“No Kings Day” took center stage in downtown Gainesville on Saturday as thousands showed up to protest grievances with President Donald Trump’s administration and other ills in America.
The protest is the latest in a string of such events that have taken place in Alachua County and nationwide since Trump took office. A local chapter of the 50501 movement — 50 states, 50 events, 1 voice — started in February and has coordinated with community organizations to host the protests, including Alachua County Labor Coalition, Gainesville Women for Democracy, Progressive Democrats for America and the Gainesville Immigrant Neighbor Inclusion Initiative.
Saturday’s event was planned to coincide with Trump’s birthday and the U.S. Army’s 250th anniversary parade in Washington, D.C.
The Gainesville protest happened at Cora Robertson Park and featured a live band, a towering papier mâché caricature of Trump and hundreds of signs. Volunteers with 50501 handed out water as protesters stood by the road, waving at passing cars.
Strung between two trees, a large sign read “Trump is Wrong, Love is Strong.” “No grifter kings,” another sign read, with an image of Trump in a crown. Another took aim at checks from Congress, “Where is Congress? GOP is MIA.”
A second protest happened in High Springs a few hours after the Gainesville event ended. Protesters gathered at the Farmers Market Pavilion before marching to City Hall.
Gainesville residents held a similar, smaller rally in February at the corner of Main Street and University Avenue. A “Tesla Takedown” rally followed in March along with others in April and May, including the “International Workers’ Day” rally.
