‘No Kings’ demonstrators gather at Ohio Statehouse, calling for democracy and accountability

Sean R. Phillips
Sun, 19 Oct 2025 03:00:40 +0000
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A protester holds the American flag as the audience listens to a speaker on Saturday. Credit: Daniel Bush | Campus Photo Editor

The "No Kings" movement began in June of 2025 to protest the Trump administration. Credit: Faith Schneider | Arts & Life Photo Editor

A protester drives a truck past other protesters gathered on Broad Street and High Street on Saturday. Credit: Daniel Bush | Campus Photo Editor

Protesters pack the Statehouse steps on Saturday. Credit: Daniel Bush | Campus Photo Editor

Protester dresses as current President Donald Trump at the Ohio Statehouse during a No Kings Day protest Saturday. Credit: Faith Schneider | Arts & Life Editor

Counterprotesters wade through crowds on High Street on Saturday. Credit: Daniel Bush | Campus Photo Editor

Protesters fly the American flag and wave signs at the Ohio Statehouse during No Kings Day protest Saturday. Credit: Faith Schneider | Arts & Life Photo Editor

A protester holds a sign outside the Statehouse on Saturday. Credit: Daniel Bush | Campus Photo Editor

No Kings Day protests occurred across the country Saturday. Credit: Faith Schneider | Arts & Life Photo Editor

A State Trooper observes protests on Saturday. Credit: Daniel Bush | Campus Photo Editor

Protestors march around the Ohio Statehouse while shouting Anti-Trump administration chants during a No Kings Day protest Saturday. Credit: Faith Schneider | Arts & Life Photo Editor

Columbus Police Officers stand among protesters near High Street outside Statehouse grounds on Saturday. Credit: Daniel Bush | Campus Photo Editor

A protester sits outside the Statehouse grounds on Saturday. Credit: Daniel Bush | Campus Photo Editor

Protestors march around the Ohio Statehouse while shouting Anti-Trump administration chants during a No Kings Day protest Saturday. Credit: Faith Schneider | Arts & Life Photo Editor

Protester plays bagpipes at the Ohio Statehouse. Instruments were incorporated in chants and rallies at the No Kings Day protest Saturday. Credit: Faith Schneider | Arts & Life Photo Editor

Protesters hold signs on Broad Street across from the Statehouse on Saturday. Credit: Daniel Bush | Campus Photo Editor

Thousands gather outside of the Ohio Statehouse during the No Kings Day protest Saturday. Credit: Faith Schneider | Arts & Life Photo Editor

State Troopers outside the Statehouse on Saturday. Credit: Daniel Bush | Campus Photo Editor

Protesters carry signs down Broad Street outside Statehouse grounds on Saturday. Credit: Daniel Bush | Campus Photo Editor

A man lounges on Statehouse grounds on Saturday. Credit: Daniel Bush | Campus Photo Editor

Thousands from across Ohio gathered on the grounds of the Ohio Statehouse Saturday for the “No Kings” protest, one of many held nationally calling for greater accountability within the U.S. government.??

The “No Kings” movement, launched in June 2025, was organized by Democrat and progressive groups looking to challenge policies from President Donald J. Trump’s administration they deem corrupt and authoritarian, according to their website.?

The crowd of around 10,000 protestors chanted, “O-H, I-O, Donald Trump has got to go!” among other sayings.?

Within the crowd, some posters read, “Pro-American! Anti-Trump,” and “No Tyranny, No King, No Dictators.”

Organizers said their message is about upholding the core values of democracy.?

“People come out and have an opportunity to stand up for the things they care about,” Mia Lewis, a No Kings spokesperson and associate director of Common Cause Ohio, said. “The U.S. Constitution, freedom of speech, freedom of the press and freedom of religion.”

There were around five counter protesters who declined to comment.

Some of the protest attendees made the trip to the Statehouse to express their frustration with the Trump presidency.?

“Standing up for democracy is so important,” Debbie Sutherland, 59, of Delaware, Ohio, said. “[So is] speaking out against the lies of this administration and everything they stand for.”?

Sutherland said she believes Congress has not done enough to hold Trump’s administration accountable.?

“There are no checks and balances with this administration,” Sutherland said. “The majority of Congress is folding, they’re advocating [for him] and they’re letting him do whatever he wants to do.”?

Among the crowd was a group of veterans who said they felt the president represented the antithesis of the values — including loyalty, duty, respect and integrity, according to the U.S. Army website — they served to protect.?

“He called [fallen soldiers] suckers and losers,” Dwight Miller, 70, a Navy veteran from Jenera, Ohio, said. “Why do you think we call him ‘Cadet Bone Spurs?’ That man was born into wealth and privilege.”?

Miller said that he believes the president is disconnected from Americans who were struggling to make ends meet.?

“He doesn’t know what it’s like to be an average American,” Miller said. “He’s never understood homelessness [or] hunger, and I don’t want him president.”?

The protest also drew political hopefuls who said they wanted to hear directly from constituents about their frustrations.?

“I was worried about the direction this country was going in,” Chris Volpe, an Ohio State alum and U.S. Senate democrat hopeful, said. “But I want to be an active participant [in] making a future I want to live in.”?

Although there were no immediate outcomes of Saturday’s protest, the organizers said it was part of a larger goal.

“We’re not just protesting,” Lewis said. “We’re also encouraging people to vote, to call their congressmen, and to support their communities.”