Thousands of Iowans Join Nationwide 'No Kings' Protests

Protesters in Des Moines, Newton, and Ankeny share hopes for unity and change

Mar. 29, 2026 at 10:26am

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A vibrant, abstract painting depicting a crowd of protesters marching with signs, the figures repeated in overlapping, fractured geometric shapes and waves of color, conveying the energy and momentum of the nationwide 'No Kings' demonstrations.Protesters in Iowa join a nationwide movement to voice opposition to the current administration's policies and push for unity and change.Des Moines Today

Thousands of Iowans participated in nationwide 'No Kings' protests on Saturday, joining demonstrations against the Trump administration and its policies. KCCI spoke with protesters in several Iowa cities, who expressed a common goal of unity and a desire for change on issues like immigration reform and the war in Iran.

Why it matters

The 'No Kings' protests reflect growing grassroots opposition to the current administration's agenda, with Iowans joining a nationwide movement to voice their concerns and push for a different direction. The diversity of issues raised by protesters underscores the broad dissatisfaction felt by many Americans.

The details

Protests took place in over 50 locations across Iowa, ranging from around 200 people in Newton to about 450 in Ankeny and thousands in downtown Des Moines. Protesters expressed a range of motivations, from advocating for immigration reform to calling for an end to the war in Iran and increased funding for domestic social programs. Despite their different specific goals, the protesters shared a common desire for unity and communal progress.

  • The 'No Kings' protests began in June 2025 and have continued in multiple waves.
  • The protests on Saturday, March 29, 2026 were the third round of nationwide demonstrations.

The players

Kris Hoffman

A protester in Newton, Iowa who believes in the value of immigrants and opposes the current administration's immigration policies.

Caden Gantenbein

A protester in Ankeny, Iowa who emphasized the importance of communal, rather than independent, success.

Anthony Headley

A protester in Des Moines, Iowa who believes the government should focus more on domestic issues like homelessness and hunger rather than the war in Iran.

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What they’re saying

“Hopefully we're not as divided as some politicians want us to be.”

— Kris Hoffman, Protester

“There is no independent success here. It's all communal.”

— Caden Gantenbein, Protester

“We are spending billions a day on this war when we have people facing homelessness, hunger, and children are eventually going to be out of school for the summer. Those programs for free and reduced lunches aren't going to be funded. We're bombing girls' schools over in Iran when we need to take care of our own.”

— Anthony Headley, Protester

What’s next

Protesters say continued civic engagement will be necessary to drive significant change, but they are hopeful that the large turnout and growing momentum of the 'No Kings' movement will help move the country in a better direction.

The takeaway

The 'No Kings' protests in Iowa reflect a broader national movement against the current administration, with Iowans joining thousands across the country to voice their concerns over a range of issues. The diversity of perspectives and goals among the protesters underscores the deep dissatisfaction felt by many Americans and the desire for a new political direction.