Hundreds of people gathered Saturday to participate in the nationwide No Kings protest, where attendees shared their concerns about the current political climate, civil rights, and immigration enforcement policies.

Beginning at the Liberty Bell, protesters marched through downtown before gathering at Mill Creek Park, showcasing their signs along the way. 

One attendee, a local teacher named Lynn, shared her reason for attending the protest.

“I’m here because I think Trump is messing up our country and pitting us against each other with hate. And we need to take care of each other,” she shared.

Another attendee was Heather Silvas, a local educator and activist who said she joined the protest to stand in solidarity with people in marginalized communities. 

“We’re here today to remind people that this is still America,” Silvas said. “You can be patriotic and not like what’s going on in our country today.”

Silvas, who wore a red, white, and blue outfit, said her clothing choice was intentional. She wanted to challenge the idea that protesting the government’s actions is un-American. 

“Protesting peacefully is exactly what America’s all about. So I’m dressed pro-America because I am a proud American,” she said. 

The No Kings movement began in June and has drawn millions of Americans in the three protests that have taken place since its inception.

“What began in June as a single day of defiance has become a sustained national resistance to tyranny, spreading from small towns to city centers and across every community determined to defend democracy,” the No Kings organizers wrote on their website. “The president thinks his rule is absolute. But in America, we don’t have kings — and we won’t back down against chaos, corruption, and cruelty.”

Also attending Saturday’s protest was Regan Rostain, a middle school teacher who said she came to the protest out of concern over the direction of the country and the future of civil rights.

Rostain shared that her father, who worked for decades in the Kern County District Attorney’s office, raised her to believe in the justice system and fairness under the law. 

“He raised me to believe in the justice system, and I feel that right now, he’s no longer here, he would be beyond angry at what’s going on,” she said. 

What’s Next?

Despite millions of people showing up across the nation to participate in the protests taking place, the No Kings organization has stated that these days of action alone are not enough.

“We showed up. And it mattered. Millions of us took to the streets for No Kings on March 28th and made it clear: we don’t do kings; not now, not ever,” the organization said. “But these days of action are not enough. Because the truth is: they’re not stopping. They’re still trying to rig the rules, suppress the vote, and sabotage our elections. So we’re not stopping either.”

The No Kings organization will be hosting a “What’s Next?” mass call on March 31, where attendees will hear from movement leaders and local activists, celebrate the mobilization, and get plugged into what comes next; those interested can RSVP here.

Additionally, more protests are being organized to take place on May 1, also known as May Day.