On the morning of Oct. 18, 2025, over seven million people gathered throughout major cities across the United States for the No-King Protest. From New York to California, people of all ages came together under a common cause: to protest the current Trump administration and its threat to our country’s First Amendment rights. However, it wasn’t just major cities that protested; several smaller towns also showed their spirit.
In Ann Arbor, Michigan, hundreds gathered on Stadium Boulevard, waving signs that read, “Democracy cannot thrive where power remains unchecked.”
Other demonstrators held posters declaring, “Stop Fascism: Rage Against the Regime,” and “Our Country is Being Led By Disney Villains: A Wannabe King And His Snake Advisor.”
One sign simply said, “I Support the First Amendment.”
For Tammy D’Adona and Beth Harrington, the protest was personal.
“I have a granddaughter coming, and I do not want the world to be changed by these horrible human beings who are pretending to be American,” D’Adona said. “My father was an immigrant, and there’s a lot of immigrants that run this country and America is a mixture of people, and we need to keep it that way.”
Harrington also emphasized the importance of protecting gay and trans rights.
“I just want to add, as the mom of two gay sons, I am absolutely 100 percent protective of gay rights, trans rights, all rights for all human beings,” Harrington said.
Both women said they were motivated by frustration and a sense of duty.
“It’s disgusting, and we’ve had enough, so we came out today. It’s not a whole lot, but it’s the least we can do. We will continue to come out to protest,” D’Adona said, alongside Harrington. “Our rights are being stripped and he is trying to divide people. That’s what it is, fear. And fear is the opposite of love.”
It wasn’t just adults who were protesting the event. Willow Rosenfeld, a junior at CHS, came to support the protest because she believes her First Amendment rights are being violated.
“I’m really, really frustrated with the climate policies and that they aren’t doing anything about climate change,” Rosenfield said. “Also with the detainment of innocent people and the deployment of troops to American cities. I think it’s all a violation of the Constitution.”
Rosenfeld also emphasized the importance of protesting as a civic responsibility. “I think it’s important to protest because democracy means the will of the people, and this is how I participate in our democracy.”
Charlie Zanes, a freshman at Pioneer High School, said he came because he wants the government to know how people disagree with their policies and that public protest remains one of the best modern ways of provoking change.
“[The thing is the] government won’t know that they’re doing anything wrong, and if we stand up, then at least they’ll know,” Zanes said. “The chance that they’ll change is not very likely, but at least they’ll know that there is some discontent, and yeah, and hopefully they’ll form their policy around what the people want.”
As chants faded and signs lowered, protesters said they would keep showing up — not out of anger, but out of belief that democracy depends on people’s participation and willingness to speak up.
