Thousands Attend First No Kings Protest of the Year in Gainesville

Protesters gather to oppose Trump administration policies on Iran, immigration, and economic inequality.

Mar. 29, 2026 at 2:19pm

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About 2,000 people gathered at Gainesville's Cora Roberson Park on Saturday to protest the Trump administration as part of the nationwide 'No Kings' demonstration series. The protest, organized by the Party for Socialism and Liberation and other local groups, aimed to oppose the administration's actions on Iran, immigration, and economic issues. Protesters marched through the streets chanting slogans and heard from speakers at the park.

Why it matters

The 'No Kings' protests have grown in size and frequency since launching in 2025, reflecting widespread public opposition to the Trump administration's policies. The Gainesville protest was one of over 3,300 such rallies held across the country, underscoring the national scope of the movement. The event also highlighted local concerns about the impact of national issues like rising gas prices and the administration's foreign policy on the Gainesville community.

The details

The protest began around 11 a.m. at Depot Park, where hundreds of people gathered holding signs with slogans like 'Stop the war on Iran' and 'Gators chomp ICE.' The crowd then marched nearly a mile to Cora Roberson Park, where they were joined by more protesters. Organizations like the Sierra Club, Pride Community Center, and local Democratic groups set up tents and tables, and a local folk-rock band performed. Speakers addressed the crowd, which organizers estimated to be between 1,500 and 2,000 people, making it potentially the largest No Kings protest in Gainesville to date.

  • The protest was part of the No Kings demonstration series, which began on June 14, 2025.
  • This was the first No Kings protest of 2026 in Gainesville.

The players

Party for Socialism and Liberation

A left-wing political organization that helped plan and lead the Gainesville protest.

Mariah McGovern

A 34-year-old Gainesville resident and member of the Party for Socialism and Liberation.

Victoria Gomez De La Torre

A 65-year-old immigrant and Gainesville resident who has been an activist since the Reagan administration.

Gerald Herr

A 67-year-old Gainesville resident who attended his second No Kings protest.

Karen Mentz

A 47-year-old Gainesville resident who attended her third No Kings protest.

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What they’re saying

“We are having to sit here and worry about the price of groceries or the price of gas while ultra-rich corporations take all of our money. Then the government uses our taxes to do things like enact violence in the Middle East and let ICE in our streets.”

— Mariah McGovern, Member, Party for Socialism and Liberation

“People in this country do not realize how we're sliding down into autocracy, into dictatorship, because this country has never lived through a dictatorship. I come from South America. I know what it looks like, and we're exactly going into that direction.”

— Victoria Gomez De La Torre, Activist

“I don't like the way Trump runs America. I don't like that he's not diplomatic. I don't like the way he talks down to people. I don't like a lot of his policies.”

— Lane Curington, Protester

What’s next

The organizers plan to continue the No Kings protest series throughout 2026 as the presidential election approaches.

The takeaway

The large turnout for the Gainesville No Kings protest reflects the growing nationwide opposition to the Trump administration's policies, particularly on issues like foreign intervention, immigration, and economic inequality. The event highlights how local communities are mobilizing to voice their concerns about the direction of the country under the current leadership.