Hundreds urged to ‘say no to fascism’ at ‘No Kings’ rally in Gulfport
A peaceful “No Kings” protest unfolded Saturday against the Trump administration in Gulfport, with law enforcement agencies keeping an unobtrusive but watchful eye on the crowd of 500 or more in front of the federal courthouse downtown.
Many in the crowd clustered under the shade of live oaks on a steamy day that felt like 97 degrees. Others stood in the glaring sun, facing 15th Street to display their anti-Trump administration signs to passing motorists, some of whom honked their horns in support.
Eight speakers decried what they view as a fascist bent in the Trump administration, citing mass deportations, an April executive order on increased power for law enforcement, the undermining of labor rights and targeting of the transgender community.
Gulfport is one of seven cities in Mississippi — and more than 2,000 across the nation — to hold ‘No Kings’ protests countering a Saturday military parade in Washington on Trump’s 79th birthday and Flag Day. Trump was unable to have the military parade he wanted during his first term. Saturday’s parade also marks the Army’s 250th anniversary.
‘No Kings’ speakers decry tyranny
Lea Campbell of the Mississippi Rising Coalition told the crowd that the protests are a way “to say no to fascism in our streets and to demand dignity, safety, liberty and justice for all.” Campbell said people of color, the LGBTQ community, the poor, unhoused people and workers across the country “are not our enemy.”
“I know that fascism and white nationalism are the enemy of our democracy,” she said.
The protests come against the backdrop of ICE arrests of immigrants, which have roiled the city of Los Angeles, with federal troops in the streets. While several law enforcement agencies patrolled downtown streets during Gulfport’s protest, their approach was low-key, and officers were not sent into the crowd.
A few Trump supporters stood across the street from the rally. One of them, retired Seabee Robert Charles Hall Sr., held a “Don’t Tread on Me” flag and said he was carrying a Glock pistol. He said he brought the gun in case police needed help and would use it to defend anyone in the crowd if the protest turned violent.
Hall said a Mississippi state trooper and a Gulfport police officer had stopped to talk with him. At one point, Hall was chatting with one of the protesters.
Signs peppered the crowd:
- “When tyranny becomes law rebellion becomes duty”
- “I pledge allegiance to no king”
- “The only place ICE belongs is in a drink”
- “Make lying wrong again”
The Gulfport protest sponsors, operating under the umbrella of event organizer and host Mississippi Gulf Coast Mutual Aid Collective, used the protest as an opportunity to enlist support, members and donations.
Campbell told the crowd: “This is not a one-off deal, folks. This is a movement to stop fascism.”
When the speeches had ended, the crowd marched over an elevated walkway to Jones Park on the waterfront. Volunteers picked up and carried across the walkway white umbrellas with a letter on each one. They stopped near the bottom of the walkway and displayed the tops of the umbrella for motorists passing on the beach highway. The letters spelled out the words, “Power to People” and “MS fights fascism.”
This story was originally published June 14, 2025 at 12:32 PM.
