ROCHESTER, N.Y. — People in the Rochester area, and around the country, protested against President Trump’s policies on “No Kings Day”. At least nine separate protests occurred across the area on Saturday.

The protests are part of a movement to express opposition to what is described as authoritarian actions and overreach by the Trump administration. The name is a direct challenge to the idea of a president acting like a monarch or king, rather than a democratically elected leader. 

According to their website, “No Kings is a nationwide day of defiance. From city blocks to small towns, from courthouse steps to community parks, we’re taking action to reject authoritarianism—and show the world what democracy really looks like.”

People are protesting what they say is a crackdown on free speech, skirting the laws on immigration and due process.

Locally, protesters gathered near Routes 5 and 20 in Canandaigua, where Ann Duckett expressed encouragement from the support of passing drivers.

“We’ve gotten so much support with people driving by it. It’s really encouraging,” Duckett said.

Rhys Tutt, another protester who identified as transgender, shared their pride in the community.

“We both moved from Los Angeles to be here,” said Tutt, referring to their family member Maria. “And so we’re very glad to be in a community that’s still accepting. And, yeah, I’m very proud to be a part of this community,” Tutt said.

Hundreds lined Lakeside Boulevard in Irondequoit at Durand-Eastman Beach, and Hamlin saw its largest protest turnout ever. In Henrietta, thousands participated.

“I think it is showing everybody just how many people are completely against what’s happening,” said an unnamed woman.

In Fairport, thousands more gathered.

“Now we’re all together as a group. And I think that just empowers us,” another unnamed woman said.

At Brighton’s Twelve Corners, hundreds of protesters of all ages attended.

Thirteen-year-old Maddie Keefer said, “A lot of people will say that since we’re kids, we can’t, like, do anything about it, so we shouldn’t start problems. But I want to have a good future, and I want other people to be able to be welcomed and, like, feel like they have a purpose here.”

Protesters at the retirement community St. John’s Meadows also joined the nationwide protests.

Burt Segelin expressed his concerns.

“I’m primarily concerned about losing the freedoms that we’ve had for 250 years…I was born in 1937 and my parents were immigrants. I lost family in the Holocaust. I know what happened in Nazi Germany when Hitler took power. And I know how the people who were opposed to him were silenced and also killed,” Segelin said.

Even small towns like Lima saw hundreds of protesters.

Michael Burke emphasized the importance of making their voices heard.

“I thought it was important to come out and make sure that the great red sea of Western New York understands that there are an awful lot of people who do not support the Trump administration,” Burke said.

There was at least one counter-protester in Lima. Todd Travis showed his support for the Trump administration, saying, “I’m here to represent Trump. They’re jumping on the bandwagon of foolishness.”

“A lot of people say, you know, if you don’t like it here, leave. But I love my country so much that I want to see it change,” said Tutt.

The protests fall on the same day as the military parade in Washington, D.C., commemorating the U.S. Army’s 250th anniversary and Flag Day.

The protests come amid nationwide demonstrations over federal immigration enforcement raids. That includes protests in Los Angeles that turned violent at times, and where the president deployed around 4,000 National Guard members.

In response to today’s protests, Monroe County GOP Chairman Patrick Reilly issued the following statement:

“While republicans are celebrating Flag Day, the birthday of the US Army, and overall being proud to be American, Democrat politicians are secretly hoping their paid protests will turn violent to score cheap political points. It’s shameful.”

No local attacks on protesters were reported; However, one protest group was attacked in Virginia.

Local protests were also held in Geneseo, Leicester, and Ovid.

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