In Photos: Faces from the ‘No Kings’ Protest

WASHINGTON — Over a hundred thousand demonstrators gathered near the National Mall to protest against the Trump administration as part of the No Kings movement on Saturday.

Some protesters told us why they attended the rally and what they are worried about.

Nadine Seiler, 60, Waldorf Md.

“I have been out here since Trump got into office the first time. Everybody needs to be in the streets, not just me, not the people who are here, everybody needs to be in the streets. We should have much more people here. I am perpetually disappointed with the participation of the American people. They don’t understand the gravity of what is happening. They don’t understand that once the regime seizes forward, there’s no mechanism in the American system for them to give it back. As an immigrant who has been here 38 years, who has been a citizen for probably 28 years, I am concerned about my status. I am concerned that they will find some nonsense to use against me and denaturalize me. Fascism does not come up, slap you in the face. It’s something that creeps piece by piece.”

Brenda Funes, 32

“So many things brought me here. But if I could really pinpoint down is the failure of our institutions to actually execute the checks and balances that are Founding Fathers left for us. I think it is unlawful that the president could not say whether or not it was his duty to defend the Constitution. I became an American citizen last year, after being in process for 26 years. I took an oath to defend the Constitution and I’m doing it and I am proud to do it. I want to show that Latinas love the United States for the opportunities that it has provided us. My parents brought me here to this country through the southern border illegally when I was four years old. Because of certain laws, I was able to apply for DACA, and I was able to apply for asylum, and I want those same protections that I was granted, for others.”

Tatyana Schum, 55

“We’re living in a world that I don’t recognize anymore. We’re slipping very, very quickly toward authoritarianism and our rights are being cut each day. Finding the job that I want has been a little harder than I would like. The economy has hit my household. Recently, we moved, and things have slowed down a little bit for our household, so I don’t know. It’s scary – not just for me. Our neighbors have lost their jobs. It’s tenuous. When I sit at home for too long and I see the news and think about what’s going on, it makes me feel isolated. But then when I come out and I see all of these people… it’s pretty amazing. I also have friends that say, ‘I don’t understand why all those white people are going out protesting.’ Um… because we can still. Those of us who feel like we can need to stand up for those of us who feel like they can’t. We’re all in this together.”

Claire Moore, and her son, Silas

“We want everyone to have what they need. And the current administration is a threat to our neighbors and a threat to beauty, light, and goodness in the world. We want to be present and say that’s not okay. I want to teach my son how to speak up for himself and for his neighbors. I think when we’re just on social media, it can be easy to think, believe a story. But when people come together and are present with each other, we actually can know each other. We can connect, we can listen and be together, and I think presence matters.”

Jennifer, 38, Arlington, Va.

“I feel like we are losing our democracy, and I am concerned about that, so I came out to feel solidarity with all the people who are angry about what’s happening. I would just say, I don’t need to be personally targeted by this administration to feel like he’s taking our country in the wrong direction. We’re losing the humanity of our country. We shouldn’t be treating civil servants, immigrants, people who contribute to this country [this way] – people who have contributed far more to this country than Donald Trump and his lackeys.”

Jordan Ziegler, 46

“Living around here, everything to do with the government affects everyone in the area. You walk down the street, you see National Guardsmen. Civilian life is different now. My life is not that different, actually, but you know it’s important to be here for those who are more affected. [The protest] is very energetic, huge and immense. Everyone is just in very high spirits.”

Phil Price, 76

“We’re slipping over the edge. I feel like that in a very strong way, I’m worried. I was out on the street with this flag earlier in the week and I mentioned to a Black guy who come up to me and I said, ‘I’ve got an age and color advantage over you.’ I said ‘I can get away with more s**t.’ I think people have to do what they can do.”