'Power To The People': Hundreds Join 'No Kings' Rallies Across MoCo

MONTGOMERY COUNTY, MD — Hundreds of residents took to the streets on Saturday to join the "No Kings" demonstrations taking place across the nation.

Protests were held in the Bethesda-Chevy Chase, Rockville and Silver Spring areas, among several other locations in the county.

Many stationed themselves along major roadways, holding signs that read "power to the people," "abolish ICE," and "no kings since 1776."

Rick, who participated in a No Kings rally near the Shady Grove Metro Station, told Patch that he showed up because "he had to."

He said the Donald Trump presidency marked "one of the worst" U.S. administrations to date.

"It's kind of like a cross between [presidents] Warren G. Harding and Andrew Jackson," Rick said. "Harding was unbelievably corrupt, and Jackson was disruptive — totally disruptive."

Trump's decision-making in the Oval Office, Rick said, will have a serious impact on the upcoming election cycle.

Throughout the day, people of all ages joined their local No Kings protests, of which over 20 were held in the county.

"We're here today because our country was not built around a Constitution with the idea that we're not going to have a king," Doug Jolley, an organizer for a Bethesda protest, told Patch.

"We're not going to have a monarchy, a dictator or a tyrant. And that's clearly the direction that the Trump regime is moving into. And so, we're here to protest that and say we want a government that obeys and defends, protects the Constitution and the rule of law."

He told Patch that people of all ages braved the chilly and windy weather to participate in the demonstrations.

"We see little kids out here. We see people in dragon costumes. And I met a lady down the street. She was 92-years-old," Jolley said. "People down here at the assisted living place, sitting in wheelchairs, holding signs."

"It just shows the depth of the commitment that people have to this. And I am so thankful they've showed up out here," he added.

Protest attendee Erin said that one demonstrator in particular was "bringing the vibes."

The demonstrator in question was a child who showed up in a winged, purple dragon costume.

"I just thought that it would be fun to, like, go outside. You know, like, no kings and, like, protest," the child told Patch.

How did he land on his protest outfit, you wonder?

"My dad told me to wear this outfit," he said. "Because it would, like, add to the environment ... like, ambiance and the atmosphere."

His dad was also in costume, holding a sign that read: "Only monarch we want."

Drawn in the center of his poster board was a Monarch butterfly.

Jared Solomon, a Maryland delegate who represents Montgomery County, told Patch that "what's amazing about this is it's not just folks who are opposed to the president. It's people who think what's going on is wrong and they want to do something about it."

Saturday's day of action marked the third iteration of the No Kings protests. The first two events were held in June and October of last year.

Related: Where Will 'No Kings' Protests Be In Montgomery Co.?

The demonstrations were held amid President Donald Trump's military actions against Iran and the growing fear of an enlarged global conflict, which has skyrocketed concerns about the state of the American economy and the administration's misuse of government powers.