In Savannah, Georgia, around 2,000 people gathered for the “No Kings” protest on Saturday, equipped with signs and megaphones as they marched through the city’s downtown streets.
The event kicked off at 11 a.m. in Thomas Square Park, featuring speeches from various activists and local organization representatives. After the speeches, participants marched to the fountain at Forsyth Park. This protest was part of a series of similar demonstrations happening both locally and nationwide.
Kris Mecholsky, a co-founder of Coastal Georgia for Democracy, explained that the “No Kings” slogan conveyed a straightforward message to the Trump administration: they oppose autocratic leadership. Trish Brown, one of the speakers, echoed similar sentiments by referencing an episode of Black Mirror during her address.
“Get your tears out, your sadness, your angst. Get over your despair. Get off social media. The time for thoughts and prayers is over,” Brown said.
Many people, like Francis Phillips, told this was their first time participating in a protest. He held a sign that read, “I’m not usually a sign guy, but geez.”
“I think that says it. I remember as a kid seeing the news in the 60s and 70s, the Kent state riots and everything that was happening then. It’s a very similar pattern today,” Phillips said in reference to the recent Immigration Control and Enforcement (ICE) raids. “We can sit back and be quiet about it but the constitution’s being ignored. Laws are being ignored. They’re inciting violence.”
Many shared that they felt an overall lack of safety and security across America.
“Growing up, I just always felt so safe and secure here…and free. I’m slowly not feeling those ways anymore. The only way to stop all of this is to show up,” Bridget Hieronymus said. “It warms my heart and gives me some sort of a hope to see everybody come together like this.”
“Today is a very important day and there’ll be more days like this, I’m sure, in the future. We just need to be counted,” Phillips said.
Organizers say the event remained peaceful and there were no major disruptions. The News 3 crew on scene did see a few pro-Trump signs in the crowd.
