More Than 1,000 Gather in Utica for ‘No Kings’ Protest Against Trump Administration

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On Saturday, June 14, more than 3,000 residents from Utica, Rome, and Herkimer joined over 2,000 peaceful protests held across the country as part of the nationwide “No Kings” rallies. The demonstrations were sparked by widespread outrage over former President Donald Trump’s $45 million taxpayer-funded military parade and birthday celebration. Critics say the events came at the expense of vital programs like Social Security, SNAP, Medicaid, and public education.

All three Mohawk Valley rallies drew passionate and engaged crowds. In Utica and Herkimer, community members lined the streets, holding handmade signs, chanting, and singing in a collective call for justice and democratic accountability. In Rome, demonstrators gathered at the First Amendment Lawn at Fort Stanwix, where they heard from three featured speakers: Rev. Marie Duquette, a local pastor; Beverly Quist, a retired criminal justice professor; and Michael Brown, a Rome business owner.

The speakers addressed the importance of nonviolent resistance and the growing threat of authoritarianism in the United States and around the world. Their messages were echoed by rally participants, many of whom shared personal stories about why they chose to take a public stand.

Linda from Yorkville said, “I see democracy ending. That’s what I worry about for my children, my grandchildren, and my great-grandchildren. Not for me, but for them.”

A group of young participants identifying themselves as Utica Locals said, “There’s an overwhelming sense of fascism coming about. A lot of our peer group is feeling this sense of dread. It’s not good, we have to do something.”

Ron from Whitesboro shared, “I took an oath to defend the Constitution in 1966 going to Vietnam. I didn’t want to go, but I did. I take that oath seriously.”

Danielle from New Hartford, who attended with her child, said, “I have three daughters. I think it’s very important to protect our rights as women. I work with disabled people who get funding through Medicaid. It’s just very important to stand up for our rights.”

Laura from Rome explained, “I feel like I have to do something rather than just complain to family and friends. As a dual citizen, I resent what he’s doing to Canada. Now our friends there won’t even come because they don’t know what they’ll be subjected to.”

Nate from Utica said, “It’s important to be here because I’m a gay man and don’t want to lose my rights or my marriage. I’m also a second-generation American. My family are all immigrants.”

Megan from Oneida added, “We can’t sit back and wait. We have to do something. We have to fight for our kids, for their future. Everyone who came before us already fought for this. Why are we doing this again?”

Kaitlin from Rome said, “Tyranny is here. We need to end it. There’s no one specific thing. It’s just a lot of things. It’s heartbreaking.”

The rallies represented a strong, local rebuke of what participants described as an authoritarian agenda, one they believe favors billionaires and military spectacle while neglecting the basic needs of everyday Americans.

Across Central New York and the nation, people are organizing to send a clear message. Americans rejected rule by one person 275 years ago, and they continue to reject it today.

The rallies were organized locally by Indivisible Mohawk Valley and co-sponsored by the Oneida County Democratic Women’s Club, SEIU1199, The Interfaith Coalition, Citizen Action, the Oneida County Democratic Committee, Oneida County Pride, and the Herkimer County Democratic Committee.

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