Hopkinton organizers hosted a protest Saturday at the Town Common that joined others across the country for the latest No Kings Day of Action. The protest was one of 3,300 events worldwide drawing an estimated 8 million people, according to No Kings organizers.
Demonstrators stood along Main Street with signs, flags and costumes. The protest aimed to address what the No Kings organization describes as increased authoritarianism from President Donald Trump. Signs at Saturday’s event addressed issues such as the war with Iran, ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) actions, economic issues and voting rights.
Some individuals at the protest estimated the crowd to be smaller than the rally held in October, which was around 500 people. A volunteer said the size of the crowd might have been impacted by Boston’s No Kings event. That rally is estimated to have drawn around 180,000 people to the Boston Common.
Protestors line the side of Town Common facing Main Street. PHOTO/NICK SCHOFIELD
A protestor in an inflatable dinosaur costume waves an American flag. PHOTO/NICK SCHOFIELD
Some demonstrators hold signs criticizing the ongoing war with Iran. PHOTO/NICK SCHOFIELD
The crowd extends past the Boston Marathon start line. PHOTO/NICK SCHOFIELD
A protestor holds up a flag depicting the earth. PHOTO/NICK SCHOFIELD
A panoramic shot depicts the scope of Saturday’s protest at Town Common. PHOTO/NICK SCHOFIELD
Demonstrators wave as a coach bus passes by. PHOTO/NICK SCHOFIELD
An individual in an inflatable raccoon costume waves American flags by the doughboy statue next to the Town Common. PHOTO/NICK SCHOFIELD
Individuals head toward downtown following the end of the protest. PHOTO/NICK SCHOFIELD
It worked. There are still no kings! 😂
But still he tries and you evidently support him
Says the party who handed Harris the nomination with no vote😂. Took democracy right out of your parties hands👏. Pretty sure Obama launched a military attack against Libya and Syria with no congressional approval for the same reasons Trump is in Iran. But let’s just conveniently choose to forget that. And lastly, I would say the utter disgraceful fraud going on in Minnesota in California overseen by the Democrats is very much kinglike behavior. Just a few observations from an independent who todays Democratic Party has pushed further to the right.
Maybe instead of wasting their times standing there, they can go clean out parks or something. How cool to stand with Iranian killer refime support signs, etc.
Wasting time? Tell it to MLK Jr and the civil rights movement. How do you know we don’t also do the things you mentioned? Giving an hour or 2 of your time to fight for democracy and human rights isn’t that much in the big scheme of.things. How much time do you spend “ cleaning parks” on your days off, or are you writing this from your couch?
Wow you sit on your phone doing nothing but criticize others for doing something, Typical.
Thank you to all the trained and coordinated peacekeepers who helped people across the street at crosswalks and offered water and chairs where needed. The peacekeepers were also trained to de-escalate conflict, although none arose.
Thank you also to the Hopkinton police officers who kept an eye out for everyone’s safety.
The entire event was safe due to your efforts.
Fantastic turnout. Couldn’t be prouder of our town. Folks from other towns joined us as well. Thank you Amy Groves for making sure everyone stayed safe, hydrated and enjoying a beautiful day.
Thank you to all who came, lovely group of people, fun time. So great to be of 8+million people nationwide celebrating our freedoms
Goodbye Elvis. Goodbye B.B. King. Goodbye King-sized beds. Goodbye Larry King. Goodbye ML King. So many Kings.