Dozens of rallies running under a “No Kings” banner were held across the DC region on Saturday, marking the latest in nationwide protests against the policies of the Donald Trump administration ahead of the November election cycle.
Protests are being held in D.C., Maryland and parts of Northern Virginia.
Just outside the Friendship Heights Metro station, demonstrator Susan Carle told WTOP News that the rallies were coming at a pivotal time as residents gear up for the midterm elections.
“I just think it’s really important that we stand up for what’s right and that we remind people it’s time to vote, and that if they don’t like what’s happening, it is really important to get out to the polls,” Carle said.
“I just feel like it’s really smart that the ‘No Kings’ rally organizers have come up with this very intelligent way. So instead of having just one mass rally somewhere, it’s spread out everywhere. So, you realize everyone cares all around the region.”
Carol Needham, who is visiting from Missouri, was also in attendance at the Metro station rally. She told WTOP that “the fact that there’s rallies with hundreds of people coming in a state like Missouri, in all these smaller locations is extremely telling that people are motivated.”
“When regular people get together and show that they think something’s important in a democracy, the leaders have to take note,” Needham said.
Hundreds of demonstrators had also met up at the former Black Lives Matter Plaza outside the gates of Lafayette Square by the White House for the “We the People Walk” and “Umbrella Walk for Change.”
Peter Stinton, who helped organize the march to the U.S. Capitol told WTOP their goal was to get Congress to act as a co-equal branch of government.
“They will not act unless they grow a backbone. They will not grow a backbone until we own the streets,” Stinton said. “We need 30,000 people here in D.C. protesting every day.”
Among those marching was D.C. resident Connor Hartigan, who was only 14 years old when President Donald Trump announced his presidential candidacy.
“I’ve never known political life in America without him at the center stage,” Hartigan said. “I hope someday we can have a more civil, sane, democratic process that’s really about discernment together for the common good and not hate or authoritarianism or division.”
As the group marched, many carried umbrellas with political messages on them, like Bertha Orman, who originally is from Peru and now lives in Rockville. She was holding a sign that read: “Immigrants Make America Great.”
“I wanted to be here just so I could feel I’m doing something because I feel helpless,” Orman said. “There’s so many ugly things going on right now, from the president making a ballroom and making himself rich.”
The “No Kings” rallies were birthed from the 50501 Movement, a non-violent national group that emphasizes “no one person, no institution and no political party gets to decide our future before voters do.”
WTOP’s Grace Newton and Jimmy Alexander contributed to this article.
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