Protesters Gather in Manchester Despite Lack of Official Plans

Demonstrators of all ages show up for 'No Kings' rally at City Hall

Mar. 29, 2026 at 1:06am

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A cinematic painting depicting a group of protesters gathered in front of a government building, with warm sunlight casting long shadows across the scene, capturing the contemplative mood of the event.A pensive crowd gathers in front of Manchester City Hall, their faces illuminated by the warm glow of a late afternoon sun, as the 'No Kings' protest unfolds.Manchester Today

Dozens of demonstrators gathered in front of Manchester City Hall on Saturday for a 'No Kings' rally, despite a lack of official plans for the event. The protesters, ranging from young to old, expressed their support for the cause and their desire to be on the 'right side of history'. Some took a more lighthearted approach, wearing inflatable costumes, while a small number of Trump supporters were also present on the edges of the crowd.

Why it matters

The 'No Kings' rally in Manchester reflects a broader trend of grassroots political activism and civic engagement, particularly among younger generations who are concerned about the future. The event also highlights the ongoing political divisions and tensions in the country, as evidenced by the presence of Trump supporters alongside the anti-establishment protesters.

The details

The demonstrators tell News 9 that they visited different protests across New Hampshire to show their support, and they noted that they witnessed a majority of a specific demographic at each of them. 'Where are the young people? It's their future, and you see so many in the older age bracket,' said Betsy Kretschmer of Alton. Some protesters, like Lara Skinner of Manchester, took a more lighthearted approach, wearing inflatable costumes. On the edges of the crowd, a small number of Trump supporters were also present, expressing their desire for unity and respect for constitutional rights.

  • The protest took place on Saturday, March 29, 2026.

The players

Betsy Kretschmer

A resident of Alton, New Hampshire who attended the 'No Kings' rally and noted the lack of young people among the protesters.

Lara Skinner

A Manchester resident who attended the protest for the first time, wearing an inflatable Tyrannosaurus Rex costume.

Rob Rivera

A Goffstown resident who was among the small number of Trump supporters present at the edges of the protest, waving a 'Trump 2024' flag.

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What they’re saying

“Where are the young people? It's their future, and you see so many in the older age bracket.”

— Betsy Kretschmer, Alton resident

“I'm not a big crowds person. I'm not a big conflict person. But it's the phrase 'I want to be on the right side of history,' so I really felt I needed to come out today.”

— Lara Skinner, Manchester resident

“I feel like there's a lot of discord and separation. I think we just need to come together and just be respectful of each other's constitutional rights and speak more.”

— Rob Rivera, Goffstown resident

What’s next

The organizers of the 'No Kings' rally have not announced any plans for future events, but the continued political activism and civic engagement in the Manchester area suggest that more protests and demonstrations may occur in the coming months.

The takeaway

The 'No Kings' rally in Manchester highlights the ongoing political divisions and tensions in the country, as well as the desire of citizens, particularly younger generations, to be engaged in the political process and have their voices heard. The event also underscores the importance of respectful dialogue and unity, even in the face of deep-seated disagreements.