Source: James Short.
Large crowds filled Montgomery County during Saturday’s “No Kings” rally, as more than 3,000 protests took place throughout the nation.
Kelly Walker, co-leader of Indivisible’s Montgomery County PA & Friends chapter, recalled that around 1,800 people participated in a previous protest in October 2025. Walker said she’s expected around 2,500 people to protest against President Donald Trump and his administration’s policies at Saturday’s rally on the courthouse steps in Norristown.
“We need to give people a place to gather, and to be able to use their voice,” Walker told MediaNews Group.
Locally, residents gathered in Hatboro at the intersection of York Road and Lehman Avenue to make their voices heard.
Walker said preparations efforts began back in the fall as Walker and her fellow co-organizers worked to secure permits in early 2026. Local protests coincided with planned protests in cities and towns nationwide, including a large scale demonstration in Philadelphia.
“Trump wants to rule over us as a tyrant. But this is America, and power belongs to the people, not to wannabe kings or their billionaire cronies,” read a post on the “No Kings” website.
A series of protests occurred on Thursday throughout Montgomery County, in Ambler, Collegeville, Eagleville, and Lansdale, leading up to Saturday’s event in Norristown. Suburban protests were also scheduled Saturday in several other localities, including Lansdale, Harleysville and Pottstown.
Six groups affiliated with Indivisible endeavored to put on the suburban demonstration in the Montgomery County seat. Along with Montgomery County PA & Friends, activists from Jenkintown, Lower Merion, Narberth, and Upper Merion townships will be represented. Another demonstration in mid-June 2025 brought people out in droves.
Montgomery County Commissioners’ Chairwoman Jamila Winder joined in. Winder has observed “working families are struggling” when it comes to the rising cost of living, with financial obstacles housing and utility costs hitting household budgets.
“Not only have we been challenged with the racist rhetoric coming out of Washington, but families are struggling,” Winder said, underscoring how as elected officials, “we have a responsibility to deliver on our promises to the people, and I think this administration is failing in that.”
Winder said she aimed to use her time on the courthouse steps to exhibit how “Montgomery county is different. That we represent all communities” and “protect the values that so many friends and neighbors hold dear.”
When asked about the upcoming protest, Montgomery County Republican Committee Chairwoman Liz Ferry told MediaNews Group that “at a time when our nation is at war against a true authoritarian regime, we need to come together to support our troops.”
Winder emphasized that “regardless of party, people have the right to assemble and protest,” as she stressed safety remains of paramount importance in a turbulent political climate.
“We can disagree on our politics, on the issues, but we need to do it in a way that’s productive,” Winder said. “I’m glad that people are getting together to make their voices heard, but I want them to be safe.”
Photos courtesy of James Short.
