No Kings Protests Across the US
Alex Orozco, a Collin County resident, said she is terrified by the thought of coming to an empty home from college one day and not seeing her parents again. The 20-year-old University of Houston junior said that fear spurred her to take action Saturday morning, as she joined thousands of demonstrators at the “No Kings” protest in McKinney.
“A lot of people who are immigrants can’t speak their voice because they’re scared they’re going to be deported or judged for it,” Orozco said. “I want to be the voice for my parents.”
Orozco, who attended the protest with several of her friends, held a sign written in Spanish that translated to: “My parents are not criminals just because they wanted to give me a better life.”
Thousands of people in Collin and Denton counties joined the “No Kings” protests on Saturday as part of a nationwide movement in response to President Donald Trump’s military parade in Washington, D.C., planned for the same day. Large protests were also held in Dallas and Fort Worth.
Morning Demonstrations in Frisco
Shortly after 9:30 a.m., people stood along a quarter-mile stretch on FM 423 in west Frisco, cheering as some cars drove past honking their horns, with some motorists lowering their windows to wave at demonstrators.
About 1,500 people attended the protest, according to Frisco police. Multiple families brought their children and people from all age groups took part in the protest, which remained peaceful throughout.
More than a half dozen patrol cars could be seen cruising the mostly retail area. Several Frisco police officers were stationed at different points at the protest. No arrests or citations were reported in connection with the Saturday protest, police said.
Many protesters held and waved the American flag, at one point chanting, “Hey-hey ho-ho Donald Trump has got to go” to the backdrop of applause and beats from a make-shift drum.
“Democracy doesn’t fear protest, dictatorships do,” one sign read. “No Kings, just a clown with wi-fi,” another one stated.
Protesters’ Messages
Liz Parke, 71, from Mesquite, attended the protest in Frisco with her partner Diane Dycus, 64.
“I read a thing the other day that said courage is contagious,” Parke said. “We sit at home and we complain and we don’t do anything, so we felt like it was time to shut up or do something.”
Parke said they are trying to make a point that there are people who are not in agreement with what is happening in the country.
“I’m a proud American, but right now I’m not so proud,” Parke said.
She said the only way to change things is by letting the public know there are people who are not happy with what is happening.
Parke said deployment of the National Guard in protests is “unnecessary and I think it’s a waste of money.”
Thousands Gather for McKinney Protest
Speaking with The Dallas Morning News at the “No Kings” protest in McKinney, Hannah Abercrombie, who leads Collin County Democratic Party’s protest subcommittee, said organizers of the event urged participants to refrain from antagonizing law enforcement or engaging with counter-protesters.
The McKinney protest was held along the U.S. Highway 75 service road, just north of the U.S. 380 intersection. About 3,000 attended the demonstration in McKinney, Abercrombie said.
“Trump vilifies anyone who disagrees with him, so we have to be responsible and keep things constructive and peaceful to not feed into his narrative,” Abercrombie said.
While tempers in the crowd remained cool at the Saturday demonstration, the hot weather — temperatures in the high 80s — caused discomfort for some participants. McKinney emergency personnel were called to the site of the protest on at least two separate occasions to give aid to people experiencing heat-related medical issues.
Future Protests
Abercrombie said organizers are considering protests earlier in the day to keep people safe from the Texas summer heat.
Since February, the Collin County Democratic Party has helped organize multiple rallies in partnership with other political organizations, including members of the 50501 movement.
In April, more than 700 people attended a protest at the same location in McKinney. Hundreds of demonstrators also participated in a protest in Allen in May.
“We’re trying to increase civil engagement to get more voters out in 2026,” Abercrombie said.
Conclusion
The “No Kings” protests across the US, including those in Collin and Denton counties, demonstrate the public’s dissatisfaction with the current state of the country. These protests aim to promote peaceful and constructive dialogue, encouraging citizens to engage in the democratic process and make their voices heard.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What were the “No Kings” protests about?
A: The protests were a response to President Donald Trump’s military parade in Washington, D.C. and a call for citizens to express their dissatisfaction with the current state of the country.
Q: Where were the protests held?
A: Protests were held in various locations across the US, including Collin and Denton counties in Texas, as well as in Dallas and Fort Worth.
Q: How many people attended the protests?
A: Thousands of people attended the protests, with approximately 1,500 people in Frisco and 3,000 in McKinney.
Q: Were the protests peaceful?
A: Yes, the protests were largely peaceful, with no arrests or citations reported in connection with the Saturday protests in Frisco.
