Protesters Rally Against Trump Administration Across Jersey Shore

Demonstrators gather on Route 70 from Freehold to Toms River for 'No Kings' protest

Mar. 28, 2026 at 7:52pm

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Thousands of demonstrators rallied across the Jersey Shore on March 28th, protesting what they called the Trump administration's authoritarian actions and policies, including the use of masked federal agents, an illegal war in Iran, and the death of a Minneapolis woman at the hands of an ICE agent. The protesters, many of them elderly residents, gathered with signs, chants, and costumes to call for Trump's impeachment.

Why it matters

The 'No Kings' protests reflect growing concerns among some Americans about the perceived overreach of federal power and erosion of civil liberties under the current administration. The demonstrations also highlight the political divide in the country, with the elderly traditionally leaning Republican but now voicing opposition to Trump's policies.

The details

Protesters gathered at intersections along Route 70 from Freehold to Toms River, with the goal of symbolically connecting the rallies. Organizer Laurie Mauro said they wanted to include less mobile residents from nearby 55+ communities, though concerns about parking and standing for hours were challenging. Despite some verbal harassment from passing trucks, the majority of drivers honked and cheered in support. Protesters criticized the administration's actions, including the death of Renee Good in Minneapolis, the capture of Venezuela's leader, and the withdrawal from international agreements. They called for Trump's impeachment and an end to the 'illegal' war in Iran.

  • The protests took place on March 28, 2026.
  • More than 3,000 similar events were scheduled across the country on the same day.

The players

Laurie Mauro

The organizer of the protest at the intersection of Route 70 and Airport Road, in front of the Leisure Village community.

Joe French

A protester who was hanging up a 'NO KINGS' sign between two trees.

Ken Roach

A Jackson Township resident who bought the protesters munchkins from Dunkin' in a show of support.

David Kestner

An 87-year-old veteran who was passing out small USA flags and 'No Kings' pins, and criticized Trump for not going through the constitutional process for the war in Iran.

Renee Good

A woman in Minneapolis who was killed by an Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent, according to the protesters.

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What they’re saying

“We have had a lot of pushback about being here, but we are 100 feet from the (Leisure Village) entrance and we are on state property to be here. We are just exercising our rights.”

— Laurie Mauro, Protest Organizer

“We don't need masked police running around the streets, grabbing people. We don't need to start wars for no apparent reason. People need to speak out.”

— Joe French, Protester

“This guy (Trump) isn't exactly the most politically correct person in the world; there is no need for us to be dealing with Iran like this. We got no business in this war. We are doing other people's bidding. He ran basically on America first, and this is not America first.”

— Ken Roach, Supporter

“(Trump) did not go through the constitutional process. He is doing this illegally, and I am hoping that sometime in the future, when he is out of office, Iran files for extradition for war crimes.”

— David Kestner, 87-year-old Veteran

What’s next

The protesters hope that their demonstrations will continue to grow and inspire more people to take to the streets, as they believe that when 3.5% of the population protests, regimes can topple.

The takeaway

The 'No Kings' protests across the Jersey Shore reflect the deep political divisions in the country, with even traditionally Republican-leaning elderly residents voicing strong opposition to the Trump administration's perceived authoritarian actions and disregard for civil liberties. The demonstrations highlight the growing concerns about the erosion of democratic norms and the rule of law.