With six planned No Kings Day protests throughout the Treasure Coast Oct. 18, more than any previous rally in the area, thousands of people lined streets in Stuart, Fort Pierce, Vero Beach, Sebastian and Port St. Lucie.
Nationwide, over 2,100 protests were planned.
“(President Donald Trump) thinks his rule is absolute. But in America, we don’t have kings, and we won’t back down against chaos, corruption, and cruelty…,” according to organizers on the nokings.org website.
In Vero Beach thousands of protesters descended on State Road 60 at 58th Avenue, normally a busy shopping area, with signs, horns and shouts.
A group of Young Democrats of Indian River County estimated by using clickers at least 3,150 people were standing in protest by 1:30 p.m.
Pro-Trump supporters touted flags with slogans including “Trump Won” and “MAGA country,” but were outnumbered by No Kings protestors.
People donned red Handmaid’s Tale-style cloaks, and carried signs criticizing President Donald Trump’s failure to release the Jeffrey Epstein files, sending the U.S. military into some cities, including Chicago and Memphis, and the government shutdown that began Oct. 1.
“I never protested during the 60s, which was my era, but I’ve been out here to every single one and I will continue to be here until (Trump’s) gone from office,” said Vincenza Gelardi, 75, of Vero Beach. “We’ve got to get our America back.”
“Only immigrants know how important it is to live in a place like the United States,” continued Gelardi, who immigrated at 8 years old from Italy to the United States.
Among the crowd were families who showed up together to protest.
“I wanted to be here with my parents to make sure that everyone knows that it’s not just old people and middle-aged people; it’s also families old and young,” said Andrea Teichner, 60, from Atlanta who joined her Vero Beach parents.
In Stuart, at least 1,000 people lined every corner at the Kanner Highway and U.S. 1 intersection, including World War II veteran Patrick Callihan, 97, of Hobe Sound, who said he had to participate.
He joined Laurence Grayhills, of Stuart, who urged with his high-waving sign to “Defend Democracy and the Constitution.”
In Fort Pierce, over 100 people gathered on Jenkins Road after 9 a.m. protesting President Donald Trump’s immigration policies and calling for him to be ousted.
“The more people coming out, the more maybe they have to listen that people aren’t happy,” said Janice Douglas, 69, of White City.
People stood on the corner of Walgreens store and RaceTrac gas station with signs, air horns, flags and megaphones chanting for Trump to leave office.
“(I’m here) for democracy and just continuing to better our country and to create respect for everyone,” said Rebecca Muscat, 25, who traveled from Brevard County to Fort Pierce.
Organizers at nokings.org described the nationwide protests as a peaceful movement that is only getting bigger and stronger.
“No Kings is more than just a slogan — it’s the foundation our nation was built upon,” according to its website. “Born in the streets, carried by millions in chants and on posters, it echoes from city blocks to rural town squares, uniting people across this country to fight dictatorship together.
“This isn’t just politics. It’s democracy versus dictatorship. And together, we’re choosing democracy.”
Past protests on the Treasure Coast
Missed summer protest coverage on the Treasure Coast? Click below to see photos and videos from the events:
(This story was updated with video and galleries)
Gianna Montesano is TCPalm’s trending reporter. You can contact her at gianna.montesano@tcpalm.com, 772-409-1429, or follow her on X @gonthescene. Crystal Vander Weit is a visual journalist for TCPalm and Treasure Coast Newspapers. You can reach Crystal at crystal.vanderweit@tcpalm.com and can view some of her recent work here.
This article originally appeared on Treasure Coast Newspapers: Thousands turn out for ‘No Kings’ protests across Treasure Coast
Reporting by Gianna Montesano and Crystal Vander Weit, Treasure Coast Newspapers / Treasure Coast Newspapers
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
