Thousands Attend No Kings Protests In Several Cities Throughout Tampa

Bonisiwe Shabane

-Dec 31, 2025, 2:21 AM

thousands attend no kings protests in several cities throughout tampa

FOX 13's Jennifer Kveglis talked with protesters who say 'No Kings Day' is a day of defiance as they plan to take action against authoritarianism. TAMPA - Between 2,000 and 3,000 people were in Downtown Tampa to join in the nationwide "No Kings Day" protests. Organizers of the protests say it's a day of defiance as they plan to take action against authoritarianism. Saturday coincided with Trump's 79th birthday and a military parade celebrating the U.S. Army’s 250th anniversary. The group lined both sides of East Kennedy Blvd, outside Tampa City Hall, with banners, signs, and flags with anti-Trump administration messaging.

Drivers and cyclists traveled down the street with flags and signs too. FLORIDA — In our team coverage, Tampa Bay 28's Mary O'Connell, Keely McCormick, and Erik Waxler spoke with community members and covered the "No Kings" protest throughout Tampa Bay. Thousands of people filled streets across the Tampa Bay region Saturday as part of a nationwide wave of demonstrations known as the “No Kings” protests. This movement, organizers say, is aimed at calling out what they describe as authoritarian policies by President Donald Trump. In Tampa, hundreds of people gathered near Tampa City Hall, holding signs and honking horns. Tampa Bay 28 Reporter Mary O'Connell asked every person she met what was important to them as they rallied downtown, with issues ranging from immigration to the economy and healthcare.

“Personally, I would like a lot less of the over-aggressive policing," said Chris Howard. "I’m not real big on the snatching people up off the street. It’s not what we do in America.” Protesters started gathering early in areas around the Tampa Bay region, eager to be part of a nationwide day of "No Kings" demonstrations against the direction of the country under President Donald Trump. Hundreds gathered in Sarasota's Payne Park at 9 a.m. holding homemade signs with phrases like "This is what democracy looks like." Some dressed in inflatable frog and unicorn costumes — a nod to protesters in Portland, Oregon who started wearing costumes to battle...

More than a dozen "No Kings" protests took place around the region, part of more than 2,600 scheduled around the country in cities large and small. While the earlier protests this year — against Elon Musk's cuts in spring, then to counter Trump's military parade in June — drew crowds, organizers say this one is building a more unified opposition... Top Democrats such as Senate Leader Chuck Schumer and Independent Sen. Bernie Sanders are joining in what organizers view as an antidote to Trump's actions, from the administration's clampdown on free speech to its military-style immigration raids. In Sarasota, there were speakers, music and a jovial atmosphere among the protesters. To stream 10 Tampa Bay on your phone, you need the 10 Tampa Bay app.

Example video title will go here for this video Example video title will go here for this video TAMPA, Fla. — People across the country gathered Saturday for "No Kings" demonstrations — including in the Tampa Bay area. The national demonstrations were reportedly orchestrated by the 50501 Movement, with organizers calling it a protest against "authoritarian power grabs." TAMPA — More than 10,000 people filled Downtown Tampa to protest Donald Trump in the “No Kings” demonstration on Saturday.

The Tampa protest, held outside City Hall, was among the largest in Florida. Large crowds also filled the streets in St. Petersburg and Largo, waving American flags and holding signs denouncing Trump’s authoritarian actions. In addition to the major gatherings, hundreds of protesters could be seen in towns and suburbs across the region, including Gulfport, Brandon, Clearwater, and Temple Terrace. Organizers described the coordinated action as a show of resistance to a growing threat to American democracy. “No Kings” protests were held nationwide on June 14, the president’s birthday, which demonstrators used to highlight concerns about political violence, suppression of dissent, and the erosion of constitutional norms.

Local law enforcement reported no major incidents, despite Governor DeSantis’s attempts to foreshadow violence leading up to the protests.

Thousands Attend No Kings Protests In Several Cities Throughout Tampa

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