Downtown Orlando ‘No Kings’ protest brought out thousands of impassioned locals against Trump

Nothing like a sunny Saturday afternoon awash with a sea of passionate, energetic Orlandoans united in nonviolent direct action and contempt for fascism.

Downtown Orlando’s “No Kings” demonstration was the scene for one of the largest protest crowds ever seen in the area, spilling over into side streets temporarily shut down because of the sheer crowd size.

A multigenerational gathering of several thousand people massed near City Hall late in the day Saturday to make their voices heard in unison against Donald Trump’s authoritarian policies — and help ruin his birthday — alongside protesters all around the country. Folks brought incredibly clever and impassioned signs, banners and flags and rallied loud and proud, to the supportive honks of nearby cars.

A small group of Trump supporters infiltrated the rally and attempted to take the mic from speakers, but with some quick thinking and deescalation, nothing happened. There were, though, tense moments between the rally attendees, counter-protesters, and even police.

The crowds were dense, the humidity was high and people were fainting by the end of it. But the march was peaceful and collaborative, just like the America that attendees and organizers aim to build.

Well done, 407.