Philadelphians took to the streets Saturday, Oct. 18, to take part in No Kings Day, a broad national movement that included an estimated 2,700 marches in nearly every major city across the country and drew attention from politicians on both sides of the aisle. It was one of the largest nationwide protests against the Trump administration since he took office in January.
In Philadelphia, protesters marched from City Hall down Market Street and ended the march with a rally in front of Independence Hall.
President Trump and his allies lambasted the protests, calling them “hate America rallies,” while several prominent national figures, such as Sen. Bernie Sanders and Sen. Elizabeth Warren, attended and spoke at marches across the country.
Pennsylvania representative Brandon Boyle kicked off the speeches, pushing back against the accusation that the rallies were “anti-American” and using strong language to defend the protesters.
“If you think one person shouldn’t have all of the power, if you think delivering health care to those who need it, if you think billionaires should pay their fair share, if you think all those things as I do, somehow you hate America,” Boyle said. “I have a word to describe that: bull—-.”
Boyle’s speech was followed by an appearance by Democratic Rep. from Maryland Jamie Raskin, who in recent years has emerged as one of Trump’s most vocal critics in Congress. This duo of speakers highlighted the amount of support gathered among the political establishment by the No Kings movement. This support from the political establishment was reflected in the attendees of the event.
Matt Dunphy, a Philadelphia resident, attended the protest dressed in 18th-century garb with a homemade sign reading, “Guard against impostures of pretended patriotism.” Dunphy was one of many who attended the rally in costume. Among the costumes were Elmo from the beloved TV series “Sesame Street,” several blow-up dinosaurs, frogs and various other animals. Speaker and organizer Maggie Bohara marched and gave her speech dressed like beloved Philadelphia Flyers mascot Gritty.
“This is the birthplace of democracy. We’ve got 250 years. Next year we celebrate the Declaration of Independence where we talk about being upset with the military being used against our citizens,” Dunphy said. “And well, this is the No Kings rally, I have the costume — I might as well wear it.”
The carnival-like atmosphere brought out was exhibited in the signage as well. Judy Wicks, a Philadelphia resident for more than 50 years, turned heads with her hand drawn poster of President Trump with his pants around his ankles engulfed in flames.
“One of the most outrageous things about Trump is that he’s a liar. Every single day he lies to the American people,” Wicks said. “So I made a sign that says liar liar pants on fire, and a drawing of Trump leaned over his pants down around his angles on fire, and his big butt showing.”
District attorney Larry Krasner also spoke at the event. His outspoken vocal stance has been in sharp contrast to Mayor Cherelle Parker’s silence on federal matters. Krasner’s stances and earlier held town halls to discuss the possibility of federal troops entering Philadelphia drew praise from attendees.
“I know our DA has told Trump to stay out of Philadelphia with his ICE goons,” Wicks said. “And that he’s not afraid of him and so on.”
As the speakers continued, the crowd thinned out marking the end of the No Kings protest in Philadelphia. Despite No Kings being a national movement, the rally was filled with the character of the city. Eagles, Phillies, Flyers and 76ers jerseys were seen throughout the crowd and chants of “E-A-G-L-E-S EAGLES!” were heard throughout the day. Nina Coffey, speaker and secretary treasurer of SEIU 668, exemplified this best when she signed off her speech.
“No one is going to hand us democracy. We have to demand it, we have to build it, and we will build it together,” Coffey said. “Go Birds.”
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