Ainsley Platt
@ainsleyplatt.bsky.social
journalist covering environment, prisons and state gov madness for the Arkansas Advocate || frmr: Arkansas Democrat-Gazette; The Crimson White; Alabama Daily News || Email: aplatt@arkansasadvocate.com || DM me w/ tips, dog pics or music recs
happy gotcha day to the goodest of good girls!
September 16, 2025 at 4:35 PM
happy gotcha day to the goodest of good girls!
Here are some photos to give a better idea of crowd size in Little Rock. Protesters stuck to the pedestrian walkway on one side. The group was much longer than the bridge, taking the better part of an hour for full group to walk across. Likely a few thousand people at peak. @arkansasadvocate.com
June 14, 2025 at 6:10 PM
Here are some photos to give a better idea of crowd size in Little Rock. Protesters stuck to the pedestrian walkway on one side. The group was much longer than the bridge, taking the better part of an hour for full group to walk across. Likely a few thousand people at peak. @arkansasadvocate.com
“This is the largest mobilization during the second Trump administration,” said executive director of the Arkansas ACLU, adding later: “We will not stand idly by while our governor is complicit.”
@arkansasadvocate.com
@arkansasadvocate.com
June 14, 2025 at 5:26 PM
“This is the largest mobilization during the second Trump administration,” said executive director of the Arkansas ACLU, adding later: “We will not stand idly by while our governor is complicit.”
@arkansasadvocate.com
@arkansasadvocate.com
At the start of the march, organizers warned of counter protesters, but none can be seen now as speakers continue to step up to the mic. The crowd has thinned compared to the start, but those who remain continue to enthusiastically cheer for each speaker and honking cars. @arkansasadvocate.com
June 14, 2025 at 5:11 PM
At the start of the march, organizers warned of counter protesters, but none can be seen now as speakers continue to step up to the mic. The crowd has thinned compared to the start, but those who remain continue to enthusiastically cheer for each speaker and honking cars. @arkansasadvocate.com
“Let’s show up, let’s change things.” @arkansasadvocate.com
June 14, 2025 at 5:05 PM
“Let’s show up, let’s change things.” @arkansasadvocate.com
Here’s the interview from @tessmvrbin.bsky.social for @arkansasadvocate.com
June 14, 2025 at 4:58 PM
Here’s the interview from @tessmvrbin.bsky.social for @arkansasadvocate.com
“Protest is patriotic,” says Marcus Jones. “We’ve got to take that narrative back. That is our flag.” He says thatxhe didn’t fight dictators overseas to bow down to one @arkansasadvocate.com
June 14, 2025 at 4:54 PM
“Protest is patriotic,” says Marcus Jones. “We’ve got to take that narrative back. That is our flag.” He says thatxhe didn’t fight dictators overseas to bow down to one @arkansasadvocate.com
“We have a dictator wanna be pushing down on us,” says the first speaker at the rally that followed the march. “This is the breaking point. … Let’s take the power back.” @arkansasadvocate.com
June 14, 2025 at 4:43 PM
“We have a dictator wanna be pushing down on us,” says the first speaker at the rally that followed the march. “This is the breaking point. … Let’s take the power back.” @arkansasadvocate.com
A family from Camden, AR said that they showed up to protest in Little Rock because many of their Black and Asian friends felt too scared to come. This “won’t be their last” protest, Mary Frey said, because “we’re not going to survive with him.” @arkansasadvocate.com
June 14, 2025 at 4:41 PM
A family from Camden, AR said that they showed up to protest in Little Rock because many of their Black and Asian friends felt too scared to come. This “won’t be their last” protest, Mary Frey said, because “we’re not going to survive with him.” @arkansasadvocate.com
Alex Pittman, draped in a transgender pride flag, said that American government has “completely capitulated” to billionaires and “the authoritarian rule of Donald Trump.” She said the administration’s targetting of the LGBTQ+ and other communities has made things unlivable.
June 14, 2025 at 4:24 PM
Alex Pittman, draped in a transgender pride flag, said that American government has “completely capitulated” to billionaires and “the authoritarian rule of Donald Trump.” She said the administration’s targetting of the LGBTQ+ and other communities has made things unlivable.
American flags are a common theme across protest umbellas, signs, etc. in Little Rock today. Some people wear them as capes, other carry tiny ones. @arkansasadvocate.com
June 14, 2025 at 4:16 PM
American flags are a common theme across protest umbellas, signs, etc. in Little Rock today. Some people wear them as capes, other carry tiny ones. @arkansasadvocate.com
We’re crossing back over the Arkansas River back to Little Rock. The crowd, which is sticking to the pedestrian pathway, stretches across the entire bridge. @arkansasadvocate.com
June 14, 2025 at 4:13 PM
We’re crossing back over the Arkansas River back to Little Rock. The crowd, which is sticking to the pedestrian pathway, stretches across the entire bridge. @arkansasadvocate.com
A video from my colleage, @tessmvrbin.bsky.social from the start of the march here in Little Rock.
June 14, 2025 at 3:51 PM
A video from my colleage, @tessmvrbin.bsky.social from the start of the march here in Little Rock.
Nancy Reta told me that “no one is illegal on stolen land.” This is her first protest, and she said she didn’t expect so many people to show up. Watch the @arkansasadvocate.com interview below.
June 14, 2025 at 3:49 PM
Nancy Reta told me that “no one is illegal on stolen land.” This is her first protest, and she said she didn’t expect so many people to show up. Watch the @arkansasadvocate.com interview below.
More photos of the crowd. People have been crossing for 40 minutes now and there are still hundreds of people on the bridge waiting to get over onto the North Little Rock side. @arkansasadvocate.com
June 14, 2025 at 3:43 PM
More photos of the crowd. People have been crossing for 40 minutes now and there are still hundreds of people on the bridge waiting to get over onto the North Little Rock side. @arkansasadvocate.com
Protesters are chanting “No tyrants, no kings,” as we reach the North Little Rock side of the bridge. @arkansasadvocate.com
June 14, 2025 at 3:38 PM
Protesters are chanting “No tyrants, no kings,” as we reach the North Little Rock side of the bridge. @arkansasadvocate.com
Madison Henderson says that people shouldn’t be afraid to stand up for what they believe in. Watch the @arkansasadvocate.com interview as we cross the Arkansas River below 👇🏻
June 14, 2025 at 3:31 PM
Madison Henderson says that people shouldn’t be afraid to stand up for what they believe in. Watch the @arkansasadvocate.com interview as we cross the Arkansas River below 👇🏻
Absolutely massive crowd here in Little Rock today. @arkansasadvocate.com
June 14, 2025 at 3:17 PM
Absolutely massive crowd here in Little Rock today. @arkansasadvocate.com
A view before we begin crossing the bridge here in Little Rock. @arkansasadvocate.com
June 14, 2025 at 3:08 PM
A view before we begin crossing the bridge here in Little Rock. @arkansasadvocate.com
After another day of hard-hitting reporting (barking at the guys painting my parents’ house for no reason) dog-journalist Yoshi is now editing my work (nudging my leg so I give him a treat) before taking a well-earned break (taking a nap in a spot so we have to step over him to get to the trashcan).
May 20, 2025 at 4:19 PM
After another day of hard-hitting reporting (barking at the guys painting my parents’ house for no reason) dog-journalist Yoshi is now editing my work (nudging my leg so I give him a treat) before taking a well-earned break (taking a nap in a spot so we have to step over him to get to the trashcan).
Reporting on Arkansas from Bham, AL with the help of my fearless assistant, Yoshi. He exposes corruption wherever he goes (I split a treat in half and got caught) and is a champion for free speech (barking at squirrels is protected by 1A). Someone give him a Pulitzer already.
May 19, 2025 at 4:53 PM
Reporting on Arkansas from Bham, AL with the help of my fearless assistant, Yoshi. He exposes corruption wherever he goes (I split a treat in half and got caught) and is a champion for free speech (barking at squirrels is protected by 1A). Someone give him a Pulitzer already.
April 5, 2025 at 9:23 PM
I just left Cave City, Arkansas. The destruction there was mind-bending. They have no power, and many do not have cell service. Winds powerful enough to pick up coffins from a funeral home and fling them at least a hundred feet away. Old, large trees completely uprooted. More to come in the Dem-Gaz.
March 15, 2025 at 9:57 PM
I just left Cave City, Arkansas. The destruction there was mind-bending. They have no power, and many do not have cell service. Winds powerful enough to pick up coffins from a funeral home and fling them at least a hundred feet away. Old, large trees completely uprooted. More to come in the Dem-Gaz.
I made the trek out to Meriwether Park earlier to grab photos for the Dem-Gaz, and spoke with a bunch of families who were building a snowman and sledding down the mostly snow-covered street. Pretty sure the snowman was taller than I was. #arwx
January 10, 2025 at 7:40 PM
I made the trek out to Meriwether Park earlier to grab photos for the Dem-Gaz, and spoke with a bunch of families who were building a snowman and sledding down the mostly snow-covered street. Pretty sure the snowman was taller than I was. #arwx