GAYLORD — More than 300 people are estimated to have attended Gaylord’s version of the “No Kings” nationwide protest against President Donald Trump and his administration on Saturday, June 14.

Participants gathered at the Gateway Trailhead located at the railroad crossing before fanning out onto Main Street downtown. Two Gaylord police officers estimated the crowd at over 300 and noted there were no incidents as of 12:30 p.m.

Ron Martus of Johannesburg carried a sign that said “He is the Joker Not King.” He said that “all the nonsense that is happening in this country right now” was his motivation for attending the rally.

Ron Martus of Johannesburg holds a sign during the “No Kings” protest in Gaylord on Saturday, June 14, 2025.

“I say joker on the sign because he is like the Joker in the Batman (movies) — arrogant, powerful and destructive,” Martus said. “Someone has got to stop him and it’s the citizens that will have to get up there and tell their senators and congressmen to do their job.”

Martus said the parade in Washington, D.C. honoring the Army’s 250th anniversary — held the same day as Trump’s 79th birthday on June 14 — is “obscene.”

“He keeps talking about saving money and he is going to use the $100 million that it will cost (for the parade) just for his own glory,” Martus said.

Allie Morrill of Grayling carries a sign during the "No Kings" protest in Gaylord on Saturday, June 14, 2025.

Allie Morrill of Grayling carries a sign during the “No Kings” protest in Gaylord on Saturday, June 14, 2025.

Allie Morrill of Grayling was carrying a sign that said, “When tyranny becomes law, rebellion becomes duty. Thomas Jefferson.”

“I have seen a lot of hateful things being said and done by Trump and it is not what many people voted for. Even Republicans and Democrats are here,” she said. “Awareness needs to be brought finally and something needs to be done.”

Morrill was wearing a garment covering her head and most of her face.

“I am a little worried for my safety here. I have been to one protest before for Black Lives Matter. I have seen how aggressive it can get and I wanted to be safe rather than sorry,” she said.

Subscribe: Get unlimited access to our local coverage

In the November 2024 presidential election, Trump received 10,371 votes in Otsego County, while Democrat Kamala Harris received 4,740.

More than 1,800 events were scheduled across all 50 states as a collective stand against Trump’s policies and the recent military response to ICE protests in Los Angeles.

— Contact Paul Welitzkin at pwelitzkin@gaylordheraldtimes.com.

This article originally appeared on The Petoskey News-Review: Hundreds take part in ‘No Kings’ protest in Gaylord June 14, 2025

Share.
Exit mobile version