Good morning, Hopkinton! Welcome to the daily update we call Hopkinton Today — a quick recap of yesterday’s news, highlights of what’s on tap, and a photo of the day.

Hopkinton No Kings event draws estimated 500 protestors

Protestors hold signs and wave flags along Main Street on Saturday as part of the No Kings protest at Town Common. PHOTO/JOHN CARDILLO

Hundreds of protestors gathered at the Town Common on Saturday to join in a national day of protest.

“It was peaceful,” said Amy Groves, chair of the Hopkinton Democratic Town Committee. “There were no accidents, there were no arrests [and] no serious confrontations.”

The HDTC held the event in partnership with Indivisible MA. The protest joined others across the country on Saturday for the second No Kings Day of Action. Demonstrators gathered to participate in a nonviolent protest against the actions of the Trump Administration. The HDTC held its first No Kings protest back in June.

Saturday’s protest saw several hundred demonstrators turn up with signs, banners and flags. Groves estimated that about 500 people attended the event, with people expressing themselves in a number of ways — including in costume.

“I did spy a raccoon and a gerbil,” said Groves. “We had lots of blow-up animals, and lots of real animals too.” She commended those who showed up for learning to have fun with the protest and maintaining positivity.

Groves chalked up the number of protestors at Saturday’s No Kings event in Hopkinton to a general trend of involvement. “I think that the protests generally are getting larger and larger,” she said. She also expressed optimism in the number of protestors, citing the 3.5% rule. According to the rule, if 3.5% of a population engages in peaceful protest, it becomes impossible for the government to ignore demands for change.

“For Hopkinton, that would be 700 people, and we’re at 500,” Groves said. “We’re getting bigger and bigger, and I don’t think the protests are going to stop.”

Added Groves: “We’re going to keep at it.”

— NICK SCHOFIELD

Latest News

Hopkinton Middle School civics teacher and baseball coach Bill Mingace reportedly is in good spirits as he continues to recover from a motorcycle crash earlier this month.

The Community Preservation Committee at its meeting on Thursday heard an update on the Center School reuse project and discussed getting stricter on CPC funding applications.

The Hopkinton Center for the Arts held the first performances of The Haunt: The Carnival Comes to Deadwoodville over the weekend, and we have photos.

The first edition of our Arts Residency feature highlights Betsy Johnson, an autism educator and specialist whose poetry focuses on social and disability justice.

Town meetings tonight include the Planning Board (7).

Photo of the Day

Dignitaries from the community cut the ribbon Friday to formally open the redesigned Hank Fredette Skatepark at EMC Park.

PHOTO/JOHN CARDILLO