Leavenworth joins nationwide ‘No Kings’ rallies with strong turnout

The Leavenworth “No Kings” rally on Saturday, March 28 brought a lot of sentiments into the public square, but none more than a message of what people thought America means.

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At 1 p.m., the scheduled start time for the rally, there were already several hundred people lining the sidewalk in front of City Hall.

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Several clever signs took the Trump administration and Congress to task for both overreach and ineffectiveness.

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Demographics among participants ran from young to old, composed entirely of residents of Leavenworth and nearby communities.

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There were dozens of American flags visible at the rally, including some affixed to signs, some hung upside-down in the sign of “distress,” and many more just being waved on poles.

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The rejection of hate was a prominent theme in Leavenworth on Saturday.

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A fire truck passes and blows its horn for the crowd as they line U.S. Highway 2 on March 28.

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Tables were set up for literature and to recruit people for post-rally actions and activities.

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Many signs used a play on President Trump’s signature “Make America Great Again” slogan, changing it to different values than simply greatness.

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Many signs carried messages that were critical of the government’s handling of the infamous Epstein Files, calling for prosecutions.

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Corruption and government spending on war were themes that resurfaced in many signs and banners during the rally.

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The south side of the road was also lined with protesters, matching the crowd in front of City Hall and the Library.

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Crowns, handmade signs, and people of all ages filled the sidewalks of Leavenworth on Saturday, March 28 for the “No Kings” rally.

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Due process, investigation of the Epstein Files, and opposition to ICE’s deportation methods all came up in the signage at the rally.

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A few rallygoers brought chairs, ready to stay for the entirety of the planned 2-hour demonstration.

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Three generations of women stood together in this photo taken on the south side of U.S. Highway 2 on Saturday, March 28.

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Posted Sunday, March 29, 2026 6:53 pm

By ANDREW SIMPSON
Ward Media Staff Reporter

LEAVENWORTH — Several hundred people gathered in Leavenworth on Saturday, March 28, for a “No Kings” rally organized by Upper Valley Indivisible and NCW Channel Z, joining coordinated demonstrations held in communities across the country.

The rally, scheduled to begin at 1 p.m., had already drawn an estimated 300 participants by the time it started, with attendees lining both sides of U.S. Highway 2 in front of City Hall and extending roughly two city blocks in either direction.

Demonstrators stood shoulder to shoulder along sidewalks, holding signs and engaging with passing traffic. Vehicles slowed as they moved through town, with most drivers honking in support; only occasional negative reactions were heard.

The crowd reflected a wide range of ages, from teenagers to older residents, with individuals, couples and families participating.

Sign messages covered a broad spectrum of national political concerns. Many expressed opposition to President Donald Trump or to Congress specifically, while others focused on themes including war and militarism, government spending, civic responsibility and calls for kindness, peace and unity. Numerous signs referenced the Epstein Files, alongside other pointed and critical messages.

American flags were visible throughout the crowd, as well as handmade posters and other displays.

Participants also shared reports of similar rallies drawing large crowds in other cities, though attendance figures elsewhere were not immediately confirmed.

The demonstration remained peaceful, with participants staying along sidewalks and no visible disruption beyond slowed traffic through the area, and even that wasn’t much different than normal for a Saturday, other than people deliberately slowing down to honk and wave.

The Leavenworth gathering was part of a loosely organized series of “No Kings” rallies held nationwide, a protest theme centered on opposition to perceived authoritarianism and fascism in national leadership.

As in other communities in North Central Washington, Leavenworth organizers reported a higher turnout for this rally than for previous gatherings.

Andrew Simpson: 509-433-7626 or andrew@ward.media