Carroll County sponsors ‘No Kings’ rally III

By Timothy Cox

For Westminster/Baltimore PATCH online.com

For the third time in less than a year, thousands of Carroll County residents formed throngs on both sides of South Center Street – ironically, adjacent to the Carroll County Government Complex.

Westminster resident and banker, Dave Hogue, 52 and his elementary school teacher wife, Jen Hogue, 53, joined the large group carrying anti-Donald Trump and anti-ICE signage during the nationally-recognized ‘No Kings’ demonstration on Saturday afternoon, March 28, 2026.

Mrs. Hogue said their reasons for attending the rally was, “to support change – we need an administration change,” she said, adding that “we need rights for everyone and the rule of law.”

Organizers Cheryl Steinbacher and Sandra Loats, both of the League of Women Voters – Carroll County, agreed the most recent crowd was larger than in June and October of last year.

“There were also a significantly larger number of cars honking on our behalf,” said Steinbacher, adding that she appreciated that the rally was without drama and very peaceful.

Bill Fisher, 73, joined his wife Louise Fisher, 73, to peacefully protest the current Presidential administration.

“I don’t trust anything our President tells us. He has no respect for human life – and he’s an embarrassment to our nation,” said Mr. Fisher. Though both are individually retired professionals, they’re now proud livestock and dairy farmers. The grandparents recently celebrated their 50^th wedding anniversary on Feb. 21.

Emmie Goldstein, 15, joined her mother Lindsay Goldstein, 44, at the rally. The Eldersburg residents drove to Westminster (Carroll County’s county seat) to express their dissatisfaction with current federal government policy.

“Now, we’re studying about Russia and communism at my high school,” said Emmie – a sophomore at Liberty High School. “Their policies and actions were very close to what’s happening in our country right now. I don’t like how we’re treating immigrants (of Spanish origins). My generation should be better than what’s happening today,” she said.

Speaking of immigrants, Jessica Hill, 46 and Rachel Hall, 40, represented the Carroll County Immigrant Rights Collective.

Hill said she is adamant about her negative opinion of Donald Trump.

“I want this administration gone. We need a fresh, new start – someone who supports kindness and dignity,” she added.

Hall’s views were just as strong toward the president.

“Fascism is way outta control and we have to stop this before it gets worse. And ICE is the new SS (Secret State) – the Gestapo,” she added.

Dayna Bergman, 45, of Westminster – said she too attended the rally with hopes on making changes from within.

The candidate for Maryland’s 5^th District House of Delegates said she’s hopeful to help institute positive changes as a Democratic candidate. The Democratic primary election is set for June 23, 2026.

For Andrew Thomas, a 79-year-old veteran who was among the crowds who rallied in Hagerstown, it was his third protest — of the day, after stops in Charlestown and Shepardstown, West Virginia, earlier in the day.

“I hate the way the president acts,” Thomas said, when asked what compelled him to show up. “I just look at him and listen to him and go, ‘Oh my God, how can these people support an imbecile like that?’”

Thomas was one of the thousands who showed up at the dozens of No Kings rallies scattered across Maryland, one of millions who turned out across the country.

[Editor’s Note: One piece of this report was created in Hagerstown, Maryland.]

(About the Author: Timothy Cox is a Carroll County resident and freelance journalist in the DMV. He also writes for papers in Pittsburgh, Atlanta, Canton, Ohio, Baltimore and Washington, DC. He can be reached at teacawks2@gmail.com).