Watch Kentucky author Silas House speak at Lexington’s ‘No Kings’ protest

Acclaimed Kentucky author Silas House spoke during the first hour of a “No Kings” protest of President Donald Trump’s administration Saturday afternoon in Lexington.

The bestselling author of several novels, including “Southernmost,” “A Parchment of Leaves” and “Lark Ascending” got a large round of applause from attendees as he approached the mic during the protest at Courthouse Square in downtown Lexington.

“First, I want to recognize that we are gathered here today in the middle of Pride Month, so happy Pride,” he said. “Pride is a celebration, but it’s also a protest.”

House was among thousands of attendees at Lexington’s protest over several recent actions by the Trump administration, including a military parade Saturday to mark the Army’s 250th anniversary that coincides with the president’s birthday, and widespread deportations.

Saturday marked the latest instance of House’s political activism. Kentucky’s first openly LGTBQ+ poet laureate, House has also criticized the University of Kentucky for scrapping diversity, equity and inclusion programs, and the Kentucky Legislature for passing a law that eases restrictions on polluting Kentucky’s waterways.

Lexington’s protest was one of more than a dozen statewide and hundreds nationwide on the same day as the military parade in Washington, D.C.

“It’s really moving to see so many of you here today, because I know that you’re here because you believe in democracy,” House told attendees. “You are here because you love your country. Because we know this country was founded to reject oligarchy. Yet in Washington, D.C., right now, the streets are being pummeled by tanks because of one man’s fragile ego.”

Lexington’s “No Kings” protest is scheduled to run from noon to 3 p.m. Saturday.