Over 5,000 show up in Renton to say ‘No Kings’

Covering one-third of a mile, from the Top Golf to the edge of the parking lot at The Landing, with the corners of Logan Avenue and North 10th Street serving as the nucleus, Renton held its “No Kings” protest where well over 5,000 people filled the sidewalks, adorned in clown noses, carrying signs and chanting in protest of the Trump administration.

Scheduled from noon to 1 p.m. Saturday, June 14, the protest started early and lasted much longer than usual, with a wide variety of signs, with many that read, “No kings” or “No crown, no clown,” referring to President Donald Trump.

A weekly demonstration has been held at The Landing since the overturning of Roe v. Wade in 2022, and for many protesters in the crowd, this was not their first time showing up to protest.

“I went to ‘Hands Off’ in April and I’m here today because of all the horrendous things that are happening right now, at universities and with immigrants… everybody is touched in a pretty big way,” said Taletta Wibmer of Renton, who is also concerned for how the administration’s actions will affect her grandchildren. “I have disabled grandkids and there is no money for research or support for their lives. They have us now, but what happens when we die? Who will support them?”

For Terra McCaffre, this was her third protest in Renton.

“I’m here for me and my wife and our first priority is to protect our civil rights,” she said. “I’m here because this is a corrupt administration. Hospitals will close, food support will go away like food banks. It’s hurting the people, especially lower income people.”

Over the course of the afternoon, the protest grew and grew, with the crowd reciting different chants, one speaker blasting “We’re Not Gonna Take It” by Twisted Sister and a never-ending stream of honks from passing cars, with one woman pulling up to the crowd and yelling, “We’ll join you as soon as we find a parking spot!”