PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) — Thousands of demonstrators filled the Benjamin Franklin Parkway on Saturday for a nationwide protest dubbed “No Kings Day,” aimed at expressing opposition to the Trump administration.
Drums echoed through the crowd as marchers moved through Center City, carrying signs and waving flags. Organizers said the event was one of more than 3,000 coordinated demonstrations held across cities, towns, and rural communities.
Tim Johnson of West Philadelphia said the gathering was meant to remind people they are not alone. “People feel isolated and powerless, and when we come together like this, we show that we’re not alone and together we can overcome it,” he said.
From above, the crowd stretched for several blocks. Many participants wore symbolic costumes, including Laura Porter of Maple Shade, New Jersey, who dressed as the Statue of Liberty. “It makes a difference to me because I feel a sense of camaraderie,” Porter said. “I feel a sense of validation and support that I’m not alone.”
Protesters cited a range of concerns, including foreign policy in Iran, inflation, and immigration. Greg Fleming of Wallingford said he attended with a large group, including his father, a veteran. “We want to be on the right side of history,” he said.
His father, Frank Fleming of Middletown, Delaware, said the moment felt personal. “This is not the country that I and my ancestors – my father, my uncles, my cousins – served for. This is not us,” he said.
The march concluded with a rally on the Parkway, where speakers urged participants to continue organizing and contacting lawmakers. Organizers said they hoped the coordinated demonstrations would send a clear message to Washington.
For many in attendance, the event offered a sense of unity. “I think they give people courage,” said Anna Beresin of Mount Airy. “To remind us that we’re not alone in this.”
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