Protesters gathered across multiple locations in Athens, Madison and Greensboro as part of the nationwide “No Kings” protests on Saturday. Organized by a coalition of progressive activists for the third time as a national series, the protests opposed President Donald Trump and his policies, which the group believes undermine civil liberties. 

According to the No Kings website, over 3,300 demonstrations were planned in the U.S., with additional events held internationally. An estimated eight million people participated in the protests worldwide, according to CBS news.

Protests were held at ten locations across Georgia’s Congressional District 10, including downtown Athens at the Arch, Alps Road and Baxter Street and Prince Avenue. At Bishop Park, the group hosted protest art activities, a protest march and a “Democracy Fair” with activities and multiple local progressive organizations present. 

“We wanted a way for people’s voices to be heard, so that they could express their feelings about what the Trump administration is doing to the country,” Barb Burt, a co-leader of Indivisible Georgia 10, said. “They want the administration to understand that they are upset.”  

Protesters across Athens expressed their disapproval of the Trump administration with signs bearing phrases like “We The People” and “Trump Must Go.” 

“I am ticked off at everything that’s happening in our country that could make me cry,” Cheryl Caudell, a local hairdresser and participant, said. “I’m out here trying to defend our democracy.” 

Caudell described the feeling of being a part of nationwide demonstrations as “fantastic.”

“I really hope we can help this world to move and tilt differently than it is now,” Caudell said. 

Other protesters created a large frog puppet in a pot reading “Don’t Get Cooked by Complacency” to make a statement. 

“I’ve been a puppeteer for a very long time, and I felt like when I saw the protest, we needed large puppets,” Claire Ritzler, the teaching artist who created the puppet, said. “We decided to get together a couple of other people and build this beautiful frog so that we would have a bigger presence.” 

Ritzler said that she hopes the protests will change citizens’ minds and hearts, especially when they see the protesters’ attitudes. 

“I anticipate that the numbers will be larger than ever, and that people will begin to see that and see the spirit that’s here,” Ritzler said. “People are not depressed, they’re not unhappy, they’re joyously protesting.”

In addition to protesters, volunteers were also present at the protest locations. Caitlin Sweeney, a volunteer safety marshal, said she was present to make sure people could protest safely. 

“There’s a lot of corruption in our national government, and a lot of people being harmed by it,” Sweeney said. “I came out as a volunteer to make sure people could safely protest and make their voices heard.”

In response to the protest on Alps Road and Baxter Street, counter protesters gathered on the other side of the street, holding signs that said “Killed by Illegals: Laken Riley and Rachel Morin” and a large flag reading “Jesus is King.”

Most of the counter protesters declined to comment. One counter protester claimed that they support immigration, but believe the protesters are “missing the point” by being critics of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, adding that they believe immigration should be legal, but that stronger border enforcement is necessary to prevent crime. 

Protesters also gathered at Bishop Park for a protest march, and the “Democracy Fair.”

Burt said that today’s protests served a broader purpose: to increase civic engagement. 

“We want people to be engaged in the civic running of where they live, voting, serving on boards being an active member of the community,” Burt said. “This is a great, fun Saturday, but what really matters is what people do on Monday morning.”