UMKC students joined thousands at the No Kings 2.0 rally at Mill Creek Park on Oct. 18, voicing outrage over the Trump administration and calling for a stronger defense of democracy.
The demonstration followed a series of national No Kings Day protests on June 14.
Phoebe Haganey, a junior majoring in sociology, attended both of the No Kings protests. She stated that the current administration is undermining American democracy and values, driving the country into deeper crisis.
“These protests are being labeled as ‘anti-American,’ but what I see are people who deeply love America and are trying to preserve the rights and privileges that are so deeply ingrained within American culture,” Haganey said. “People who are showing up recognize that America is meant to be for the masses, not the few.”
Zachary Hill, a UMKC Master of Arts in Teaching student, attended after witnessing the impact policies have had on his first-generation immigrant students.
“It’s not uncommon that we get students that are scared to come to school because they’re afraid something could happen while they’re out and about,” Hill said.
Krista Mann, 49-year-old board member of Indivisible Kansas City, estimated that the turnout was over double that of the No Kings Day protest on June 14.
“It’s so important for us to be out in the community to show there’s so much strength,” Mann said. “We have to grow. We have to show the world how big this is – and how powerful and insistent it is. We’re not going away. We’re only going to get bigger.”
Anti-Trump KC speakers and participants gathered using costumes and signs as forms of protest. Cars passing Emanuel Cleaver II Boulevard blared their horns in support.
69-year-old Beverly Harvey, founder of Indivisible Kansas City, said they work to boost awareness of democratic values in the KC community.
However, some affiliated organizations raised concerns about the protest’s effectiveness and joined to help newcomers stay involved.
Drew Sorenson, 29-year-old co-chair of the Kansas City Democratic Socialists of America (KCDSA), said there was internal debate on attending the No Kings 2.0 demonstration.
“People are mobilizing [and] are against Trump, but they’re not disrupting or really making any real demands against power,” Sorenson said. “It doesn’t really show them how to weaponize their own power in their own lives and make it into something more than it already is.”
Sorenson addressed the movement’s commitment to “nonviolent action,” stating that civil disobedience is necessary for political change.
Lana Peregrina, a sociology sophomore at UMKC, expressed similar concerns. She heard about the Oct. 18 protest but chose not to attend.
“The whole point of a protest is for it to be disruptive. It’s in no means disruptive. They keep it still. They don’t move,” Peregrina said. “We don’t have the same mindset, and it’s not really strategically organized. Who is it bothering?”
Peregrina attended the No Kings demonstration on June 14. She also gathered alongside hundreds of anti-ICE protestors on June 10, walking from Southwest Boulevard to the World War I memorial.
“The one that was on [June 10] did what it was supposed to do. It inconvenienced people. It blocked traffic,” Peregrina said. “Some white guy hopped off his bike and tried to jump someone from the group and got his ass kicked … It made a statement.”
Katie Prout of The General Strike KC said that it is a challenge to get people to take action as their team prepares a national strike against the U.S. government.
“There is a collective consciousness for us to want to form community gatherings. I hear it everywhere I go,” Prout said. “It can be a little bit overwhelming, and honestly, people are really busy with their day-to-day lives.”
The demonstration was scheduled from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m., but many stayed until 6 p.m. Indivisible organizers redirected protestors to march within the park to avoid blocking traffic.
As the main crowd dispersed, attendees began to spread out. A group of anti-Trump protesters with flags and signs demonstrated in the middle of Emanuel Cleaver II Boulevard at around 5 p.m., chanting alongside the crowd.
No reports or arrests were made during the protest. However, witnesses said three separate pro-Trump bystanders interjected, attempting to take down signs.
The event featured speeches and organizing efforts by Indivisible Kansas City, 50501 Movement, Mailstorm KC, and more.
