Lexington sets the stage for 'No Kings' protest amid rising national tensions
By Josh James
June 10, 2025 at 5:25 PM EDT
On the heels of clashes between protesters and law enforcement in Los Angeles, Lexington will be joining a host of nationwide demonstrations against the Trump administration this Saturday.
More than a dozen cities across Kentucky and many more across the nation are coordinating large-scale rallies this weekend under the banner of "No Kings."
In Lexington, a number of activist groups—including Peaceful Bluegrass Resistance—are part of a coalition sponsoring the event at the Robert F. Stephens Courthouse Plaza. The group's founder, Dr. Craig Blair, says the rally will be the biggest single-day mobilization planned since Trump returned to office.
"We've had good turnout. Our very first one here in Lexington, we estimate around 1,200 to 1,500. The second one, we thought, was up around 2,500 to 3,000. So we're hoping to outdo that," he says, signaling he'd like to see upwards of 5,000 out this Saturday.
"We realize that we are a blue island and we're going to enjoy that privilege for as long as we can."
Scheduled speakers will address the crowd, followed by an open mic opportunity. In lieu of a march, Blair says the aim is to line the city's main thoroughfare.
"Our goal is to line both sides of Main Street from the library down to Mill Street and up Limestone from Main Street to Barr Street right around the the rally venue there," he indicated.
With the event arriving amid turmoil in Los Angeles over immigration, organizers hope the rallies will serve as a nonviolent statement against the administration as it stages a military parade in Washington coinciding with Trump's birthday.
Blair says small roadside events have largely received positive reaction, but he reports the group has dealt with weapons being brandished at them, Nazi salutes, and a couple of cars swerving toward protesters.
But major rallies have been a different story, he says, and his group has a cordial relationship with local law enforcement.
"That's not to say we condone what police and other law enforcement groups around the country are doing... cooperating with this administration. We think obviously that is overreach and unconstitutional," he adds. "And we haven't dealt with that here in Lexington."
In an overwhelmingly red state, Blair says his group feels even more responsibility to speak up.
"We realize that we are a blue island and we're going to enjoy that privilege for as long as we can. And, honestly, that's why we feel it's even more important for us to use the privilege that we have here to try to give voice to the people that feel like they can't come out," he says.
The Trump administration has argued the federal response in LA is necessary to enforce its crackdown on illegal immigration, while critics—including Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear—have warned the move is an "alarming abuse of power."
Lexington's "No Kings" rally will take place this Saturday from noon to 3 p.m at the Stephens Courthouse Plaza.
In Lexington, a number of activist groups—including Peaceful Bluegrass Resistance—are part of a coalition sponsoring the event at the Robert F. Stephens Courthouse Plaza. The group's founder, Dr. Craig Blair, says the rally will be the biggest single-day mobilization planned since Trump returned to office.
"We've had good turnout. Our very first one here in Lexington, we estimate around 1,200 to 1,500. The second one, we thought, was up around 2,500 to 3,000. So we're hoping to outdo that," he says, signaling he'd like to see upwards of 5,000 out this Saturday.
"We realize that we are a blue island and we're going to enjoy that privilege for as long as we can."
Scheduled speakers will address the crowd, followed by an open mic opportunity. In lieu of a march, Blair says the aim is to line the city's main thoroughfare.
"Our goal is to line both sides of Main Street from the library down to Mill Street and up Limestone from Main Street to Barr Street right around the the rally venue there," he indicated.
With the event arriving amid turmoil in Los Angeles over immigration, organizers hope the rallies will serve as a nonviolent statement against the administration as it stages a military parade in Washington coinciding with Trump's birthday.
Blair says small roadside events have largely received positive reaction, but he reports the group has dealt with weapons being brandished at them, Nazi salutes, and a couple of cars swerving toward protesters.
But major rallies have been a different story, he says, and his group has a cordial relationship with local law enforcement.
"That's not to say we condone what police and other law enforcement groups around the country are doing... cooperating with this administration. We think obviously that is overreach and unconstitutional," he adds. "And we haven't dealt with that here in Lexington."
In an overwhelmingly red state, Blair says his group feels even more responsibility to speak up.
"We realize that we are a blue island and we're going to enjoy that privilege for as long as we can. And, honestly, that's why we feel it's even more important for us to use the privilege that we have here to try to give voice to the people that feel like they can't come out," he says.
The Trump administration has argued the federal response in LA is necessary to enforce its crackdown on illegal immigration, while critics—including Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear—have warned the move is an "alarming abuse of power."
Lexington's "No Kings" rally will take place this Saturday from noon to 3 p.m at the Stephens Courthouse Plaza.