‘No Kings’ rallies draw crowds across Central Florida

Crowds gathered across the country Saturday for what organizers called “No Kings” rallies, with demonstrators taking to the streets to voice concerns about leadership, policy and the direction of the nation.In Central Florida, large groups filled downtown Orlando, Baldwin Park, Ocala, Deland, the Villages, Cocoa, Leesburg, Sanford and Ormond Beach. At the rallies, people carried signs, chanted and said they wanted their voices heard. Downtown Orlando saw hundreds of participants earlier in the day, with chants and a lot of crowd energy echoing through the streets. Organizers said the rallies are meant to push back against policies from the Trump administration that they believe go too far.“We need to send the message that we are not accepting the erosion of our freedom and the erosion of due process, the erosion of voting rights,” said Ericka Gomez-Tejeda, organizing director for Hope Community Center.Protesters held flags and handmade signs, with many saying they felt compelled to attend.“Orlando needs to have its voice, and we need to send a strong message that we don’t agree with what is happening,” Gomez-Tejeda said.Orlando City Commissioner Patty Sheehan also joined the crowd, saying the moment calls for action.“I don’t believe what’s happening in this country right now is disgusting, and I think we need to fight back,” Sheehan said.Sheehan added that the rally is about accountability and constitutional principles.“This is a ‘No Kings’ protest; there should be checks and balances according to the Constitution,” she said.For Sheehan, the issue is personal as well.“I love America, but I do not love what is happening to this country right now, and I’m also an immigrant,” she said.Immigration was a central issue for many attendees, with demonstrators calling for changes to current policies and greater protections.“We want action, we want ICE out of our jails, schools out of our communities and out of our police departments,” Gomez-Tejeda said.Organizers said the rallies are part of a broader national movement, and they plan to continue pushing their message in the days ahead.“We want to have liberty and justice for all,” Gomez-Tejeda said. Organizers said all the rallies were peaceful.

, Fla. —

Crowds gathered across the country Saturday for what organizers called “No Kings” rallies, with demonstrators taking to the streets to voice concerns about leadership, policy and the direction of the nation.

In Central Florida, large groups filled downtown Orlando, Baldwin Park, Ocala, Deland, the Villages, Cocoa, Leesburg, Sanford and Ormond Beach.

At the rallies, people carried signs, chanted and said they wanted their voices heard.

Downtown Orlando saw hundreds of participants earlier in the day, with chants and a lot of crowd energy echoing through the streets.

Organizers said the rallies are meant to push back against policies from the Trump administration that they believe go too far.

“We need to send the message that we are not accepting the erosion of our freedom and the erosion of due process, the erosion of voting rights,” said Ericka Gomez-Tejeda, organizing director for Hope Community Center.

Protesters held flags and handmade signs, with many saying they felt compelled to attend.

“Orlando needs to have its voice, and we need to send a strong message that we don’t agree with what is happening,” Gomez-Tejeda said.

Orlando City Commissioner Patty Sheehan also joined the crowd, saying the moment calls for action.

“I don’t believe what’s happening in this country right now is disgusting, and I think we need to fight back,” Sheehan said.

Sheehan added that the rally is about accountability and constitutional principles.

“This is a ‘No Kings’ protest; there should be checks and balances according to the Constitution,” she said.

For Sheehan, the issue is personal as well.

“I love America, but I do not love what is happening to this country right now, and I’m also an immigrant,” she said.

Immigration was a central issue for many attendees, with demonstrators calling for changes to current policies and greater protections.

“We want action, we want ICE out of our jails, schools out of our communities and out of our police departments,” Gomez-Tejeda said.

Organizers said the rallies are part of a broader national movement, and they plan to continue pushing their message in the days ahead.

“We want to have liberty and justice for all,” Gomez-Tejeda said.

Organizers said all the rallies were peaceful.