Organizers estimated 1,300 demonstrators gathered in Bloomington for the “No Kings” nationwide day of protest, wielding hand-drawn signs, costumes, bubbles and instruments on the Monroe County Courthouse lawn.
Bloomington protesters joined over 2,600 demonstrations across the country as part of the No Kings movement, aimed to unite people to “fight dictatorship together.” The first No Kings protest in Bloomington took place on June 14, President Donald Trump’s birthday, as part of a nationwide day of protests that drew an estimated 2 to 4.8 million people across the country.
The local chapter of activist organization "50501” arranged the protest. Lori Stumpner, a local activist and one of the organizers for the event, said it took weeks of planning and an “army of volunteers” to pull together Saturday’s rally.
“Once the No Kings 2.0 was announced, we started recruiting people immediately to see if we had enough volunteers to do it,” Stumpner said. “Every day it seems like somebody comes up with a new idea of something to do, or a new speaker to get or a new activity.”
Other organizations involved included the Bloomington chapters of the Sierra Club, Exodus Refugee Immigration, Care Not Cages, Democratic Socialists of America and Mobility Aids Lending Library. The organizations provided crown-making booths, information tables and free zines — small, independently-produced magazines.
During the event, protesters listened to speakers including Bryce Greene, a spokesperson from the IU Divestment Coalition, and Amy Huffman Oliver, a Democratic candidate for Indiana State Representative in District 62. 
Greene said the protest brought together activists with different focuses, from immigrant rights to reproductive rights, all united in opposition to what he described as government oppression.
He said some attendees traveled from deeply conservative parts of Indiana, where no local protests were organized, showing that opposition to the administration exists even in Republican-dominated areas.
“A lot of people are willing to show up and drive great lengths to go and oppose Trump and to oppose all this authoritarianism,” Greene said. “And like I said during my speech, this isn’t just about Trump; there are issues that go deeper.”
Greene said he hopes elected officials recognize the depth of frustration among constituents.
“The people here are simply fed up with it,” Greene said. “If they continue to go the way that they are, not only are they destroying America, but there will be a hell of a lot of people who are going to vigorously oppose it.”
Between speeches, musicians performed for the crowd, playing a central role in the demonstration.
“I was inspired to bring my voice,” singer and drummer Angela Gabriel said shortly before leading the crowd in an original song. “If we want a successful social justice movement, we have to sing.”
Organizers emphasized keeping the protest peaceful, with event organizer Sandy Washburn reminding protesters “not to provoke conflict with anyone here to distract us.”
The protest indeed remained peaceful, with a constant parade of cars driving by the square honking in support. Other drivers yelled at or gestured with their middle fingers at protesters.
At the end of the event, hundreds of protesters marched down Kirkwood Avenue, parting the cream and crimson sea of Homecoming celebrators. They made their way toward Dunn Meadow, chanting “No ICE, No KKK, No fascist U.S.A.” Shortly after marching through Dunn Meadow, the protest disbanded.
Appearing like a politically-themed costume party, many protesters wore crowns and inflatable animal suits, including frog costumes that became a viral non-violent protest symbol after federal agents pepper-sprayed a Portland protester wearing one during an anti-U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement protest earlier this month. No Kings organizers encouraged protesters to wear yellow because of its bold shade and a historical connection with peaceful protest.
Protesters Matt and Christy Smith chose to wear banana suits because Matt said, “what’s going on is absolutely bananas.”
“All the ICE raids, the non-criminal immigrants here just being abducted is really disheartening,” Matt Smith said.
Protesters came out for a variety of reasons, including Michael Hamburger, a former professor in IU’s Earth and Atmospheric Sciences Department. As a scientist and long-term Indiana resident, Hamburger said he’s witnessed a steady decline in democratic norms.
“I really have deep faith in our democratic system and our institutions in which our country has been based,” Hamburger said. “I’ve seen them taken apart piece by piece over the last eight years and very rapidly over the last year.”
Hamburger said he came to add his voice to what he sees as a defense of democratic values.
“I just want to be part of a visible opposition movement that is representing the best parts of American democracy in face of an increasingly hostile and autocratic administration,” Hamburger said. “As citizens, we need to stand up and be seen and heard.”
Editor’s note: Bryce Greene previously worked as an opinion writer for the Indiana Daily Student.
