From Newark to Watkins Glen, residents across the Finger Lakes joined a nationwide protest on Saturday calling out what organizers describe as the Trump administration’s authoritarian overreach and attacks on democracy.
In Newark, more than 675 people gathered for a peaceful rally organized by No Kings Wayne County, a grassroots coalition of local advocacy and faith groups. At the same time, Indivisible Seneca hosted a roadside protest in Ovid, where nearly 200 people lined Route 96 with signs quoting the Constitution, the Pledge of Allegiance, and founding-era leaders like Thomas Paine.
In Schuyler County, more than 500 people gathered in front of the courthouse in Watkins Glen for a “No Kings Day” rally organized by Hector Schuyler Indivisible. Demonstrators filled both sides of Franklin Street, cheering as cars passed and honking in support. Many came in inflatable costumes — including dinosaurs, a flamingo, a chicken, and a polar bear — while others carried signs demanding government accountability and the protection of civil rights.
Local organizers said the atmosphere was “peaceful and joyful,” with musicians playing protest songs as participants danced and sang along. “Today, we sent a clear message that the American people will not be silenced, and we will not be taken for granted,” said a spokesperson for Hector Schuyler Indivisible. “This was a powerful display of what democracy truly looks like: people, united, refusing to be ruled by a would-be king.”
The events were part of the second national No Kings Day — a coordinated effort that saw more than 2,600 local demonstrations across the country, up from the first in June. Organizers said the protests aimed to defend democratic values, oppose authoritarian tendencies, and show solidarity across communities.
“Our tax dollars are being spent on sending the National Guard to terrorize our cities,” said Danielle Cady, an organizer from Walworth who helped lead the Newark rally. “The priorities of the Trump Administration are not in line with working people and families.”
Amber Taber of Marion, who helped launch the first No Kings event in Wayne County, said the movement is about shared values. “We thrive when we work together,” she said. “I’m tired of watching my neighbors suffer.”
In Ovid, signs echoed similar frustrations. Some read “Liberty & Justice for All,” while others quoted the First Amendment. Indivisible Seneca emphasized the importance of rural voices in defending democracy and said the movement is not about partisanship, but about unity and accountability.
“Division is a tool of authoritarians, not supporters of democracy,” the group said in a statement.
All three rallies — in Newark, Ovid, and Watkins Glen — were peaceful, with no reports of incidents. Organizers noted that no participants were paid, describing the protests as a spontaneous show of civic engagement by ordinary residents across the region.
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