Fayetteville joins nationwide ‘No Kings’ protest against authoritarianism

Hundreds of demonstrators gathered at Cross Creek Linear Park in Fayetteville on Saturday to join a nationwide wave of “No Kings” protests, declaring that America belongs to its people—not to kings, dictators, or tyrants.

The rally was part of a coordinated response to what organizers describe as  authoritarian power grabs by President Donald Trump and his administration, including immigration raids, political prosecutions, and efforts to consolidate executive power.

Fayetteville’s protest, organized by the Fayetteville Resistance Coalition, was one of more than 50 “No Kings” demonstrations scheduled across North Carolina. 

By midmorning, a crowd of roughly 400 protesters had gathered at the park’s fountain off Green Street, waving handmade signs and chanting slogans like “No troops, no kings, no silence.” Volunteers moved through the crowd distributing water bottles and yellow bandanas—symbols of the movement’s commitment to nonviolence and democratic resistance.

The demonstrators spanned generations and backgrounds: college students, families with young children, active-duty service members, and veterans stood shoulder to shoulder. Their signs carried messages like:

• “The people united will defend immigrant families”
• “No troops on our streets”
• “Only drag kings in America”
• “The only minority destroying this country are the billionaires”
• “My only king is Jesus”

Others handed out printed flyers listing the group’s demands: an end to federal troop deployments, protection of free speech, and a halt to ICE raids. 

At the end of the event, speakers addressed the crowd, including North Carolina Supreme Court Justice Anita Earls and Shaun McMillan, who is running for Fayetteville City Council in District 8.

In Fayetteville, the atmosphere remained peaceful and energized throughout the morning, with minimal visible police presence. Event leaders on the ground said they had trained volunteers in de-escalation tactics and safety protocols to ensure the demonstration stayed calm and focused.

Rally coordinators had secured special permission from the city to hold the demonstration in the park. At 10:45 a.m., the crowd began marching down Green Street, turning onto Bow Street and then Ann Street before looping back to the park. Chants of “No Justice, No Peace” echoed through the neighborhood as volunteers guided the procession.

Only one counter-protester was present: Chris Tober of Fayetteville, who told CityView he attended to support President Trump, particularly his pro-life agenda. “I just wanted to debate with people,” he said. Organizers initially asked Tober not to enter the rally zone, but after speaking with police officers, he was permitted to remain.

For the remainder of the rally, Tober repeatedly attempted to engage protest volunteer Rory Carr-Wire in debate. At one point, he was seen shouting in Carr-Wire’s face, calling him “a communist who supports murder”—a reference to Carr-Wire’s apparent support for abortion rights. Carr-Wire is communications director for 50501 Veterans, a nonpartisan group of service members focused on civic action.

A request to designate a separate area for counter-protesters was denied by the officer on scene, who said Tober was free to move throughout the public space.

“I’m a vet,” Carr-Wire said. “I fought for his right to protest—everyone’s right to protest. I’m just trying to keep the peace.”

The protest movement—organized by No Kings, a network of progressive organizations—began in June as a direct response to Trump’s estimated $30-45 million military parade and birthday celebration. Held in over 2,100 cities, it marked one of the largest single-day protest mobilizations in U.S. history. Fayetteville’s June protest drew roughly 500 people.

Organizers framed Trump’s events in June as a symbol of billionaire-first politics and the militarization of American democracy. Since then, “No Kings” rallies have grown into a broader rejection of authoritarianism, with a stated commitment to nonviolent protest and community safety.

Saturday’s demonstrations come amid a partial government shutdown and Trump’s push to deploy National Guard troops to American cities. 

That issue hits close to home for rally attendee Johnathan Jacobs, a Fayetteville resident who served 12 years in the Army. 

“I would have refused orders,” Jacobs told CityView, reflecting on how he might have responded if deployed under current conditions. “I feel bad for the active-duty guys right now. They’ve got to be torn.”

Asked what advice he’d offer those currently serving, Jacobs said: “If it’s not moral and it’s not constitutional, don’t do it.”

His words echoed a growing unease among protesters about the expanding role of federal force—not just in troop deployments, but in immigration enforcement. Across the country, ICE raids have intensified, with viral videos capturing violent confrontations and community backlash.

The administration has also escalated efforts to prosecute political opponents, including former FBI Director James Comey and New York Attorney General Letitia James, and has challenged media coverage through a defamation lawsuit against The New York Times and the temporary removal of Jimmy Kimmel Live! from primetime following Trump’s criticism of the show’s coverage.

Republican leaders, meanwhile, have sought to reframe the No Kings movement. House Speaker Mike Johnson recently called the demonstrations a “hate America rally,” accusing participants of undermining national unity. 

Organizers dismissed Johnson’s remarks as a distraction from the ongoing government shutdown and said the protests remain a peaceful call to restore democratic values. In a statement, the group accused Johnson of attacking millions of Americans “who are peacefully coming together to say that America belongs to its people, not to kings.”