‘This is what democracy looks like’: ‘No Kings’ anti-Trump protest in Charlotte
At First Ward Park, Jeffrey Self held a picket sign saying “No Dictators,” featuring a crown crossed out and “No Kings Since 1776.” The sign also included the phrase “We the People.”
He was joined by thousands who felt the same way at the “No Kings 2” rally and march in uptown Charlotte on Saturday. The event was held to protest the policies of President Donald Trump’s administration.
“It seems like our government thinks that they can do whatever they want,” Self said. “So this is what democracy looks like—a peaceful stance, saying that this is not right, not toppling over things, not pitching a fit because you don’t get your way.”
The protest was one of more than 2,500 held nationwide, which organizers described as the largest single-day protest in recent memory. Organizers estimated that about 7,000 people attended the Charlotte march, although police had not yet provided their own count.
Throughout the day, at least six additional rallies took place in the area, including Concord, Cornelius, Gaston County, Denver, Monroe, and Waxhaw. There were rallies in Rock Hill and York County, S.C., as well.
‘We will not be erased’: Speakers open rally
Indivisible Charlotte and community partners hosted Charlotte’s No Kings Rally. The event included several speakers who addressed thousands of people holding picket signs and flags.
Cameron Pruette of the Human Rights Campaign Board of Governors led a call and response, with the crowd answering “We the People” — the first words of the U.S. Constitution.
“This is a document that’s been trampled upon,” Pruette said. “Our people’s rights are being destroyed, targeted, and attacked.”
He was concerned about ICE arrests and raids and said the agents are “abducting our neighbors.”
“…they have gone to school pickup lines and have taken parents away from their children,” Pruette said. “They are staying in church parking lots to stage their tyranny and their terror.”
Pruette also talked about showing support for the LGBTQ+ community and mentioned how local hospitals are complying with the president’s executive order to limit youth access to gender-affirming care nationwide.
“Let me be clear: pre-compliance, being silent, backing down will save none of us,” Pruette said. “I want you to know that LGBTQ folks have always been here, and we will not be erased.”
Along with Pruette, other speakers included Reed Galen, an independent political strategist and co-founder of The Lincoln Project; Lou Lesesne, a civil rights lawyer; Rev. Dr. Janet Garner-Mullins, board member for Health Care Justice of NC and the Reimagining America Project; and attorney Sharon Drove.
After the remarks in the park, the organizers led a one-mile march through uptown and returned to the park.
‘I think it’s a good wake-up call for us to get involved’
The first No Kings protest was held on June 14, with thousands in attendance. It coincided with Flag Day and a military parade in Washington, D.C., by Trump to honor the U.S. Army’s 250th anniversary.
On Saturday, protesters showed up with signs related to immigration policies, anti-war messages, and others calling the president a dictator.
“I don’t consider myself completely Democrat or completely Republican,” Self said. “I consider myself somewhere in the middle, but I do know that human rights should be respected.”
Michael Curtis of Charlotte said a lot of people are upset about what’s going on in the White House.
“I think that as bad as this is, we could have stayed complacent longer and more damage could have been done, if not for something like this,” Curtis said. “I think it’s a good wake-up call for us to get involved and to become true citizens — participating in the policies of the government.”
Pamela Morgenstern attended with her friend Minerva Hardy, a lifelong member of the NAACP, to support civil rights and voter protection, among other issues.
“I just felt like I had to be here to express my opinion, as well as others,” Hardy said. “We have to make a change, and it starts with us.”
“I truly believe that our vote is our voice, and I believe that is of the utmost importance — that’s why I’m here,” Morgenstern added.
Indivisible Charlotte worked with Common Cause, the Poor People’s Campaign, Nourish Up, Democracy NC, Carolina Migrant Network, Human Rights Campaign NC, Center for Common Ground, and Health Care Justice-NC.
Before the march, Samantha Turner of the NC Poor People’s Campaign said she didn’t want America to become an autocracy—a system of government by one person with absolute power.
“We feel that fascism has come to our nation and we are strongly saying no to fascism,” Turner said. “We are celebrating this beautiful country of ours — the diversity. We are celebrating the civil rights we have held so dear, and we will not be silent and we will not let them go.”
This story was originally published October 18, 2025 at 8:42 AM.