Thousands of protesters gathered peacefully Saturday outside Manchester Center at Blackstone and Shields, joining a new wave of “No Kings” demonstrations sweeping the country.

The Fresno rally, organized by local nonprofits, community organizers and labor unions including the May 1st Coalition and the National Union of Healthcare Workers, followed large No Kings protests in June and continued the movement’s message: opposition to the Trump-era government shutdown, immigration raids and authoritarian government overreach.

Demonstrators carried American and Mexican flags, and signs reading “No Kings,” while chants like “Hey, Hey, Donald Trump has got to go” rang out along Blackstone Avenue. Protesters occupied the sidewalks for several blocks, drawing honks of support from passing vehicles.

“This is my first protest. At 56, I never thought I’d be doing this,” said Lori Pardi, a facilities manager for Fresno State. “I’m out here today because I’m seeing how this administration is destroying our democracy and dividing us, ignoring the Constitution. Immigrants are not the enemy, and anyone who is out here supporting our First Amendment rights is not the enemy. ”

Unlike previous Fresno protests centered at River Park and Fashion Fair mall areas, Saturday’s rally was at Manchester Center — placing the movement in one of the city’s most historic and diverse neighborhoods.

“The administration is completely not what I stand for. Not following the Constitution, dismantling our government, not following democracy. He’s showing signs of a king and that’s not what America is all about,” said Chyna Salinas, a Starbucks worker and student at Fresno City College who saw the rally was happening on Instagram.

Saturday’s protest was part of a national day of action, coordinated through the No Kings coalition, which held an estimated 2,500 events across the U.S.

“ I’m here because we deserve dignity, people who treat us fair and aren’t greedy for power, freedom of speech, healthcare and a government who respects that,” said Roy May, a special education elementary school teacher.

Former State assembly member Juan Arambula was also seen at the rally at Manchester Center. No counter-protests were apparent.