10-19-2025 8:24pm

‘No Kings’ Rallies Draw Thousands Across Long Island in Defiance of Trump

Samantha Hespos Editor

From Mineola to Patchogue, thousands of Long Islanders poured into streets and town squares Saturday as part of the nationwide “No Kings” demonstrations — a sprawling, grassroots protest aimed at what participants call an alarming slide toward authoritarianism under former President Donald Trump.

The rallies, part of a larger national wave stretching across all 50 states, brought out Americans of every age and background carrying homemade signs with slogans like “Democracy, Not Dynasty” and “No One Rules Above Us.”

A Peaceful but Passionate Display

On Long Island, gatherings unfolded throughout the day — in Huntington, Mineola, Riverhead, and along the boardwalk in Long Beach. Many demonstrators arrived in small groups of friends or families, waving flags and chanting in rhythm with drummers and bullhorns.

Despite the intensity of the message, the protests remained peaceful. Police reported no major incidents, and several local departments even noted strong cooperation between rally organizers and law enforcement.

“This isn’t about hate — it’s about a warning,” said Marisa Kaplan of Glen Cove, one of the volunteer organizers. “Our democracy only works if no one man considers himself above it. That’s what this movement means: no kings, not here.”

A National Movement with Local Roots

While the rallies were organized under one banner, each region reflected its own anxieties. On Long Island, protesters focused heavily on the erosion of democratic norms and concerns about government overreach. Some referenced Trump’s recent statements on deploying federal forces and his tightening grip on party leadership as reasons they felt compelled to act.

Others said they were motivated by personal fears — about the safety of immigrants, the rising cost of health care, and the tone of division shaping communities once considered politically moderate.

“I voted Republican most of my life,” said retired teacher Bill D’Amico of Ronkonkoma. “But I never voted for a king. We have presidents, not rulers. That’s the point.”

Counter-Reactions and Political Tension

Not everyone agreed with the demonstrations. Small groups of Trump supporters appeared along portions of Hempstead Turnpike waving flags and shouting counter-slogans. Their presence remained largely symbolic, with police keeping both sides separated.

Nationally, conservative commentators dismissed the rallies as partisan theater, arguing that critics exaggerate Trump’s influence. But protesters on Long Island said their message goes deeper than politics.

“This is about the balance of power,” said college student Alex Rivera from Stony Brook. “You don’t have to be left or right to see that the Constitution is supposed to stop anyone from acting like a monarch.”

The Message and What Comes Next

The phrase “No Kings” — simple yet striking — has become a rallying cry for those seeking to defend democratic institutions and the rule of law. Organizers say the October 18 demonstrations were only the beginning of a coordinated effort to register new voters and keep civic pressure high heading into 2026.

Local chapters plan to hold monthly community forums across Nassau and Suffolk Counties to encourage voter education, civic engagement, and discussion about what democratic accountability means in today’s climate.

As the sun set over Mineola, marchers stood together holding candles, chanting the same words that echoed nationwide: “No kings. No crowns. Only the people.”

For many, that simple phrase captured the heart of the movement — a reminder that in a democracy, no leader, past or present, reigns above the rest of us.