‘We’ve got to save democracy’: ‘No Kings’ anti-Trump protest in Rock Hill
As “No Kings” protests took place across the Charlotte region, South Carolina and the nation Saturday, Rock Hill and other area communities featured hundreds of people carrying signs and making their voices heard.
Residents gathered in uptown Charlotte Saturday morning for a “No Kings” rally intended to be a peaceful protest against the policies of President Donald Trump.
The protests come during the federal government shutdown. The American Federation of Government Employees encouraged its 820,000 members to join the rallies. Trump has “doubled down” on “authoritarian power grabs,” according to the No Kings website.
“The president thinks his rule is absolute,” No Kings organizers say on the site. “But in America, we don’t have kings and we won’t back down against chaos, corruption, and cruelty.”
Rock Hill protesters pack downtown
Signs and people flowed into downtown Rock Hill after noon as the “No Kings” protest began around 2 p.m.
William Thornton and his wife, Linda, held signs along Dave Lyle Boulevard. William, a retired physician, said “democracy is under attack, and we are in danger of losing it if we don’t resist.” Linda, a retired teacher, added, “I think Trump is the worst person to be guiding our country.”
Some of the people protesting were retired military including Mick Harrington and Bill Hearsey. Harrington, a U.S. Army veteran, had a “no kings no clowns” sign and said “this whole regime this whole administration just scares the hell out of me.”
Hearsey, who served in the U.S. Marine Corps, said he’s speaking out for healthcare for all citizens and the proper use of the military. He said deploying troops to cities in this country is not what the armed forces are for.
“You don’t put the military out to scare everybody,“ Hearsey said. “The military’s purpose is not to intimidate.”
Diane and Sylvester Smith of Fort Mill said they came out to show their support for the country they love. “We have the wrong people up there making decisions,“ Sylvester said. “We’ve got to save democracy.”
The protest took up the block of Dave Lyle between Main Street and White Street in the city’s downtown. At the corner of Dave Lyle and Main, Melody Kearse held up her sign to show her displeasure with the Trump administration. Her spot was at the fulcrum point of a city block filled behind her with hundreds of people who wanted to voice their American rights to a country where all people have a say.
“I believe democracy, in freedom, in the Constitution” she said.
By 2:15 p.m., as hundreds waved their signs, cars honked as they waited at the busy intersection while more beeped their car horns as they sped by.
Many people there Saturday said they were hopeful by the size of the crowd, and that those who oppose Trump’s policies will continue to voice their concerns and mobilize politically in their communities.
Jan Person, of Fort Mill, said she does not like the direction of the country under the Trump administration and her presence Saturday was meant to show a love for the country. Her sign said “This is Love America Day. Standing up for Democracy, not fascism. Stop authoritarianism now. I am a protester for free!”
After 3 p.m., the crowd swelled even more, with some groups chanting “USA” and others waving American flags and other signs.
Indian Land, Fort Mill residents show up in the morning
Hundreds showed up on Saturday morning across from Indian Land Middle School to join in the “No Kings” rallies nationally.
People waved signs that said “Dump Trump” and “Hands off my democracy” as cars honked along the road.
Victoria Bingham was one of those lined up, saying she sick of writing letters or making donations. “They need to see that we the people still have our rights and our healthcare. The public officials need to see that people are pissed off and want to do something,” she said.
“This is my way of coming out and vocalizing my rights as an American. I’m here today to support women’s rights and human rights and that’s something we’ve really gotten away from.”
Mary Bingham came up from Camden to attend the rally and said she needed to come today because she was tired of sitting around and just complaining. “The way that the country is going where we’re rounding up people and putting them in jail for no reason; sending troops to the cities and fighting against ourselves, it’s just ridiculous,” she said.
“They’re trying to take us back to when women didn’t have any rights... I just feel like everything is going the wrong way and is in a bad place.”
This story was originally published October 18, 2025 at 12:05 PM with the headline "‘We’ve got to save democracy’: ‘No Kings’ anti-Trump protest in Rock Hill."
