Thousands of Lee County residents rally in Fort Myers at 'No Kings' protest against Trump

• Hundreds of protesters in Southwest Florida joined the nationwide "No Kings" movement to demonstrate against executive overreach.
• Participants cited concerns over immigration policies, press freedom and voting rights as reasons for protesting.
• The "No Kings" movement, which began in June, held over 80 protests in Florida and roughly 2,500 nationwide on Oct. 18.

Protesters lined U.S. 41 in Fort Myers on Saturday, Oct. 18, as part of the nationwide 'No Kings' movement, one of thousands of protests held across the country, denouncing what participants describe as executive overreach under President Donald Trump.

The Fort Myers demonstration, which took place from 8:30 to 11 a.m. near Daniels Parkway, stretched nearly a mile south to Sauer Drive. More than 3,000 yellow-clad protesters filled both sides of the six-lane corridor, waving homemade signs and wearing cardboard crowns, symbols of defiance against what they call "authoritarian behavior" in Washington, D.C.

Throughout the morning, car horns blared in support. Music, like The Beatles’ "Revolution," played through speakers along the street as protesters chanted and waved to passing vehicles.

Meanwhile, another demonstration took place at the Estero Parkway overpass, where organizers estimated 450 people attended. About 3,000 protesters also gathered outside the Collier County Courthouse in Naples.

Organizers said the turnout reflected growing frustration among residents who view the administration as undermining democratic norms and targeting vulnerable communities. The event was one of more than 80 "No Kings" protests held across Florida and among roughly 2,500 nationwide, the largest single-day mobilization since the movement began in June.

The slogan "America Has No Kings," which originated with national organizers over the summer, was adopted locally by members of Lee County’s chapter of the National Organization for Women (NOW). They described the protest as a stand against what they view as "lawlessness” and "fear-driven leadership.”

Why did Fort Myers residents turn out?

Participants said they joined the rally to show that democracy still belongs to the people, not any single leader. Organizers described the movement’s purpose as challenging what they see as authoritarian behavior from the White House. "America has no kings, and the power belongs to the people," the group's website reads.

Many cited recent policies as factors, including immigration enforcement measures, restrictions on press freedom and concerns about healthcare access and voting rights.

River Jablu, 67, of Lee County, said she came out to stand against "fascism,” "lies,” and the actions of immigration enforcement. Wearing a colorful party hat and a yellow shirt, she described the demonstration as peaceful and community-minded.

Donna Windle, a Lee County resident and daughter of a World War II veteran, had a sign referencing her father.

"My dad didn't fight Nazis for this,” she said, tearing up. Windle added that she refuses to be silent out of fear: "If you’re afraid, they win.”

Robbie Maris-Rodriguez and his partner, Alex Maris-Rodriguez, both Lee County residents, said they attended because they worry about civil rights and immigration enforcement. Robbie led chants through a megaphone as Alex waved a flag beside him.

"Fighting for democracy, honestly, that’s what we’re doing," Alex said. "Practicing our constitutional rights to protest [an] authoritarian, dictator, fascist leader right now in this country who is going against everything that we stand for.”

He added, "I’ve never lived in this country where I’ve been afraid that I might get kidnapped off the street and put into a modern-day concentration camp, but I am, because of how I look, how I sound, where I’m from.”

Robbie said the couple feared marriage equality could be overturned.

"We pushed up our wedding two years because we were fearful of the election last November,” he said. "There’s a real chance that the Supreme Court could overturn Obergefell and marriage equality. So what will happen to our marriage? I don’t know in Florida.”

Catherine Kennedy, 72, of Babcock Ranch, shared her growing concerns over recent federal actions.

"I’m very, very concerned about the illegality of just taking people off the street with no due process or blowing up boats in the Caribbean,” she said. "The lawlessness of this administration should be frightening for everybody in this country.”

Lee County, known for its conservative stronghold, has seen a gradual rise in visible activism in recent years. Protests over women's rights, free speech and immigration have drawn mixed but notable participation from across the political spectrum.

What do organizers say?

Local organizers with Lee County NOW, who helped coordinate the protest with other regional chapters, said the yellow shirts and purple paper clips worn by attendees were designed to convey positivity and unity. The paper clip, they explained, was a World War II-era symbol used by Norwegians to quietly resist Nazi occupation.

Nancy Terreri, one of the lead organizers, said turnout exceeded expectations.

"We were very worried back in June about what was happening, and now we’ve seen so much of our worries have actually come to reality,” Terreri said, citing recent immigration raids in Southwest Florida as an example.

Kathy Mayo, another organizer, said anger and fear have fueled mobilization across Florida.

"I think that’s a luxury we don’t have: to be afraid. Today’s the day to show up and be vocal, be visible, and don’t let fear guide you," she said. "The heavy hammer of our [Trump] administration has been fear, and we don't need to play into them. We're not here to scare anyone. We're just here to say, 'Hey, don't take our country.'”

Why do 'No Kings' protesters wear yellow?

The organizers chose yellow to help present a unified front, colorful visuals, and to align themselves with similar pro-democracy movements in Hong Kong, South Korea and Eastern Ukraine. They said supporters had been asking for a simple, shared way to stand out and show unity.

"For generations, people around the world have used color to show collective strength in the face of oppression," the No Kings website says. "Our movement is no different.

"Yellow is our shared signal, bright, bold and impossible to ignore, a reminder that America's power belongs to our people, not to kings."

What are Florida laws on protests?

Protesting is protected in the United States by the First Amendment provided streets and government buildings are not blocked, but Florida also restricts protests within 500 feet of a residence, cemetery, funeral home, house of worship, or other location when a funeral or burial has just occurred, will occur soon, or is occurring.

Florida also comes down hard on anything perceived as rioting, with penalties against anyone involved in the protest where it occurred.

And, as of this year, Florida has the HALO Law which requires everyone to move 25 feet away from a first responder, including law enforcement, if asked to. The law is intended to protect first responders but critics worry that it will prevent anyone from shooting video or pictures of ICE arrests or police brutality.

The 'No Kings' website tells participants not to bring any weapons, to always act in accordance with local laws, and de-escalate any potential confrontation with law enforcement or anti-protesters.

More than 80 'No Kings' protests in Florida Oct. 18

According to the 'No Kings' website, Saturday protests were planned in at least 81 Florida cities:

• Apalachicola: Market St and Avenue E, 10 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. ET
• Atlantic Beach: Private event, sign up for details, 11:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. ET
• Bartow: Intersection of Van Fleet & Broadway, 801 N Broadway Ave., 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. ET
• Boca Raton: 201 W Palmetto Park Road, 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. ET
• Bradenton: 5584 Cortez Road W, 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. ET
• Brooksville / Spring Hill: State Route 50 & Mariner Blvd., 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. ET
• Casselberry: 4453 S US Hwy 17-92, 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. ET
• Clearwater: Duke Energy Trail Overpass, 2605 Enterprise Rd E, 9 – 10 a.m. ET
• Clearwater/North Pinellas: Gulf to Bay & Park Place Blvd., 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. ET
• Clermont: 685 W Montrose Street, 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. ET
• Cocoa: U.S. Route 1 & Florida 520, 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. ET
• Coral Springs: West Sample Road & North University Drive, 9:30 – 11:30 a.m. ET
• Davenport: Posner Village, Posner Blvd., 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. ET
• Daytona Beach: Daytona Beach City Hall, 301 S Ridgewood Ave., 9:30 – 11:30 a.m. ET
• Defuniak Springs: Lake yard by the duck spot, 1226 Circle Drive, 12 – 2 p.m. CT
• DeLand: Downtown DeLand - Corners of Woodland & New York, 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. ET
• Dunnellon: Private event, sign up for details, 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. ET
• Englewood: East Dearborn Street & North Indiana Ave., 9 – 10:30 a.m. ET
• Fernandina Beach: Private event, sign up for details, 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. ET
• Florida City: Florida City City Hall, 404 W Palm Drive, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. ET
• Fort Lauderdale:
  • Freedom Corner, 3200 N Federal Hwy, 10 – 11:30 a.m. ET
  • Fort Lauderdale Beach, Sunrise Boulevard & Jimmy Buffett Memorial Highway (A1A), 12 – 5 p.m. ET
• Fort Myers:
  • I-75 Estero Parkway Overpass, 1500 Estero Pkwy, 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. ET
  • Private event, sign up for details, 8:30 – 11 a.m. ET
• Fort Pierce: Walgreens, 2592 S Jenkins Road, 9 a.m. – 2 p.m. ET
• Fort Walton Beach: Fort Walton Beach Landing Park, 139 Brooks St SE, 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. CT
• Gainesville: Cora Roberson Park, 600 SW 6th Street, 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. ET
• Gulfport: Gulfport Casino, 5500 Shore Blvd S, 10:30 a.m. – 12 p.m. ET
• Hollywood: Hollywood Young Circle, 1 N Young Circle, 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. ET
• Inverness: Old Citrus County Courthouse, 1 Courthouse Square, 9 – 11 a.m. ET
• Jacksonville
  • Northside Caravan: Private event, sign up for details, 12 – 2:30 p.m. ET
  • Friendship Fountain March to Duval County Courthouse: 1015 Museum Circle, 2 – 5 p.m. ET
  • Riverside Car Caravan: Private event, sign up for details
  • Mandarin Caravan: Private event, sign up for details, 12 – 2:15 p.m. ET
• Key Largo: Murray Nelson Government Center, 102050 Overseas Hwy, 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. ET
• Key West: Bayview Park, 1320 Truman Ave., 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. ET
• Lake City: Olustee Park, 169 N Marion Ave., 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. ET
• Lake Mary: 1525 International Pkwy., near Cory Mills Office on 46A & International Parkway, 10 a.m. – 12 pm. ET
• Lake Worth Beach: Lake Worth Beach City Hall, 7 N Dixie Hwy, 10 – 11:30 a.m. ET
• Lakeland: Freedom Park, 300 N Florida Ave., 1 – 3 p.m. ET
• Largo: Largo Central Park, 101 Central Park Drive, 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. ET
• Leesburg: 9501 US-441, 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. ET
• Live Oak: Private event, sign up for details, 10 – 11:30 a.m. ET
• Manatee: UTC Area, south side of University Parkway in front of Target parking lot, 101 N Cattlemen Road, 9 – 11 a.m. ET
• Marathon: Sombrero Beach Road & Overseas Hwy, 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. ET
• Melbourne/Palm Bay: Palm Bay Road & Babcock Street, 11 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. ET
• Miami: 301 Biscayne Blvd., 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. ET
• Mount Dora: North Donnelly Street, Hwy. 441, 9:30 – 11:30 a.m. ET
• Naples: Collier County Courthouse, 3315 Tamiami Trail E, 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. ET
• New Smyrna Beach: Private event, sign up for details, 9 – 11 a.m. ET
• Ocala: Ocala Downtown Square, 9 – 11 a.m. ET
• Orange City: Corners of Saxon Blvd. & Enterprise Road, 897 Saxon Blvd., 1 – 3 p.m. ET
• Orange Park: 2297 Kingsley Ave., 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. ET
• Orlando: Orlando City Hall, 400 S Orange Ave., 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. ET
• Ormond Beach: Foot of the Granada Bridge (west side), Beach Street & West Granada Blvd, 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. ET
• Palatka: Reid Street & Memorial Parkway, on the bridge and along Reid Street, 10 – 11:30 a.m. ET
• Palm Beach Gardens: PGA Boulevard & Campus Drive, 3188 PGA Blvd., 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. ET
• Palm Coast: Old Kings Road & Palm Coast Parkway Northeast Route 100 and Belle Terre Parkway, 11 a.m. – 12 p.m. ET
• Panama City: Hathaway Bridge, 4600 Collegiate Drive, 4 – 6 p.m CT
• Pensacola: Airport Boulevard & North 9th Avenue, 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. CT
• Perry: U.S. 19 & U.S. 221, 12 – 4 p.m ET
• Plant City: Private event, sign up for details, 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. ET
• Poinciana: Solivita Blvd., 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. ET
• Ponte Vedra: U.S. Route 1 & Race Track Road, 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. ET
• Port Charlotte: U.S. 41 & Murdock Circle, 18500 Murdock Circle, 9 – 10 a.m. ET
• Port St. Lucie:
  • US Social Security Administration, 6810 U.S. Route 1, 2 – 4 p.m. ET
  • MIDFLORIDA Credit Union Event Center, 9221 SE Civic Center Place, 12 – 2 p.m. ET
• Riverview: 11111 Bloomingdale Ave., 2 – 4 p.m. ET
• Sanibel Island: Grassy area in front of Tahitian Gardens, 1975 Periwinkle Way, 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. ET
• Sarasota: Payne Park, 2010 Adams Lane, 9 a.m. – 12 p.m. ET
• Sebastian: Riverview Park, Co Road 512, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. ET
• Sebring: U.S. 27 & Sebring Drive, 9:30 – 11:30 a.m. ET
• Sopchoppy: 30 Rose Street, 12 – 3 p.m. ET
• St. Augustine: Castillo de San Marcos Nation Monument, 11 San Marco Ave., 9 – 11 a.m. ET
• St Petersburg: Tyrone Square, 6901 22nd Ave N, 9:30 – 11 a.m. ET
• Starke: Corner of 301 and 100, 205 W Madison Street, 12 – 2 p.m. ET
• Stuart: U.S. Route 1 & Florida 76, 2:30 – 4:30 p.m. ET
• Sun City Center: Private event, sign up for details, 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. ET
• Tallahassee: 400 S Monroe Street, 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. ET
• Tampa: Tampa City Hall, E Kennedy Blvd., 4 – 7 p.m. ET
• The Villages:
  • North: 820 Old Camp Road, Morse Blvd. between Old Mill Run & Stillwater Trail, next to the multi-modal path, Lake Sumter Landing, 10 – 11:30 a.m. ET
  • South (Wildwood): 5497 Marsh Bend Trail, 10 – 11:30 a.m. ET
• Trinity: 3240 Little Road (Chili's), 12 – 2 p.m. ET
• Venice: Michael Biehl Park, 100 Tampa Ave W, corner of Tampa Ave. & US-41, 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. ET
• Vero Beach: Florida 60 & 58th Ave., 12:30 – 1:30 p.m. ET
• Wesley Chapel: Private event, sign up for details
• West Palm Beach: Private event, sign up for details, 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. ET
• Zephyrhills: Alice Hall Community Center, 38116 5th Ave., 9:30 – 11:30 a.m. ET

Check the 'No Kings' website for the latest list.

What's next?

Organizers said the movement will continue beyond Saturday’s demonstrations, with future rallies and voter engagement efforts planned ahead of the 2026 midterm elections.

Locally, some participants vowed to sustain momentum through continued advocacy, voter outreach and community organizing efforts.

"We are really revved up to go out and knock on some doors, specifically in our neighborhood, let them know that we're here and we are fighting for change and representation in Washington," the Maris-Rodriguezes both said.

The 'No Kings' organization is holding a virtual meeting Tuesday, Oct. 21, to "come together, celebrate what we accomplished, and learn about what’s next."

Contributing: C. A. Bridges, USA TODAY Network-Florida

Mickenzie Hannon is a watchdog reporter for The News-Press and Naples Daily News, covering Collier and Lee counties. Contact her at 239-435-3423 or[email protected].