As the clock ticked closer to 1 p.m. on Saturday, March 28, hundreds of people began to fill in the lawns and sidewalks around the Licking County Court House for the third national No Kings protest.
This event is part of a nationwide day of No Kings protests, spanning over 3,000 locations in 16 countries – including 25 around central Ohio. Previous protests were held on June 14 and Oct. 18 last year.
The No Kings movement began as a way for people to protest what they saw as growing signs of authoritarianism within the U.S. government. The first “No Kings” day protest in June coincided with President Donald Trump’s birthday celebration and military parade in D.C. – which some No Kings organizers called his attempted “coronation.”
During the March protests, though, attendees said they were protesting much more. Protesters in Newark said they attended the march to make a stand against ICE, the war in Iran and attacks on freedom of speech and civil rights.
Brandy and Finn Morehouse hand out information about two pieces of legislation working their way through the Ohio Legislature. 
People began gathering at the Licking County Courthouse early on Saturday. Many brought instruments to play and songs to sing. 
Bob Hoover attended the protest on Saturday, March 28, to “support democracy and freedom.” 
Attendees were invited to sign petitions supporting new amendments for equal rights and the right to marry in the Ohio constitution. 
Nancy (seated) and Harvey Hallenberger attended Saturday’s protest. 
Hundreds of people gathered for the third No Kings Day protest in Newark. 
Throughout the event on Saturday, attendees had the opportunity to sign petitions and check their voter registration status ahead of the May 5 primary election. 
Joe (left) and Karen Hickman (right) attended the protest on Saturday to advocate for a better world for their children and grandchildren. 
Hundreds of people gathered for the third No Kings Day protest in Newark. 
Hundreds of people gathered for the third No Kings Day protest in Newark. 
Hundreds of people gathered for the third No Kings Day protest in Newark. 
Julie Mulroy (seated) and Marsha Crawford helped attendees register to vote and to check their registration status throughout the protest. 
Towards the end of the protest on Saturday, attendees held up signs depicting the “signs of fascism.” 
Towards the end of the protest on Saturday, attendees held up signs depicting the “signs of fascism.” 
Throughout the event on Saturday, attendees had the opportunity to sign petitions and check their voter registration status ahead of the May 5 primary election.
Licking County Board of Elections Director Tess Wigginton assisted at the voter registration table alongside Linda Smolak and Julie Mulroy, encouraging people to register to vote and assisting already-registered voters in checking their registration. They provided forms for people to fill out for an absentee ballot as well as to register to vote.
“It’s critical that everyone gets out there [and votes],” Smolak said. “We live in a rural county and so a lot of elections are decided by a relatively small number of votes. This is not a place where election results mean one person wins by 20,000 votes.”
Smolak says that they want to make sure “everyone’s voices get heard.”
Nearby, other organizations like the Supporting Pride Across Rural Communities (SPARC) – formerly the Newark Ohio Pride Coalition – collected signatures and educated attendees about several pieces of legislation working their way through the Ohio legislature.
Two bills in particular – the “Affirming Families First Act” and the “Indecent Exposure Modernization Act,” – were of particular concern to SPARC.
Brandy Morehouse, the president of SPARC, said, “The government is trying to tell us what we can wear, what parents are allowed to expose their kids to in terms of entertainment and culture. They’re making choices for us and it’s not ok.”
For many attendees, this was their third No Kings Day protest.
Bob Hoover, a veteran and retired juvenile and probate judge, came out to “support democracy and freedom.” Hoover said that “while my wife and I love our country, we do not love our government.”
Carol Philipps was protesting today, along with her dog Lucy. “I am here to use my voice as long as I got one.” She adds,” Lucy doesn’t like Trump either, she just can’t carry a sign.”
Joe Wingard was camping nearby and decided to come to the Newark protest.
“You still feel like there’s hope for our country when you see this,” he says.
Grant Dyar showed up with an upside down US flag – a signal of dire distress.
“I don’t agree with what’s going on and they are throwing away hundreds of years of progress,” he said. “We are in distress and we need help.”
While hundreds of people marched during Saturday’s protest, a few counterprotesters also engaged, though volunteers kept the at times confrontational discussions at bay.
Ian Billig was one of the volunteers who served as a barrier between a counter protest and protesters of the No Kings event. “I want people to be safe and I want to make sure everyone and everything is ok.”
As he walked between a counter protest and the march around the courthouse, Billig wished the counter protesters a safe drive home.
People continued marching around the square as drivers drove by, honking in support.
Ellen Hansen writes for TheReportingProject.org, the nonprofit news organization of Denison University’s Journalism program, which is supported by generous donations from readers. Sign up for The Reporting Project newsletter here.