700 in Homer join nationwide ‘No Kings’ protest

The sun shone bright in a clear blue sky over more than 700 Kenai Peninsula residents gathered Saturday afternoon at the intersection of Sterling Highway and Lake Street in Homer for the second “No Kings” protest to occur this year.

Homer’s protest, organized by Homer Women of Action, coincided with demonstrations that took place in more than 20 other communities across Alaska, according to MarchAgainst.org, including Kenai, Soldotna, Seward, Anchorage, Wasilla, Valdez, Talkeetna, Sitka, Juneau, Ketchikan, Port Alexander, Petersburg, North Pole, Fairbanks, Nome, McCarthy, Kotzebue, Kodiak, Healy, Haines, Gustavus, Girdwood, Dillingham and Bethel.

Homer Women of Action reported the final count of demonstrators was 772.

Millions more across the U.S. also took to the streets in over 2,600 demonstrations which expressed support for upholding civil rights, governmental accountability and American democracy and protested recent actions by the Trump administration. Demonstrations were also held internationally.

In Homer, multiple signs carried by protesters championed truth and First Amendment rights to free speech and a free press, while others decried Trump as a dictator and called for upholding due process and the rule of law.

When asked if there was a specific issue that drove her to join Saturday’s protest, local resident Marie Herdegen said there were “so many.”

“‘No Kings’ encompasses a lot,” she said, adding that one thing she was particularly concerned about was the deployment of the National Guard in several U.S. cities.

Garret Brooks, who was voted Mr. Homer in 2023, said that he came out to support his community and people’s right to free speech.

Despite the reason for the mass turnout, those gathered in Homer maintained a largely positive attitude. Music played from speakers set up on the grassy knoll in front of McDonald’s, and several demonstrators showed their creativity in their signs and displays, even carrying puppets or donning inflatable costumes. Some also brought their dogs, and many greeted each other with a gladness that their friend or neighbor had shown up to participate.

The crowd was also met with support from the larger community, as dozens of cars passing through the intersections honked and both drivers and passengers waved or offered a thumbs-up in solidarity.

“We have to do this, because the government belongs to us,” Herdegen said.