May Day and No Kings Day Protests Draw Big Crowds

This is what democracy looked like at the No Kings protest on June 14, 2025. (Photo credit: Ena Cisewski)

There have been two large protests in Rochester in the months of May and June to voice concerns about the chaos, fear and unfairness of a Republican-led government.

The first was May 1. Over 500 people came to Soldier Field Park to hear speakers talk about labor issues and march downtown.

The second took place at Mayo Memorial Park on June 14, and was designated as No Kings Day. This was a protest of many of the Trump administration’s policies and took place on the same day as the military parade in Washington, D.C. (and Trump’s birthday). The No Kings rally drew 3000 people and was one of the largest protest in Rochester in many years. Again, there were speakers on several of these topics followed by a march to Martin Luther King, Jr. Park in support of the NAACP’s Juneteenth celebration that afternoon.

Weekly Democracy Rallies will continue each Thursday. And another large demonstration is being planned for July.