What to expect at Lexington's 'No Kings' rally Saturday
By Josh James
June 13, 2025 at 8:00 PM EDT
A "No Kings" rally is set to take place in Lexington Saturday—coinciding with nearly 2,000 planned protests across the state and country.
The coordinated protests across the nation are aimed at countering the Trump administration on a day when a military parade is set to roll through Washington.
In Lexington, the event runs from noon to 3 p.m. at the Robert F. Stevens Courthouse Plaza. Dr. Craig Blair, one of the organizers, had a preview of what to expect.
"We've got just a general overview of what's going on right now. We've got community leaders, faith leaders, people speaking about the minority issues, veterans issues, teachers. We have a student that's going to talk," he says. "Just trying to cover really the entire gamut of issues that are affecting people right now."
The protest will end with rally-goers lining Main Street, in lieu of a march. Blair hopes to see 5,000 participants in Lexington.
In an overwhelmingly red state, the PBR founder 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.
Down the road in Louisville, activist Summer Dickerson told Spectrum News what message she hopes the mass protest sends.
"We have children and families that are very scared right now and very unsure of what's going on," se said. "It's all about community, and it's all about unity, and it's about a nonviolent demonstration."
The nationwide events come on the heels of protests in Los Angeles, where the administration has used scenes of violence to justify sending the National Guard against the wishes of California Gov. Gavin Newsom.
Meanwhile, Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear—a critic of the Trump administration's mobilization of Guard troops in LA—has activated the state’s Emergency Operations Center ahead of planned protests in 15 Kentucky cities on Saturday.
“Violence, looting, destruction of property is illegal. Those that would engage in it should be prosecuted, but the peaceful protest is legal and is as American as America is," said Beshear. "And those that engage in peaceful protest ought to be able to do it safely.”
A complete list of "No Kings" protests in Kentucky is below.
In Lexington, the event runs from noon to 3 p.m. at the Robert F. Stevens Courthouse Plaza. Dr. Craig Blair, one of the organizers, had a preview of what to expect.
"We've got just a general overview of what's going on right now. We've got community leaders, faith leaders, people speaking about the minority issues, veterans issues, teachers. We have a student that's going to talk," he says. "Just trying to cover really the entire gamut of issues that are affecting people right now."
The protest will end with rally-goers lining Main Street, in lieu of a march. Blair hopes to see 5,000 participants in Lexington.
In an overwhelmingly red state, the PBR founder 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.
Down the road in Louisville, activist Summer Dickerson told Spectrum News what message she hopes the mass protest sends.
"We have children and families that are very scared right now and very unsure of what's going on," se said. "It's all about community, and it's all about unity, and it's about a nonviolent demonstration."
The nationwide events come on the heels of protests in Los Angeles, where the administration has used scenes of violence to justify sending the National Guard against the wishes of California Gov. Gavin Newsom.
Meanwhile, Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear—a critic of the Trump administration's mobilization of Guard troops in LA—has activated the state’s Emergency Operations Center ahead of planned protests in 15 Kentucky cities on Saturday.
“Violence, looting, destruction of property is illegal. Those that would engage in it should be prosecuted, but the peaceful protest is legal and is as American as America is," said Beshear. "And those that engage in peaceful protest ought to be able to do it safely.”
A complete list of "No Kings" protests in Kentucky is below.
- Lexington: Noon-3 p.m.
- Louisville: Noon-4 p.m.
- Bowling Green: 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m.
- Danville: 10-11 a.m.
- Elton: 11 a.m.-1 p.m.
- Franklin: 11 a.m.-1 p.m.
- Hazard: Noon-3 p.m.
- Henderson: 5:30-7 p.m.
- Hopkinsville: Noon-1:30 p.m.
- Jackson: 5-7 p.m.
- Madisonville: 11 a.m.-1 p.m.
- Morehead: Noon-3 p.m.
- Owensboro: 11 a.m.-1 p.m.
- Paducah: 1-2:30 p.m.
- Shelbyville: 1-3 p.m.