Over 350 gather for No Kings rally in Three Rivers

Over the weekend protests took place nationwide as part of the “No Kings” movement, a loosely organized, grassroots effort opposing authoritarianism and promoting democratic institutions. Organizers describe it as a sustained, decentralized protest movement spanning small towns and major cities across the country.

In Three Rivers, more than 350 people gathered at the corner of U.S. 131 and Michigan Avenue on Saturday, March 28, from 3 to 4 p.m. Supportive drivers honked as they passed, while others shouted at demonstrators from their vehicles. At least two trucks repeatedly drove past the crowd in the lane closest to the sidewalk, revving their engines and emitting diesel exhaust toward protesters.

Watershed Voice spoke with attendees who cited a range of motivations for showing up, from solidarity with neighbors to opposition to U.S. military involvement abroad and concern about upcoming elections.

Why people showed up

For some, the protest was personal, expressed through art and symbolism.

John Howie and his daughter, Andrasi, were unloading a large gold-colored sculpture from their truck when Watershed Voice approached. The piece depicted President Donald Trump as a pig, which Andrasi said she created during the first Trump administration in 2016.

Andrasi said it was difficult to choose just one reason for attending.

“He’s a golden idol — a Golden Calf. People are treating him like some kind of divine being, when he’s a sad, broken little man who has wormed his way into power,” she said. “He knew the right people, he was able to get on the news, and he basically got free press by being as outrageous as possible. And now we’re here.”

The sculpture also includes the phrase “money equals love,” which Andrasi said reflects her view of Trump’s values.

Her father said Trump’s treatment of people and relationships motivated him to attend.

“He’s so outrageous in so many ways, you could throw mud against the wall and any of it would stick — corruption, enriching his family, the way he denigrates people,” Howie said. “There’s hardly a value out there that he doesn’t step on pretty hard.”

For both, attending was never in question — only how to get the sculpture there.

Many attendees carried signs with brief, direct messages. Several referenced war and oil, including phrases like “blood wars” and “blood oil.”

One attendee, who identified himself as Randy and held a sign reading “no blood oil,” said his reasons for attending were straightforward.

“I don’t like fascism. The wars are killing our young people. Oil prices — and I don’t like a clown,” Randy said.

Randy said the sign was initially inspired by concerns about U.S. involvement in Venezuela but has since taken on a broader meaning.

“Well, that was for the Venezuela one to start with,” he said. “And for all the wars that he’s trying. The next one he was just saying was going to be Cuba.”

Others emphasized the sense of community at the event.

Stephen Miller, who said he is a Vietnam-era veteran, said camaraderie played a major role in his decision to attend.

“Basically the camaraderie — everybody standing for the same thing. There are so many issues going on that it’s hard to choose just one,” Miller said. “I’ve never seen anything like this.”

Miller also pointed to a range of political concerns, including U.S. military actions abroad and allegations he believes reflect on the president’s character.

“The Epstein files — Trump’s all over them. Everybody knows it,” he said.

Another Vietnam veteran, who identified himself as “Uncle Freddy,” said he served 33 months and described current conflicts as “ego wars.”

“It’s a personal war, an ego war,” he said. “He’s trying to show the world what a man he is, using other people’s kids to do it.”

He added that his experiences serving in Vietnam continue to shape how he views the United States and why he feels its so important to exercise his constitutional rights. 

“I gained a lot from the experience. I spent time in the third world, and I think every American should spend time there,” he said. “They would appreciate what we have here. Even people who are struggling here don’t always understand what poverty looks like in other parts of the world.”

All love, some tension

While the protest remained largely peaceful, there were moments of tension.

“Fuck you, if you don’t like Trump then leave the country!” one man yelled from a passing vehicle before driving away.

The most significant disruption involved two trucks that repeatedly drove past protesters in the lane closest to the sidewalk, revving their engines and emitting diesel exhaust toward the crowd. The trucks circled back multiple times during the hour-long protest, passing within close proximity of those gathered along the road.

Maxwell Knauer is a staff writer for Watershed Voice.