Springfield: No kings since the 1770’s. (WMP&I)

SPRINGFIELD—A crowd of hundreds—and perhaps well over a thousand—here joined protesters across the 413 and the United States for the “No Kings” protests aimed at Donald Trump. Hours before Trump’s sputtering military parade in Washington, Americans rallied to oppose his increasingly monarchical tendencies.

Demonstrators gathered at the Federal Courthouse on State Street, filling the plaza at State and Elliot Streets and lining State nearly a block in each direction. Indeed, it was one of at least a half-dozen protests in the Valley with more just over the border in Enfield. Such rallies occurred in major cities and small towns everywhere except in the nation’s capital. Organizers largely ceded that city to Trump.

“We are standing here today to say there are no kings in democracy,” said Mark-Antonio Williams, Senator Elizabeth Warren’s Western Mass director, reading a letter from her.

“No kings” became a rallying cry as the Trump administration began behaving in autocratic, extralegal ways that even English monarchs have been unable to do for centuries. June 14 marked the 250^th anniversary of the US Army—the official reason for Trump’s parade—formed during the American Revolution.

In Springfield, organizers put forward a wide array of speakers. Representatives from all three of the region’s federal officials—Warren, Senator Ed Markey and Representative Richard Neal—read messages. Labor, women’s rights activists, immigrant advocates, and local officials spoke about the stakes as Trump’s regime attempts to curtail rights.

Demonstrations against Trump’s policies and actions have occurred since he took office. Yet, they did not begin with massive, worldwide actions the day after he took the oath as was the case in 2017. The protests on Saturday were partly counterprogramming to a military parade Trump had planned for himself to coincide with his birthday.

Trump has been thirsting for a military-style parade with tanks and other hardware after joining French President Emmanuel Macron for Bastille Day celebrations in 2017. Yet, the French tradition differs from the US—including why it holds a military parade. That left Trump’s display more comparable to those in dictatorships like North Korea and Russia hold. In the end, the event paled in comparison to autocratic regimes’ parades.

Donald Trump does NOT want you to share this footage of his pathetically tiny birthday parade crowd.

— Brian Tyler Cohen (@briantylercohen.bsky.social) 2025-06-14T22:28:40.682Z

The No Kings protests featured better attendance, by far. This was especially true in Springfield, which outside labor pickets only began to host protests more frequently since Trump’s first term.

Springfield Police were visible but hardly legion. A few cops stopped traffic to let demonstrators cross State Street every so often. Several others were posted along the curbs near the protesters. The feds had no visible presence. If they were around, they must have donned plain clothes and left the facemasks in the drawer for “secret police” gear.

Ryan Walsh, spokesperson for the city police department, did not say whether any issues arose during the protest. However, he indicated Pearl Street’s presence at such an event was routine.

“We have a police presence at any and all know standouts/protests in the city to ensure the safety of everyone in the area,” he emailed.

Protesters in Springfield hoisted American flags as well as Mexican and Ukrainian banners. The horns of passing cars were an orchestra of supportive honking.

Dinos and Old Glory March against Trump Together. (WMP&I)

(WMP&I)

There were colorful and delightfully derogatory signs, lampooning Trump and members of his cabinet. Disease vector and nominal Secretary of Health & Human Services Robert Kennedy, Jr. appeared prominently on a sign that read “Make Measles Great Again.”

Other Trump references were indirect. One sign read, “Only Lady Liberty wears a crown.” Another cardboard makeshift sign simply read, “Too Many Issues for One Sign.”

Well, he’s certainly trying… (WMP&I)

“This is an administration out of control,” said Jesse Lederman, a former Springfield City Councilor, reading a statement from Senator Markey, for whom he now works. “This is not about Democrats or Republicans. It’s about a future free from fascism.”

“Trump and Republicans want us to get tired, to give up and to go home. They want us to be scared,” he continued. “Well, we have news for them. The people of Massachusetts have never bowed to kings.”

Senator Adam Gomez, who represents most of Springfield along with parts of Chicopee, said that the legislature would “respond decisively” to safeguard Massachusetts residents’ freedoms. However, he also indicated that people would have to push back to protect their rights and protect their neighbors.

“Our democracy is not a given,” Gomez said. “We cannot afford to sit back, sit down and not exercise our rights when it comes to our democracy. Friends, I urge you: don’t be spectators.”

Councilor Govan condemning Trump’s edicts. (WMP&I)

Ward 8 City Councilor Zaida Govan rejected the notion that Trump’s actions had public approval because the US had gone too far seeking equality and equity.

“I say we haven’t gone far enough,” she proclaimed.

The non-politician speakers included academics, housing activists, labor leaders and a message from a federal worker.

The Department of Veterans Affairs employee sent a statement another speaker read. The employee remained anonymous to avoid repercussions at work. However, the worker warned that trans veterans—not active duty military—were losing access to gender-affirming care that they had received for years. The employee urged people to contact the top Democrats on the veterans committees in Congress.

A Smith College professor described the attack on women as among the first and typical of fascist regimes. A plumber decried cuts to Social Security, dismissing Trump’s assurances that he would not cut Social Security. Rather, the cuts to beneficiary-facing roles were tantamount to a cut.

Katie Talbot of Springfield No One Leaves said her organization stood in solidarity with the numerous groups that participated in the No Kings rally. However, she noted that federal and state funding had been cut at housing authorities to pay for tax breaks. She dinged Mayor Domenic Sarno for not funding the city’s housing trust.

Patrick Burke, head of the United Autoworkers, Local 2322, began by declaring, “No kings, no bosses, no masters.”

However, the union leader observed that Trump had already executed one of the largest attacks on workers in history. Specifically, Trump has moved to void the bargaining rights of hundreds of thousands of federal employees. (Federal employee have sued). Burke urged people to join labor and tenant unions and support immigrants through groups like the Pioneer Valley Workers Center.

Shorter Gomez: Stand up and fight, but that also means take care of each other. (WMP&I)

Yet that call also speaks to another reality. Trump’s lawless onslaught and undemocratic machinations will not abate immediately. People will need to take care of each other pending next year’s midterm election at a minimum.

Senator Gomez, in his remarks, listed actions people could take.

“Be active participants. Engage in our community. Talk to your neighbors. Volunteer. Help register voters. Make your voice heard,” he said.

Some actions could directly help the people in Trump’s crosshairs, however.

“Take immigrant brothers and sisters to work or their kids to school,” he advised, “because when we come together, nothing can stop us.”