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Light drizzle didn’t stop tens of thousands of Philadelphiansfrom letting President Donald Trump know that the First Amendment is still alive. In a city notorious for unruly crowds at large sporting events, protesters were peaceful and law-abiding — as were the police. I saw a sea of American flags as well as signs protesting various Trump policies. Whether we were there to protest Trump’s approach to immigration or Gaza, his policies of welfare for the rich, his disregard for the Constitution, or his disdain for the underprivileged, we were united in the need for the First Amendment, which allows us to freely express our opinions, peacefully assemble and petition our government with our grievances.
We heard from a wide range of speakers, including the Rev. William J. Barber II of the Poor People’s Campaign, Rep. Jamie Raskin (D-Maryland), Martin Luther King III and Arndrea Waters King, as well as labor and civil liberties leaders. The words that made the greatest impact on me were written in Philadelphia centuries ago: excerpts from the Declaration of Independence, read by Raskin.
I am exhilarated that millions of Americans are worried about the dictates coming from Trump and his administration. I didn’t vote for Richard M. Nixon, Gerald Ford, Ronald Reagan, George H.W. Bush or George W. Bush. I didn’t like many of their policies, but I didn’t feel they had usurped their authority in the way that Trump has. I doubt Trump himself will react to the protests, but I hope elected officials in purple districts and states will realize that they are the only people preventing the United States from becoming some sort of autocracy — and that so many citizens across the country will support them if they are brave enough to stand up.
Paul L. Newman, Merion Station, Pennsylvania
Fears for our collective future were balanced for a while by the joy of being part of a very diverse community that cared enough to show up and say so. There was dancing, laughter and relief in the realization that this is not a struggle we undertake alone. I made eye contact with other veterans, and we nodded to each other, acknowledging that we had all sworn an oath to uphold the Constitution.
Shared outrage at violations of common decency brought us together, and our coming together was proof that we can care for one another instead of giving in to despair. People asked one another, “Do you have what you need?” A spot in the shade, sunscreen, water (“no ICE”), snack bars? This is why we come together: to remember who we are and that we are not alone.
Among my favorite signs: “When a clown enters a castle, he does not become a king. The castle becomes a circus.” “I am not a paid protester. I hate fascism for free.” A teenage boy held a sign saying: “Donald Trump has a mug shot. My parents don’t.”
The police whom we saw looked prepared but relaxed. After I reached the end of the march route, I dropped onto shady grass near the Capitol, and two young people, clad head-to-toe in anarchist black, politely asked if I needed some water. The question sparked a conversation about whether tear gas was likely and whether we could drink the milk we’d each packed to douse our eyes just in case. We drank a warm milk toast to democracy because the demonstration in Denver was peaceful, and even the police seemed to understand why we were there.
Rebecca V. Ferrell, Denver
But instead, both protesters and police showed restraint and demonstrated how protest and free speech are supposed to work.
My hope and prayer are that all sides can reflect on the peace and success of June 14 and build on it. The coming days, months and years demand introspection. Disagreement does not have to spiral into division, division need not fester into hate, and hate must never explode into violence. We have the capacity to be better. All of us who witnessed this day unfold have a responsibility to reflect on this moment of peace and draw lessons from it.
Leighton Loo, Mililani, Hawaii
Protesters were equipped not only with signs emphasizing the need to protect our democracy as well as the civil liberties of the most vulnerable among us — but also with American flags.
In a nation that was founded with a revolution to secure liberty, demonstrators and speakers were unified in their determination to illustrate that exercising their First Amendment rights, including the right to peacefully assemble, to protect the rights of others and to preserve our democratic institutions, was an act of patriotism. As the saying goes, “When injustice becomes law, resistance becomes duty.”
As the rally drew to a close, there was a definite sense among those in attendance of more to come, that this historic day was the beginning of a movement to preserve U.S. democracy. If “we the people” are to provide a check on the unlawful policies of the Trump administration, citizens must continue to make their voices heard.
Carolyn Faggioni, Bellmore, New York
But the energy felt different this time. The focus has shifted. It’s so much bigger than the services and programs we are losing as individuals. The patriotism is palpable. We want democracy and the rule of law. We want due process and reality-based governance. We want humane treatment of immigrants and children, and to honor our veterans. We want kindness, not cruelty. Simply put, we want decency. This is the country that we want to be. And if we continue to stand up and join together, I know it’s the country we can be.
Cynthia Mahoney, Danville, California
Though there might have been some logic behind Carville’s theory, I’m grateful millions of Americans decided silence no longer is an option. After Saturday’s protests, it is “game on” for Democrats heading into the 2026 election season. Clearly, we have the messages that can flip the House and Senate if we stick to them.
As smart and talented as Carville is, I hope he changes his tune.
Denny Freidenrich, Laguna Beach, California
Bill Thompson, North Potomac
Imagine my surprise when I encountered a “No Kings” demonstration by the sea in Nice, France.
I am Canadian. And after selling our Indian Wells, California, property, which we owned for 14 years, we will not be returning to the United States or spending a dime on U.S. products until President Donald Trump is gone. It was an honor to protest and to make some noise in support of those who want democracy in the U.S. to continue.
Tom Pearson, Winnipeg, Manitoba
The energy at the ‘No Kings’ protest felt different. The tide is turning.
Light drizzle didn’t stop tens of thousands of Philadelphiansfrom letting President Donald Trump know that the First Amendment is still alive. In a city notorious for unruly crowds at large sporting events, protesters were peaceful and law-abiding — as were the police. I saw a sea of American flags as well as signs protesting various Trump policies. Whether we were there to protest Trump’s approach to immigration or Gaza, his policies of welfare for the rich, his disregard for the Constitution, or his disdain for the underprivileged, we were united in the need for the First Amendment, which allows us to freely express our opinions, peacefully assemble and petition our government with our grievances.
We heard from a wide range of speakers, including the Rev. William J. Barber II of the Poor People’s Campaign, Rep. Jamie Raskin (D-Maryland), Martin Luther King III and Arndrea Waters King, as well as labor and civil liberties leaders. The words that made the greatest impact on me were written in Philadelphia centuries ago: excerpts from the Declaration of Independence, read by Raskin.
I am exhilarated that millions of Americans are worried about the dictates coming from Trump and his administration. I didn’t vote for Richard M. Nixon, Gerald Ford, Ronald Reagan, George H.W. Bush or George W. Bush. I didn’t like many of their policies, but I didn’t feel they had usurped their authority in the way that Trump has. I doubt Trump himself will react to the protests, but I hope elected officials in purple districts and states will realize that they are the only people preventing the United States from becoming some sort of autocracy — and that so many citizens across the country will support them if they are brave enough to stand up.
Paul L. Newman, Merion Station, Pennsylvania
We’re not alone, and now we know it
In Denver, the streets were hot, and the people kept their cool. Thousands rallied to express their feeling that under President Donald Trump, the country is headed the wrong way. The demonstration, scheduled from noon to 4 p.m., was still going strong as I drove past the Capitol at 6:30 p.m.; the car thermometer read 99 degrees.Fears for our collective future were balanced for a while by the joy of being part of a very diverse community that cared enough to show up and say so. There was dancing, laughter and relief in the realization that this is not a struggle we undertake alone. I made eye contact with other veterans, and we nodded to each other, acknowledging that we had all sworn an oath to uphold the Constitution.
Shared outrage at violations of common decency brought us together, and our coming together was proof that we can care for one another instead of giving in to despair. People asked one another, “Do you have what you need?” A spot in the shade, sunscreen, water (“no ICE”), snack bars? This is why we come together: to remember who we are and that we are not alone.
Among my favorite signs: “When a clown enters a castle, he does not become a king. The castle becomes a circus.” “I am not a paid protester. I hate fascism for free.” A teenage boy held a sign saying: “Donald Trump has a mug shot. My parents don’t.”
The police whom we saw looked prepared but relaxed. After I reached the end of the march route, I dropped onto shady grass near the Capitol, and two young people, clad head-to-toe in anarchist black, politely asked if I needed some water. The question sparked a conversation about whether tear gas was likely and whether we could drink the milk we’d each packed to douse our eyes just in case. We drank a warm milk toast to democracy because the demonstration in Denver was peaceful, and even the police seemed to understand why we were there.
Rebecca V. Ferrell, Denver
Building on our common values
The United States deserves a pat on the back for June 14’s mostly peaceful protests! We worried before and throughout the day whether, building on the anger over the military’s presence in Los Angeles, the protests would devolve into widespread violence, neighborhoods would burn, and weeks of bloody riots or worse might follow. Did we (temporarily) dodge a bullet? Perhaps. And that is something we should seriously ponder.But instead, both protesters and police showed restraint and demonstrated how protest and free speech are supposed to work.
My hope and prayer are that all sides can reflect on the peace and success of June 14 and build on it. The coming days, months and years demand introspection. Disagreement does not have to spiral into division, division need not fester into hate, and hate must never explode into violence. We have the capacity to be better. All of us who witnessed this day unfold have a responsibility to reflect on this moment of peace and draw lessons from it.
Leighton Loo, Mililani, Hawaii
Bringing joy back to public life
My husband and I were fortunate to be able to join thousands of other peaceful “No Kings” demonstrators at a rally and march at the Nassau County Courthouse in Mineola on Long Island. Despite the rain, which was heavy at times, spirits were not dampened. In fact, the mood was almost joyous as people drew comfort from the mass gathering of like-minded individuals, recognizing that they were not alone in their deep concern for the state of our democracy.Protesters were equipped not only with signs emphasizing the need to protect our democracy as well as the civil liberties of the most vulnerable among us — but also with American flags.
In a nation that was founded with a revolution to secure liberty, demonstrators and speakers were unified in their determination to illustrate that exercising their First Amendment rights, including the right to peacefully assemble, to protect the rights of others and to preserve our democratic institutions, was an act of patriotism. As the saying goes, “When injustice becomes law, resistance becomes duty.”
As the rally drew to a close, there was a definite sense among those in attendance of more to come, that this historic day was the beginning of a movement to preserve U.S. democracy. If “we the people” are to provide a check on the unlawful policies of the Trump administration, citizens must continue to make their voices heard.
Carolyn Faggioni, Bellmore, New York
This feels different
I’ve been attending rallies against the Trump administration’s policies, starting with the “Hands Off” protests in April, because I care about health. This administration is attacking health-care quality, access and research, as well as the health of future generations, by shutting down actions intended to stem climate change. These assaults are unforgivable. They will cause death and untold harm. And I thought that anger would be my key takeaway from marching on June 14.But the energy felt different this time. The focus has shifted. It’s so much bigger than the services and programs we are losing as individuals. The patriotism is palpable. We want democracy and the rule of law. We want due process and reality-based governance. We want humane treatment of immigrants and children, and to honor our veterans. We want kindness, not cruelty. Simply put, we want decency. This is the country that we want to be. And if we continue to stand up and join together, I know it’s the country we can be.
Cynthia Mahoney, Danville, California
Don’t play possum
Having participated in one “No Kings” protest and watched news about scores of others coast to coast, I can’t help but think about what Democratic political strategist James Carville said in February. He urged Democrats to remain silent — to “play possum” — while President Donald Trump and the GOP implode.Though there might have been some logic behind Carville’s theory, I’m grateful millions of Americans decided silence no longer is an option. After Saturday’s protests, it is “game on” for Democrats heading into the 2026 election season. Clearly, we have the messages that can flip the House and Senate if we stick to them.
As smart and talented as Carville is, I hope he changes his tune.
Denny Freidenrich, Laguna Beach, California
The ratio
I participated in the anti-Trump “No Kings” demonstration on Rockville Pike on Saturday. The sign that we held up in view of oncoming motorists said, “Honk for democracy.” During the approximately two hours I was at the demonstration, we experienced countless horn honks and exactly six middle fingers. Not a bad day for democracy.Bill Thompson, North Potomac
Imagine my surprise when I encountered a “No Kings” demonstration by the sea in Nice, France.
I am Canadian. And after selling our Indian Wells, California, property, which we owned for 14 years, we will not be returning to the United States or spending a dime on U.S. products until President Donald Trump is gone. It was an honor to protest and to make some noise in support of those who want democracy in the U.S. to continue.
Tom Pearson, Winnipeg, Manitoba
