On Saturday, March 28, approximately over 300 Baltimoreans gathered at the intersection of North Charles Street and East University Parkway to join 7 million Americans across the nation who were protesting for “No Kings.” This is the third nationwide No Kings protest since the inaugural “day of defiance,” when President Trump’s 79th birthday celebration coincided with a national military parade on June 14th.
“Donald Trump has got to go!” was rallied by crowds along with the sound of drums. Several cars honked in support of the peaceful demonstration, with some drivers raising fists and waving American flags in solidarity.
According to No Kings, the movement was founded with the intent of reestablishing the foundation America was built upon: “Because this country does not belong to kings, dictators, or tyrants. It belongs to We the People — the people who care, who show up, and who fight for dignity, a life we can afford, and real opportunity. No Thrones. No Crowns. No Kings.”
Kathy Alexander is the media coordinator of the Charles Village “No Kings” Protest, alongside her husband Karl Alexander, John Dewey Professor Emeritus in the Sociology department and the host of this protest.
In an interview with The News-Letter, the couple spoke about the planning behind the event.
“[Charles Village] is the highest density neighborhood in the city. And you've got three university campuses, Hopkins, Loyola, Notre Dame [within the area]. So, this was the spot today,” said Kathy Alexander.
Karl Alexander then nudged Kathy Alexander, stating she did most of the work as media coordinator for the event.
“We just tried to put flyers out, publicized it on various progressive calendars, talked about it to various folks... A lot of work went into it. And Kathy here is our media person, so she did a lot of heavy lifting. But it's paying off,” smiled Karl Alexander.
Community members waved signs such as “Democracy dies in silence,” “What happened to lower prices day?” and “NO ICE / NO WAR / NO KINGS,” highlighting the wide array of grievances Americans hold against the current administration.
A trans and queer Baltimore resident, Erys, explained how they attended the demonstration to stand in solidarity with the city that has protected them in an interview with The News-Letter.
“I'm trans, they're actively trying to kill people who identify as trans. I am very queer. I fell in love with this city a few years ago, and ended up moving out here,” said Erys. They then referenced the time that the President called Baltimore a “hellhole” during the August 2025 cabinet meeting. “I want to protect the city that has protected me,” Erys stated.
Not all residents who came to today’s demonstration specifically rallied against President Trump’s administration. For example, a married couple and members of the All-African People's Revolutionary Party, Chawki and Nancy, reside just outside of the City and brought a banner that read “Free Palestine” over a bloodied Palestinian flag. Nancy expressed the rationale behind their banner in an interview with The News-Letter.
“This is a No Kings rally, and we totally get that. But the problems in the world didn't start with Donald Trump. Every president in the United States from the first one up and through now has supported an oppression [which] manifests itself in different ways over the period of different time periods. So that's why we brought this sign up today. Within the context of imperialism [in the] United States, this is just one example of people who are suffering,” explained Nancy.
What does democracy look like to Charles Village? For people like Erys, it’s events like this where people stand up and make themselves heard.
“[Democracy is] actually having a choice and our government listening to us when we say what we want and what we need,” remarked Erys.
Mary Fissell, Inaugural J. Mario Molina Professor of the History of Medicine, gestured to the crowds when interviewed by The News-Letter on what democracy looks like to her.
“This! People out participating, people making their feelings known, not having billionaires decide everything,” said Fissell.
Fissell wore a sign with the phrase “Are you better off now?” to highlight the changes since President Trump took office.
“Are you better off than when Trump was elected, and I'd say, only if you're about a handful of millionaires are you better. You know, I'm lucky in that I'm middle class, but every time I go to the grocery store, I think about the people who barely afford anything anymore, and the knock on costs of the ridiculous war. We're going to be feeling that for decades – it’s terrible,” continued Fissell.
