At least 2,000 demonstrators gathered outside Tampa City Hall on Saturday, joining millions of people nationwide in what organizers called “No Kings” protests against the Trump administration.

RELATED: Nationwide ‘No Kings’ demonstrations draw millions to streets, organizers say

The Tampa demonstration, the third of its kind in the city since June 2024, stretched along East Kennedy Boulevard in what witnesses described as the largest such protest in the area. Attendees cited a range of grievances, including Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) activity, the ongoing war in Iran, lack of funding for TSA agents and the release of the Epstein files.

“It just means the world to me to see all the support out here,” said Bethany Bartley, a Westchase resident who said she has attended multiple “No Kings” events over the last few months.

A travel agent by trade, Bartley said the prospect of ICE agents in airports motivated her to show up.

“That’s the last thing I want to see in an airport is an ICE agent. I’m here to support the TSA agents who are there doing the right thing and not getting paid,” Bartley said.

The crowd drew participants from beyond the Tampa Bay region. David Vardi, who traveled from New York City, said the movement transcends partisan lines.

“Parties don’t matter anymore,” he said. “It’s just the 1% of the world which is just controlling everything. So people have to hit the streets. It’s a pitchfork moment.”

Joe Nohava, an organizer with the Tampa Immigrants Rights Committee, said the local coalition has a specific legislative target in its sights.

“We’re hoping to move our campaign for Tampa to cancel our 287(g) agreement with ICE,” Nohava said. “That’s our big push. So we’ve been flyering and speaking about that.”

A 287(g) agreement allows local law enforcement agencies to perform certain immigration enforcement functions in partnership with federal authorities.

Not everyone views the demonstrations favorably. Tom Gaitens, a former state committeeman for the Hillsborough County Republican Party, called protests like Saturday’s “projection.” Speaking Friday, Gaitens pointed to the Supreme Court’s recent decision striking down President Trump’s sweeping tariffs as evidence that constitutional guardrails remain intact.

“He had to change his strategy and use the tariffs under a different guidance of law,” Gaitens said. “That’s not a king. A king would have ignored everything and just done what he wanted.”

Gaitens acknowledged the underlying policy tensions driving the unrest.

“It’s not easy to manage these problems,” he said.

Both Republican and Democratic officials have urged participants to channel their energy into the midterm elections, scheduled for Nov. 3.

The Tampa Immigrants Rights Council will host a know-your-rights event regarding ICE activity from 2-4:30 p.m. on April 11 at The Corner Club in Tampa, located on E Sligh Avenue.