Thousands of protesters gathered across Southwest Florida Saturday for the No Kings III rally, with Fort Myers drawing an estimated 6,500 demonstrators opposing President Donald Trump’s administration. The League of Women Voters in Lee County conducted an unofficial count by distributing 5,800 colored paper dots to attendees, with the higher estimate accounting for areas they couldn’t reach during the protest.
Bob Westfall from Cape Coral, who has attended all No Kings events, expressed his concerns about the country’s direction. “I’m out here because I don’t like seeing things going the direction they’re going in our country. I think that, uh… if the… if the country allows Trump, he will take us into an authoritarian type situation, and I don’t like that. That’s not the country I live in,” Westfall said. His wife Betsy emphasized the growing unity among opposition groups, stating, “I think the more that we are united as the opposition, the better off we’re gonna be going forward. So I’m excited that the protest is gonna be even larger than the last three that we’ve been to.”
Dan Ribarovic of North Fort Myers positioned himself early along U.S. 41 to show support for the demonstration. “We’re not happy with our current administration,” Ribarovic said. “And want people to stand up and speak their displeasure with what’s happening right now.” He connected the protest to broader concerns about voter participation, adding, “I think that’s part of the reason why we’re in this situation, because many people that can vote don’t vote, and to get to have a proper democracy, we need everyone’s vote.”
The nationwide movement included more than 3,100 registered events across all 50 states and several other countries, with organizers predicting more than 9 million participants. According to The Associated Press, organizers suggested the demonstrations could rank among the largest protests in U.S. history. The rallies drew participants from various political affiliations who shared concerns about the current administration’s policies and direction.
Lindsay Wray, dressed as a sunflower and blowing bubbles, highlighted healthcare concerns driving her participation. “People aren’t going to the doctor because they can’t afford health care. So it resonates with me. I pay out of pocket, and it’s costing a hell of a lot more now than it was two years ago, three years ago,” Wray said. She emphasized the personal impact of policy changes, stating, “This is not how Americans should be living. So I’m standing up. It’s what we have to do.”
Florida Democrat gubernatorial candidate David Jolly attended several locations, including the Fort Myers rally, and addressed the changing political landscape. “Look, changes here. Voters are standing up, they’re speaking out. We’re seeing it in the special elections. We’re seeing that rallies like No Kings. We’re seeing it across the country,” Jolly said. The former Republican U.S. representative noted recent electoral shifts, explaining that in Palm Beach and Tampa special elections, more Republican voters turned out but Democrats won.
In North Fort Myers, approximately 300 demonstrators gathered at the intersection of Del Prado and U.S. 41, chanting “this is what democracy looks like” as vehicles passed the busy intersection. Protesters displayed signs reading “NO kings…Stop ICE,” referring to Immigration and Customs Enforcement. The demonstration drew mixed reactions from passing drivers, with some honking horns and giving thumbs up while others made obscene gestures.
Betsy Westfall characterized the movement as transcending traditional party lines. “It’s a citizen thing,” she said. “It’s Independents, Republicans, and Democrats. It’s people that love our country and don’t want it to change in a fundamental way.” The protest organizers scheduled rallies throughout the day, with many events held from mid-morning through early afternoon across Southwest Florida locations.