Young and old alike came together to No Kings events across Southwest Florida on Saturday to protest the policies of President Donald Trump.
Large crowds at several sites were greeted with honking in agreement, thumbs up, and the occasional obscene gesture.
Some drivers of large trucks cost themselves dearly in gasoline as they squealed tires and belched smoke in apparent disapproval.
Mostly things were peaceful. Crowds of demonstrators were serenaded by everyone from Bob Marley to Pete Seeger. Chants like “Hey Hey, Ho Ho, Donald Trump has got to go,” were not infrequent.
The coordinated Saturday events were another round of the “No Kings” protests, the latest in a series of mass demonstrations since President Donald Trump took office, in hundreds of big cities and small towns across the country.
More than 100 were scheduled in his home state of Florida.
Most repeat attendees in Southwest Florida said the crowds were larger than the previous two No Kings events, though an increased number of sites may have stretched individual crowds thin.
The protests were spread throughout the state and nation. Groups lined sidewalks and streets, meeting at churches and parks to let their feelings be known.
“I’m glad there are a lot of people like this in our town,” said Micajah Martin-Newman, at age 10 attending his first-ever protest with mother Meghan Martin and his big sister Maggie, 11.
Micajah was waving at cars and holding a sign with perhaps a few hundred others beside Cleveland Avenue, in front of the Edison Mall in Fort Myers.
Meghan Martin with Micajah, 10, and Maggie Martin-Newman, 11, at the kids’ first-ever protest at the Edison Mall in Fort Myers on March 28, 2026. “I’m glad there’s a lot of people like this in our town,” said Micajah.
“I want to speak up and make sure my voice is heard, said Maggie. “What Trump is doing is not OK.”
That sentiment was repeated at event after event.
“We want to let people know we are not happy with what’s happening in our country,” said Joy Bridwell of Labelle.
Bridwell was at her fourth event, she said, including one in Minnesota in October.
“We want fairness and we want them to follow the Constitution,” she said. “The Supreme Court is in his back pocket and it makes me mad.”
Bridwell was with 100 or-so lining the sidewalks at Cypress Lake Drive and Winkler Avenue in Fort Myers, mostly congregated in front of the United Methodist Church at that intersection.
A drone shot of No Kings protesters in Fort Myers on Saturday, March 28, 2026.
Maya Miller was at that intersection, too.
“We should have a democracy,” said Maya, 13. “We’ve got to protect our rule of law and our democracy.”
Maya said she was also glad to see so many people who agree with her.
Third No Kings rally draws thousands to Collier Government Complex
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Thousands of protesters walk from the courthouse to the sidewalks of Tamiami Trail during the third No Kings protest at the Collier County Government Complex in Naples, Fla., on Saturday, March 28, 2026.
In Naples, thousands of protesters gathered outside of the courthouse as speakers and performers hyped the crowd up. Around 10:30, the large crowd flooded the sidewalks from the intersection of Tamiami Trail and Airport-Pulling Road to Espinal Boulevard and the surrounding areas.
Volunteers said it was the largest crowd they had seen out of the three No Kings protests.
Metal railings lined portions of the sidewalk to prevent the crowd from spilling onto the street as they chanted and waved their signs among a cacophony of honks from passing cars. More than a dozen law enforcement officers stood watch throughout the two-hour event.
Indivisible Gambit SWFL, who organized the event, also collected toiletries, dry rice and beans for “our neighbors in need.”
More than 1,000 crowded the intersection of Santa Barbara and Veterans Parkway in Cape Coral. Sue O’Connor, 68, and Janice Johnsen were among them.
“I don’t like what’s going on,” Johnsen said.
“Any of it,” O’Connor echoed.
Retired Cape firefighter and Viet Nam veteran Jerry Guthrie, 79, has lived in the city for just under 50 years. He served three tours and received two Purple Hearts.
“I don’t like that he’s in the White House,” he said. “He’s ruined this county and he’s taking away our democracy and our freedoms.”
Gutherie proudly showed a picture of his mom and dad, both Marines.
Bill Medvecky, who hosted the Edison Mall event, was looking forward instead of back.
“I want to leave my grandkids an America to live in,” said Medvecky, 82. “At the rate we’re going that’s not going to happen.”
Naples Daily News journalist Jonah Hinebaugh contributed to this report.
This article originally appeared on Fort Myers News-Press: Fort Myers and Naples ring with anti-Trump protests