Protesters on Saturday took to the streets across South Florida as part of a growing movement known as the “No Kings” demonstrations.
According to organizers, the rallies are aimed at pushing back against what they described as government overreach and defending individual freedoms.
Large crowds gathered in multiple locations, including Fort Lauderdale and Tropical Park, with turnout reaching into the thousands.
Thousands gathered in Fort Lauderdale as part of a larger wave of No Kings protests happening across South Florida.
“To show the country if we come together, we can make a difference and really effect change across the country,” said a demonstrator.
The movement, which has been gaining momentum online, centers around concerns over government control and is a call to protect personal liberties.
“I’m a social worker by trade, I have a practice in Wilton Manors,” Katy Yankie said. “I’ve spent my life standing up for others, so this is a natural extension of that. There are so many ways we can get involved, and I encourage everybody, before the rights are taken away, to find somebody to get involved.”
Organizers said this is one of their largest turnouts yet, with additional rallies taking place in Tropical Park and over a dozen more from Palm Beach Gardens to Key West.
“The American people are upset there’s so much going on,” said John McNeice, an organizer. “It’s amazing that all these people showed up, and they showed up for a reason, because they do not understand what is going on and they don’t accept what’s going on with this current administration.”
Supporters told NBC6 that the demonstrations are about freedom and accountability.
“We’re all one human race and should all have equal rights, and no one should be under any form of oppression, especially in the United States, and today, we’re being oppressed by our own government,” Aileen O’Brien said.
Saturday’s events remained largely peaceful, with a strong turnout estimated at more than 2,000 people across just the Fort Lauderdale location.
