By Andrew Roberto
andrew@mvariety.com
Variety News Staff
OVER a dozen protesters gathered at the intersection of Beach Road and Chalan Monsignor Guerrero on Oct. 19 to stage a “No Kings” rally, part of a national movement opposing various policies of the Trump administration.
The local event was organized by Roxanne Richter and Jeff Race.
Richter said she joined the rally to protest what she described as a “dictatorship” under President Donald Trump.
“He’s doing everything by executive order,” she said. “He’s trying to rule like a tyrant by executive order rather than following our constitutional process — which is no taxation without representation. We fairly elect the people who represent us, and he’s bypassing all of that.”
Richter told Variety that Trump has “gutted medical research” and is trying to “get rid of the Department of Education,” while also being against women’s rights and small businesses.
Her co-organizer, Race, said the United States continues to “worsen” under the Trump administration. He claimed that federal officials label “No Kings” protesters as “terrorists,” “Hamas lovers,” and “antifa” — characterizations he rejects.
“It’s vital that we come out here and exercise our First Amendment rights,” Race said. “This is a guy with some pretty serious mental problems who is bent on turning the United States into a dictatorship with himself as dictator. I don’t think many people in this country want to live under a Trump dictatorship. Nobody out here is antifa, nobody out here is a Hamas lover, and nobody out here is a terrorist. We’re patriots standing up to protect our rights under the Constitution.”
The protest began at around 10 a.m. and continued until about noon.
One participant, Joshua Hoffman — a U.S. citizen who lives in Japan — said he flew to Saipan specifically for the event.
“I was researching online where the closest ‘No Kings’ rally was and was directed to speak with Richter,” he said. “I told her I’d get on a plane and meet her here on Saturday. God bless her and God bless the people of Saipan for what they’re doing. I believe wholeheartedly in the movement and I’m very happy I came to your country.”
Hoffman said Trump is using Immigration and Customs Enforcement to “terrorize communities” and has “militarized” the police for the same purpose.
“You have to stand for democracy,” he said. “His immigration policies violate the Constitution. He doesn’t believe in free speech. Everything we as Americans value under the Constitution is being violated.”
Dr. Clairalyn Baucom, a pediatrician, said federal cuts to programs such as Medicare have real consequences for local families.
“We have a population here that relies heavily on Medicare, but sometimes they fall through the cracks of what’s covered,” she said. “At least once a month, I see a patient worried about affording medication or hospitalization. Of the 34 richest nations on Earth, 33 have a single-payer system. The United States is the only one without a safety net for those who fall through the cracks.”
Tom Flowers stressed that the protest was not limited to members of any one political party.
“This is not a Democrat or Republican issue,” he said. “This is democracy versus fascism or totalitarianism. That’s why everyone who takes an oath to join the military or government swears to protect the Constitution — not to protect a particular individual. They don’t swear fealty to a king.”
Andrew Roberto is an alumnus of Saipan Southern High School, Northern Marianas College, and the University of Guam. He holds a degree in English. He is a published author, a staged playwright, and a former classroom teacher.
