ASHEVILLE – Several thousand people gathered at Martin Luther King Jr. Park in downtown as residents from across Western North Carolina kicked off a day of “No Kings” protests that are set to last into the evening of June 14.
While officially planned in the park from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., protestors marched to Pack Square Park around 11 a.m., closing sections of College and Charlotte streets along the way. By that time, roughly 3,000 people had gathered in protest, Indivisible organizer Alyssa Morgan told the Citizen Times. By around 1 p.m., the crowd had grown to around 6,000.
Residents came from across the Southeast to make their voices heard. Some draped themselves in the American flag, while many held signs protesting the Trump administration. Some wore costumes, while others threw water balloons at a cardboard cut-out of Trump.
With a sign encouraging residents to speak up against injustices, Asheville-native Shawn Penland, 67, told the Citizen Times he was protesting to protect democracy.
“Trump’s core is purely business. No protection for the democracy. No education for the kids,” Penland said.
“People have to use their voice. You have to speak up,” Penland said.
Protesters gather at Martin Luther King Jr. Park, June 14, 2025, for the “No Kings” protest in response to the Trump administration’s plans to hold a large-scale military parade Saturday, an event that will include vintage warplanes, thousands of soldiers, horses and more.
Roughly 2,000 No Kings protests are occurring nationwide, framing the protests as a “national day of peaceful protest” against President Donald Trump’s administration.
The protests coincide with a military parade to celebrate the U.S. Army’s 250th anniversary, on the same day as Trump’s 79th birthday. The “No Kings” protests were also planned as Los Angeles remains in a state of unease after Trump called in the National Guard and Marines to respond to protests against federal immigration enforcement. The Citizen Times witnessed no police presence during the first hours of the Asheville protest.
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Protesters gather at Martin Luther King Jr. Park, June 14, 2025, for the “No Kings” protest in response to the Trump administration’s plans to hold a large-scale military parade Saturday, an event that will include vintage warplanes, thousands of soldiers, horses and more.
On June 13, Gov. Josh Stein issued a statement advocating for protests in North Carolina to remain peaceful.
“My office has been in contact with relevant state agencies as well as state and local law enforcement both to ensure public safety and to protect North Carolinians’ freedom to peacefully protest,” Stein said. “Department of Public Safety Secretary Buffaloe also remains in coordination with local law enforcement agencies across the state to ensure they have any support they may need.”
“At a time of heightened tensions, let us work together both to protect our rights and freedoms and to keep everyone safe,” Stein said.
In a bright red dress evoking “The Handmaid’s Tale,” Asheville resident Kristina Horton, 49, said she wore the costume because she felt real life parroted the 1985 novel that depicted an dystopian world run under a theocratic state.
“It feels like that’s happening right now,” Horton told the Citizen Times.
“It seems like things are rapidly getting worse, especially for immigrants,” she said. Nearby, two protestors dressed as aliens passed out fliers stating: “American patriots rebel against kings. Always have. Always will.”
Protesters gather at Martin Luther King Jr. Park, June 14, 2025, for the “No Kings” protest in response to the Trump administration’s plans to hold a large-scale military parade Saturday, an event that will include vintage warplanes, thousands of soldiers, horses and more.
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Others looked to address local politicians. Tim Ressmeyer, 64, held a sign stating: “Chuck! NC-11. Listen to all of your constituents!” He hoped U.S. Rep. Chuck Edwards — whose district includes much of Western North Carolina — would initiate checks and balances against the Trump administration.
“I feel like Congressman Edwards doesn’t always listen to those people who might disagree with him,” Ressmeyer said.
“Congress has a responsibility, along with the judiciary and the executive branch, to hold each other in check,” he continued, stating that he felt congress has just “parroted” what Trump wants.
More protests are planned throughout the day, with additional “No Kings” events occurring from 1:30-3:30 p.m. in Pack Square Park and another planned for 5 p.m., Morgan said.
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Will Hofmann is the Growth and Development Reporter for the Asheville Citizen Times, part of the USA Today Network. Got a tip? Email him at [email protected] or message will_hofmann.01 on Signal.
This article originally appeared on Asheville Citizen Times: ‘No Kings’ Asheville draws thousands. What to know
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