Other students said they have felt worried about their future careers. Students Alison Forbis and Bella Bracken, both second-year English education majors, are concerned about the current state of the education system and educational funding cuts. 

Junior criminal justice major Logan Jaycox said he is a member of the military, and hopes to be commissioned after earning his degree. He said he is also worried about the future of his career. 

“We serve the constitution, not the government, and not a single person,” Jaycox said. “I think that that’s really important, because especially in wartime nowadays, we usually follow the agenda of politicians. So I think it’s important to advocate for the right thing and to follow the constitution.”

However, students are not only concerned with the future of their careers and their academics. Junior Keeley Spencer said she is concerned about how the current presidential administration has treated women and women’s rights. Sophomore Emma Crutchfield said she is worried about how immigrants have been treated.

Some students have raised concerns about their voices lacking recognition in Kirksville. Volunteer coordinator Gregg Siewert, a former Truman State professor, said he would like to see students come out and protest more, and that protesting in a small town makes a difference.

“We really live in a low-density population here,” Siewert said. “We need to show that we’re thinking people and that we don’t think that things are going the right way.”

Siewert said  there was discussion about having the protest near the Veterans Memorial on North Baltimore St., but instead decided to protest around the courthouse to be closer to campus. Although it was homecoming weekend during the football game, students still showed up and protested, chanting around the courthouse in a continuous circle with other protesters. Siewert said the country-wide success of the No Kings Protest may lead to another one hosted in Kirksville.