Last October, thousands gathered in the heart of downtown Lexington — organizers put the number at around 8,000 —- for the second No Kings rally.
Now, amid the war in Iran, efforts to alter voting rules ahead of the midterm elections, and aggressive immigration tactics that have led to the death of two Americans, demonstrators are taking to the streets again.
While Craig Blair with Peaceful Bluegrass Resistance says he hopes to see crowd numbers meet or match the last rally, there is reason to think this event could break the previous attendance record. During the first rally in 2025, Blair estimated roughly seven local organizations were involved.
"I think now we're up to 20 local organizations, which are made up of local grassroots like mine... as well as chapters of national organizations like the NAACP and the League of Women Voters," Blair says.
In fact, Blair says they're running out of physical space for groups that want to host tables at the rally. He hopes that means their message is getting through.
"We're coming together to show that no one is above accountability, not even the president, regardless of what he would have us believe, and we want people to see that they have a voice," Blair adds.
The event will be one of more than 3,000 across the country, hundreds more than last October. Blair says there are around 40 events scheduled in Kentucky.
The Lexington No Kings rally will be held from 1-4 p.m. in the courthouse plaza on Saturday.