*An estimated 8,000 or more people lined both sides of Drake Road in Oshtemo for the No Kings protest on March 28, 2026.*
The massive turnout represented one of the largest protests in Kalamazoo County history, with demonstrators filling sidewalks from West Main Street to West KL Avenue on North Drake Road.
"An estimated 8,000 or more people lined the sides of Drake Road in Oshtemo for the No Kings protest on March 28, 2026."
The demonstration marked the third major wave of nationwide No Kings demonstrations since President Donald Trump took office in 2025, with organizers pushing for what they say could be the largest turnout yet.
Protesters Express Deep Frustration Over Iran War
While it appeared to be a smaller crowd than October's rally, the crowd standing by the road was just as passionate in its distaste for the current administration. Top issues included the Iran war, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), and the Jeffrey Epstein files.
"Today is my 75th birthday...," Barbara Morris said. "...and I can think of no better way than to express my love of the country, but my disapproval of what's going on."
Many protesters told reporters they disliked the president not only politically, but personally. Signs criticized immigration enforcement, the handling of the Epstein files, and the war in the Middle East.
Protesters themselves gave differing reasons why they came out on a cold and windy afternoon.
"If all of the money that we were spending on the war was put into our health care system instead, it would solve a lot of problems and help a lot of people," healthcare worker Dan McClain said.
"The connections of the powers that be, the abuse of women and immigrants, the collective slavery of capitalism," Valarie Bader said. "I'm kind of here for all of those things colliding."
Focus on Iran War One Month After Beginning
The Indivisible activist group once again brought hundreds of people, signs and honking cars, with the Iran war a main focus on its one-month anniversary.
"What's happening with Iran is not strategy," Sherri Masson of Indivisible Michigan said. "It's recklessness, it's chaos, it's leaders playing with human lives like they're disposable."
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Organizers held a press conference Tuesday morning to discuss why there will be a third round of protests.
Protesters are also speaking out against ICE occupation in major cities.
"We are united, in our position, to ICE," Audrey Bourriaud, founder of We the People Dissent, said. "This agency must be defunded immediately."
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ICE agents have been deployed to several U.S. airports as the Department of Homeland Security is closed during the partial government shutdown.
Political Engagement and Midterm Planning
State Rep. Julie Rogers (M - D- 41) spoke with protestors concerned about national voting legislation with the SAVE Act.
"Making sure that we uphold everyone's right to cast their ballot and cast their vote is top of mind for me," she said.
Indivisible Greater Kalamazoo collaborated with the organizing platform Mobilize to achieve the turnout. They say they're shifting their focus to the midterms and canvassing voter concerns in 2026.
One leader of Indivisible said she opposes the Iran conflict for what she calls unclear messaging, and hopes for a greater focus on domestic issues.
"Is it an operation? Is it a war?" Mutual Aid Coordinator Katie Tolhurst asked. "We've gone back and forth, we don't have consistent messaging."
Grassroots Organizations Drive Turnout
The protest drew from a coalition of groups including veterans organizations, teams promoting candidates running for office later this year, and local activist organizations.
Carol Anderson said that protesters have met there every Friday since March of last year, averaging 60-70 people, she estimates, with more than 400 on July 4.
"(Huizenga) has shown no interest in listening to those of us who oppose this administration – he simply ignores us. And so the basic principle of representation by our representatives is one that simply escapes him – he simply doesn't care," Anderson said.
"And so we want to convey to him, his staffers, and also you hear the honks of everybody driving by, we want to signal the other people that they're not the only ones who opposed congressman Huizenga's actions. And that's actually been the most rewarding part of it."
Visibility Brigade Adds to Protest Energy
The Kalamazoo Visibility Brigade is a local chapter of Visibility Brigade, a national organization, and takes over the pedestrian bridge on South Westnedge Avenue, or Lovers Lane over I-94, usually weekly since last March.
The Brigade members say their big-lettered signs are intended to be quick messages for drivers, part-information and part-inspiration. They brought one of their typical mass signs to the protest on Saturday.
"I protest wherever I can because I'm so pissed," said Visibility Brigade participant Mary Jo Henretty-Jornales, a 72-year-old former educator. "I grew up believing in the Constitution and our democracy and equality. There's so many more people involved – this is great to see, all the honking and all the signs and signs on cars, it's just amazing. It gives me so much hope for the future."
Growing Fear About Surveillance
There is also growing fear among some protesters that being too public could lead to trouble down the road. They point to the Trump administration's increasing use of surveillance tools to target people for deportation.
More and more, people have been reluctant to speak on record, have their picture taken, or use their names when approached by reporters over concerns they could wind up on a government watch list.
"Hope and joy come from our shared sense of purpose, of taking control of our destiny, of feeling like we are making a difference," said Church. "Standing among any size group of like-minded souls with a common goal is uplifting and affirming. In today's political climate, it's easy to feel isolated and afraid because you don't always know who to trust."
Anderson said organizers are aware that they need to remain vocal and visible because of those who feel they cannot stand up at these protests in person for fear of being targeted in the community.
"Those of us who have the freedom – for now – to stand up and resist, we can be a buffer," she said. "And we are happy to be that buffer."
Memorial Service Honors ICE Detention Deaths
John Loser, Jr., 46, a Comstock artist who prefers to go by Raven, created a series of portraits representing every person who is reported to have died while interacting with or being in the custody of ICE or CBP.
Portraits of the 44 people who have died in ICE/CBP detention in 2025 and 2026 were displayed at the protest, with each portrait representing a life lost to immigration detention.
At 11 a.m., organizers said IGK and Singing Resistance will be holding a memorial service for the 44 people who have died in ICE/CBP detention in 2025 and 2026, with portraits of the deceased created by Kalamazoo tattoo artist, Raven.
That service will be held at the northeast corner of South Drake Road and Arboretum Parkway.
Polling Shows Growing Opposition
Research by the Public Religion Research Institute released last week found 35 percent of Americans polled have a "favorable" view of Trump's immigration policies, down from 48 percent in March 2025; 61 percent have an "unfavorable" view.
A poll by The Economist and YouGov in early February found 50 percent of Americans think Trump is involved in Jeffrey Epstein's trafficking of minors and 52 percent think he's trying to cover up Epstein's alleged crimes.
A poll by Reuters and Ipsos conducted in mid-February found three-quarters of Americans think the government is hiding details about Epstein's alleged clients.
"Those murders, and his close involvement with a pedophile/sex trafficker was likely the tipping point for many people who had previously been uncommitted," said Church, a 79-year-old retired special education teacher. "With every new revelation, our anger grew. Now, he has murdered children in Iran, and is responsible for the deaths of the servicemen and women he chose to put in harm's way. With this war in the Middle East, we're all in harm's way."
Peacekeepers Maintain Non-Violence
Organizers are reminding attendees to remain on the sidewalks and avoid obstructing traffic. There will also be a community food drive, though bringing an item to donate to local food banks is not required.
"Ultimately, we share a goal of making the place we live, work, and play a great place to be, and these days, it really is not feeling that great under the current administration," said Leslie Zook, an organizer with Indivisible Greater Kalamazoo.
"Coming together the way we do for these protests feels more like a celebration of our democracy and shows this administration that we are willing to fight the oppression they continue to try and inflict on us."
Between the handmade signs, costumes, and driver honks of approval, organizers have curated an optimistic, almost cheerful vibe. They typically collect food donations, and this protest included groups of singers, art installations, and rehearsed dramatic performances.
The Venn diagram of interests included other organizations, from veterans groups to teams promoting candidates running for office later this year.
National organizers of Saturday's third "No Kings" protest estimated more than 8 million people attended more than 3,100 protests across the country on March 28.
The collection of national organizers said there were 500 more registered events and more than a million additional people than they saw for the previous protests last October.
Local Context: Weekly Protests Continue
There have been weekly protests outside of U.S. Rep. Bill Huizenga's Kalamazoo office, at Lovers Lane and Kilgore Road, chiding him for his support of Trump policies and his widely reported lack of direct communication with constituents.
"I protest wherever I can because I'm so pissed," said Visibility Brigade participant Mary Jo Henretty-Jornales. "I grew up believing in the Constitution and our democracy and equality. There's so many more people involved – this is great to see, all the honking and all the signs and signs on cars, it's just amazing. It gives me so much hope for the future."
A jogger runs by a line of protesters outside Rep. Bill Huizenga's office on Lovers Lane in Portage on March 27, 2026.
Carol Anderson said that protesters have met there every Friday since March of last year, averaging 60-70 people, she estimates, with more than 400 on July 4.
Community Impact
The protest covered the sidewalks once again on the west side of Kalamazoo, where it was high traffic and high volume on North Drake Road.
Top issues included the Iran war, ICE, and the Epstein files.
"The first No Kings protest was before the murders of Renee Good and Alex Pretti and before we knew the breadth and depth of Trump's involvement in the Epstein files," said Jeanne Church, referencing the two people killed by ICE in Minneapolis within three weeks of each other in January of this year.
"Those murders, and his close involvement with a pedophile/sex trafficker was likely the tipping point for many people who had previously been uncommitted," said Church. "With every new revelation, our anger grew. Now, he has murdered children in Iran, and is responsible for the deaths of the servicemen and women he chose to put in harm's way. With this war in the Middle East, we're all in harm's way."
Between the handmade signs, costumes, and driver honks of approval, organizers have curated an optimistic, almost cheerful vibe. They typically collect food donations, and this protest included groups of singers, art installations, and rehearsed dramatic performances.
"The first No Kings protest was before the murders of Renee Good and Alex Pretti and before we knew the breadth and depth of Trump's involvement in the Epstein files," said Jeanne Church, referencing the two people killed by ICE in Minneapolis within three weeks of each other in January of this year.
Looking Ahead
With signs and costumes, demonstrators gathered in communities across the region to protest President Donald Trump's policies.
The protest is welcome to participants of any political orientation, who are encouraged to bring signs and flags.
Organizers are reminding attendees to remain on the sidewalks and avoid obstructing traffic.
There will also be a community food drive, though bringing an item to donate to local food banks is not required.
According to IGK, "peacekeepers" will be present to support their commitment to non-violence.
Organizers of the food drive encourage participants to bring any of the following:
- Cereal
- Meals in a box (e.g. Hamburger Helper)
- Canned soups or stews
- Shelf-stable almond or rice milk
- Baking mixes
- Protein drinks
- Canned meat or fish
- Shelf-stable tortillas
- Granola or cereal bars
- Microwavable foods
- Kid-friendly snacks
Additionally, at 11 a.m. organizers said IGK and Singing Resistance will be holding a memorial service for the 44 people who have died in ICE/CBP detention in 2025 and 2026, with portraits of the deceased created by Kalamazoo tattoo artist, Raven.
That service will be held at the northeast corner of South Drake Road and Arboretum Parkway.
The Kalamazoo rally is among many other rallies being held that day throughout Michigan.
A "No Kings" protest covered the sidewalks once again on the west side of Kalamazoo, where it was high traffic and high volume on North Drake Road.