As a member of the community served by the Chestnut Hill Local, it was heartwarming to witness 700-plus local citizens participate in the historic celebration of No Kings on Saturday, Oct. 18, at the corner of Germantown Avenue and Cresheim Valley Drive. Entire families, the young, the not-so-young and even pets enjoyed the sign-waving, horn-honking, drum-beating, chanting and singing that built community solidarity while exercising our freedom of speech in rejection of the executive overreach of the Trump administration. The rally made it clear that “we the people” are responsible for creating a society that reflects the foundational values outlined in our Constitution.

We want to thank those who contributed to the success of the event: co-host Betsy Teutsch, song leader Delores Paulk and her team from Summit Presbyterian Church in Mt. Airy, the musical group Voices Rising Philly, safety team Laura and Dale Stahl, Janet Mather as police liaison, Philadelphia Police Department Civil Affairs officer Michael Williams, the Chestnut Hill Friends, Night Kitchen Bakery and Happy Nails.

We encourage Local readers to continue to participate in building the society we want to live in, and remind everyone that election day is Nov. 4. Important judicial positions are on the ballot, and the results will shape Pennsylvania for years to come.

Kitty Kaar

Co-host, No Kings NWPhilly