BY STEVEN STIEFEL
FOR THE OBSERVER
AUBURN — Hundreds of people gathered June 14 at Toomer’s Corner as part of the nationwide “No Kings” protest organized by the 50501 Movement in opposition to President Donald Trump’s policies. The demonstration coincided with a military parade held in Washington D.C., to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the U.S. Army. Trump’s 79th birthday was also on June 14.
An estimated 700 people gathered on Samford Lawn along College Street holding signs with messages opposing what they described as authoritarianism. Other signs voiced support for immigration rights and criticized federal budget proposals they said would cut essential services while benefiting billionaires through tax breaks.
The protest came days after Trump warned that demonstrations would be “met with very heavy force” and called for accelerated deportations in cities led by Democrats.
Kristin Himmant, a member of the steering committee for the Auburn/Opelika chapter of Indivisible, said the rally was a response to what she described as executive overreach.
“We are here today because President Donald Trump and his administration have gone too far in their authoritarian power grab,” she said. “We defeated the despot in 1776, and we’re going to do it again in 2025. There are no kings in America.”
Himmant said the large turnout showed that even residents in conservative-leaning Alabama oppose Trump’s approach.
“I’ve never seen a protest this large in the past 10 years,” she said. “It’s unbelievable. So many Americans — even here — feel like we do.”
During the event, a few vehicles with Trump flags passed by, revving engines in apparent disruption attempts. Others drove past honking in support. Attendees reported no major incidents, and a few people who showed up wearing Trump/Vance apparel were not confronted.
“Power resides with the people,” Himmant said. “He’s not a king and isn’t operating under a mandate. He has to answer to the law, just like everyone else.”
Speaker Led McGinnis thanked Auburn police for their support and said the protest remained peaceful.
“The police have been absolutely supportive and told us there were no problems,” he said. “People expect this kind of turnout in liberal cities, but we turned out 700 in deep-red Alabama. That’s fantastic. We’re planning another event in August or September.”
Local educator Trisha Shanteau voiced concerns about government censorship and due process.
“I’ve been real concerned since February when the government started censoring information from the Centers for Disease Control,” she said. “I teach science and use those websites often. This administration doesn’t want educated people, because we see what’s going wrong.”
Shanteau criticized what she said were violations of civil liberties.
“You can’t disappear people off the street,” she said. “You can’t deny due process. There’s no legitimate reason to deport someone to a country they’re not from. We’re sending people to foreign prisons with no record of it happening.”
Rudy McCumsey held a sign urging Trump not to cut Medicare, citing concern for his parents.
“Enough is enough,” he said. “I’m watching constitutional rights and due process being violated. You’ve got to start at the top with accountability.”
“I may not be personally affected, but people I know are,” said protester Annie Moore. “I want to be here for them.”
Ashley Reyna said she was protesting the situation in the Middle East.
“Fascism is happening in Palestine and Israel,” she said. “Netanyahu thinks he’s a king as much as Trump does.”
Another protester, who identified himself only as Ash, said the political moment felt historic.
“Regardless of what side someone is on, we’re living through history,” he said. “Whatever you do right now shows what side you stand on. I live every day scared, to be honest.”
A protester identifying himself as Mack criticized the role of money in politics.
“We’ve never seen money buy influence like this,” he said. “Elon Musk cutting funding for the VA and Department of Education — it’s never been so blatant. We’ve clearly become an oligarchy.”
“To me, being an American means pursuing opportunity,” said rally attendee Priya Sidamni. “My father came here so I could dream and be safe. That’s not what’s being practiced anymore. I’m here because I’m a Christian and I love this country. If God came here today, He would oppose what our government is doing.”
