Thousands across the Triangle on Saturday joined an even bigger number of millions across the nation to protest the Trump Administration in a second round of “No Kings” protests. 

“I want to be out for the younger generation to encourage them to fight what’s happening in the country right now,” said Wayne Stiles, an 84-year-old veteran who was at the Raleigh demonstrations with his adult son.

The demonstrations come amid a federal government shutdown and a congressional redistricting battle in North Carolina. Still people gathered by the thousands protesting the Trump administration’s immigration crackdown, national guard deployments and healthcare policies.

“A lot more lines have been crossed,” said Tracey Kepler, a protester in Apex. “I feel like we’re really in a perilous place.”

WRAL News was on the scene in Apex Saturday morning around 9 a.m., where people with signs lined the streets while cars passed honking their horns at the demonstrators.

Kepler said that she is a daughter of military service and is currently married to a veteran. She said she is patriotic and loves her country.

“I really feel like, you know, this is not what they fought for,” Kepler told WRAL News.

Apex Mayor Pro-Tempore Ed Gary told WRAL News the Apex Police Department did step in for presence at the protest. He said officers were close by to make sure the demonstrators were safe.

Protestors started filing in at the Cary, Hillsborough and Pittsboro demonstrations later in the morning, and by noon, thousands of demonstrators were seen gathering around Capital Boulevard in Raleigh.

Traffic was backed up for miles on Capital Boulevard as demonstrators encompassed both sides of the roadway. Organizers told WRAL News they chose this location over downtown Raleigh to catch more eyes. 

“The visibility is very limited since it’s in the center of downtown…there’s way more visibility here on Capital Boulevard,” said Xzavier, the organizer. 

Large crowds were seen chanting, holding signs, and some were dressed in costumes as cars drove by, honking either in agreement or disagreement. That visibility led to area traffic delays and criticism
from some top Republicans who called the demonstrations “anti-American.”

The North Carolina GOP responded to Saturday’s ‘No Kings’ protests, saying:

“Far-left radical Democrats shut down the federal government to brag at these events; they shut down the government to stop President Trump. Democrats must stop holding the government hostage at the expense of military service members, low-income families, and federal law enforcement.”

If you are at a protest and would like to send photos or videos in, please send them to WRAL Report It.   

‘No Kings’ returns to the nation

This weekend is the second chance to protest against President Donald Trump’s administrations policies and procedures. According to organizers, people will mobilize for a nationwide, nonviolent day of action to “defend democratic norms and reject authoritarianism.”

This weekend will be the third mass movement against the administration this year, and it comes amid an intensifying conflict between protestors and federal and local law enforcement nationwide.

There are about over 1,300 events planned nationwide, with at least nine in cities across the Triangle. The earliest protest planned will be in Apex at 9 a.m. There are even smaller communities within Triangle cities that are planning their own protests.

According to a tip sent into WRAL News, the Cambridge at Brier Creek, a retirement community in Raleigh, will reportedly conduct their own “No Kings” Day protest outside of their building. 

The tip said, “You’ll find 50-60 elderly people (some in wheelchairs, others with canes), along with some of their relatives. They are gathering to express their right of free speech, right to assemble, and right to oppose the policies of the current administration.”

The “No Kings” movement first made headlines in June 2025, when protests stretched across the Triangle and from coast-to-coast with signs, speeches and rallies around immigration, human rights and activism. Participants ranged from age 6 to 92, but were united by a common thread.

The organizer’s website stated, “In June, we did what many claimed was impossible: peacefully mobilized millions of people to take to the streets and declare with one voice: America has No Kings. And it mattered. The world saw the power of the people.”

It continued, “Our peaceful movement is only getting bigger and bigger. “NO KINGS” is more than just a slogan; it is the foundation our nation was built upon. Born in the streets, shouted by millions, carried on posters and chants, it echoes from city blocks to rural town squares, uniting people across this country to fight dictatorship together.”

At the national level, GOP leaders call the protests and rallygoers themselves “communists” and “Marxists.” They say Democratic leaders are beholden to the far-left flank and willing to keep the government shut down to appease those liberal forces.

“I encourage you to watch — we call it the Hate America rally — that will happen Saturday,” said House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La.

“Let’s see who shows up for that,” Johnson said, listing groups including “antifa types,” people who “hate capitalism” and “Marxists in full display.”

The organizers on social media and their website emphasize that protestors remain peaceful throughout the weekend. 

In a statement released Friday, Attorney General Jeff Jackson reminded North Carolinians about the importance of peaceful protests as the state joins the nationwide protests set for Saturday. 

  Peaceful protest is one of the most important rights we have as Americans. It’s how people make their voices heard and stand up for what they believe in. I encourage everyone who chooses to demonstrate to do so peacefully and to look out for one another’s safety. Protesting peacefully honors both the cause and the Constitution. Peaceful protest strengthens our democracy; violence undermines it.  Attorney General Jeff Jackson

“No Kings” demonstrations are organized by a coalition of more than 200 groups, including 50501, Indivisible, American Civil Liberties Union, American Federation of Teachers, Social Security Works and many others.