Thousands Gather at Arizona Capitol for "No Kings" Protest

More than 15,000 people gathered at the Arizona State Capitol on Saturday to participate in a nationwide protest movement called "No Kings," which targeted President Donald Trump's administration.

The protest took place at Wesley Bolin Memorial Plaza in front of the Capitol building. Protestors filled the plaza and lined nearby roads as speakers addressed the crowd from a stage set up in a parking lot.

"We meet together, and we say 'no kings,'" said Julie Gunnigle, a local attorney who spoke at the event.

Organizers specifically chose Flag Day for the protests to counter a military parade in Washington, D.C. The parade celebrated both the U.S. Army's 250th anniversary and Trump's 79th birthday. The event is estimated to cost up to $45 million.

Protesters criticized the expensive Washington celebration, saying it ignores working families and increases inequality.

The Phoenix rally was one of approximately 2,000 "No Kings" protests held across the country on Saturday. In Arizona alone, more than 40 protests took place statewide.

Organizers describe the movement as "a nationwide day of defiance ... to reject authoritarianism and show the world what democracy really looks like."

Event organizers initially expected around 10,000 people but had to add an extra stage and make other adjustments when the crowd grew to more than 15,000 by 10 a.m., according to Erica Connell from 50501 Arizona, an anti-Trump political organization that helped organize the protest.

The event featured speeches from activists and local lawmakers mixed with entertainment from drag performers. The crowd responded with cheers, chants, and rallying songs.

Nearly two dozen tents displayed information from activist organizations promoting their services and encouraging volunteer participation. Bounce houses were set up for children attending with their families.

Key Speakers

• Anna Hernandez, former state senator and current Phoenix City Council member
• Raquel Terán, former state lawmaker who co-hosted the event
• Rep. Sarah Liguori, D-Phoenix

Speakers focused on several key issues:

• Opposition to federal deportation efforts
• Support for fair elections and voting rights
• Encouragement to support immigrants, LGBTQ individuals, and other marginalized communities

"It's a real surreal thing to be an elected official in this moment," Hernandez told the crowd.

Unlike some recent immigration protests in other cities that led to confrontations between demonstrators and law enforcement, the Arizona Capitol event remained largely peaceful.

No visible law enforcement presence was seen among the crowd, though some attendees required medical attention for heat-related symptoms.

"No National Guard, no Marines, no riots, no nothing," Connell said.

The Saturday rally followed nationwide demonstrations against U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement that had created tensions between protesters and police in several cities.

Prior to the Arizona event, Governor Katie Hobbs and Arizona Department of Public Safety Director Jeffrey Glover issued statements encouraging protesters to exercise their First Amendment rights without violence or property damage.