More than 90 “No Kings” protests were held across New York state on Saturday, June 14, as part of a nationwide day of action opposing what organizers called “authoritarianism, billionaire-first politics, and the militarization of democracy.”
The coordinated effort — one of the largest single-day protest mobilizations since President Donald Trump returned to office — drew thousands of demonstrators to locations from Long Island to the Finger Lakes. The protests coincided with Trump’s military parade in Washington, D.C., marking both Flag Day and the U.S. Army’s 250th anniversary, as well as the president’s 79th birthday.
In the Rochester area, rallies were held throughout Monroe and surrounding counties, including Brighton, Pittsford, Fairport, and Canandaigua.
The demonstrations were organized under the “No Kings” movement — part of the broader 50501 initiative (50 states, 50 protests, one movement).
‘No Kings Day’ protests held around NY. How did the protests look in Rochester?
The local ‘No King’s Day’ protests in Rochester began with hundreds of protestors lined up in rows along Elmwood Avenue at 12 Corners in Brighton.
Groups met up a few blocks away and marched to join the crowd at 12 Corners, who were already protesting the military parade and President Donald Trump’s various executive orders.
In Irondequoit, thousands of people gathered along Lake Shore Boulevard at Durand Eastman Park. The sounds of crashing waves from Lake Ontario filled the air as protestors of all ages and backgrounds held signs and waved American flags at the passing cars.
A group of people created a circle on the park grass, signing along with a man playing the guitar. Waving their American flags in the air, the group sang ‘This Land is Your Land’ and the National Anthem.
Roy Jimenez, a Vietnam Veteran, recently moved back home to Rochester after living in California for over 50 years. He said he was happy to see that all of the local craft stores ran out of poster board before the protests began.
“We are the people, and the people want democracy,” Jimenez said.
In Seneca Falls, several hundred area residents lined up in front of the Women’s Rights National Historic Park and the surrounding area on Fall Street. The protest drew people from the surrounding towns.
People also stood in front of Wesleyan Chapel, the home of the first Women’s Rights Convention, holding signs and chanting as cars drove past, honking in solidarity with the demonstrators.
The ‘No Kings’ protests were also held in the Finger Lakes region, with hundreds of protestors lined up along the four corners of an intersection at New York State Routes 5 and 20 in Canandaigua. Initiated by the public advocacy group “We Dissent”, the peaceful protest consisted of people holding signs and waving American flags as passing cars honked their horns in support.
The protest started at Atwater Park on Main Street in Canandaigua before protestors marched to the intersection of State Routes 5 and 20. Scott Comegys, a “We Dissent” member, sent out a press release ahead of the march stating that both Mayor Palumbo and the District Attorney’s Office were already notified of the demonstration and “briefed on the history of harassment incidents targeting previous peaceful assemblies.”
According to the press release, a “We Dissent” spokesperson, whose name was not included, said: “This demonstration is about exercising our fundamental First Amendment rights. In America, we reject the concept of monarchy and stand firm in our commitment to democratic governance.”
Diane Olivet, a Canandaigua resident, waved her massive American flag on the corner of the intersection. She said that given the protest date fell on the same day as Flag Day, it was only right to fly the American flag as a symbol of making their voices heard.
Olivet was pleasantly surprised to see how many Canandaigua residents attended the protest.
“It shows we’re not alone and that a lot of people are thinking the same thing,” she said.
Cars honked as the massive group cheered, “Show me what democracy looks like, this is what democracy looks like!”
— Madison Scott is a journalist with the Democrat and Chronicle who edited our Weld Street Project and also did reporting for it. She has an interest in how the system helps or doesn’t help families with missing loved ones. She can be reached at MDScott@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on Rochester Democrat and Chronicle: Thousands join ‘No Kings’ protests across Rochester: See the photos
Reporting by Madison Scott and Tina MacIntyre-Yee, Rochester Democrat and Chronicle / Rochester Democrat and Chronicle
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