‘No Kings’ demonstrators pack DeWitt to condemn Trump’s ICE policy, Iran war
Thousands of protesters marched down Erie Boulevard in DeWitt Saturday for a “No Kings” protest condemning President Donald Trump’s deployment of ICE, war in Iran and the administration’s economic policies. Charlie Hynes | Staff Photographer
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Thousands of Syracuse residents marched in Dewitt Saturday for a “No Kings” protest condemning President Donald Trump’s deployment of United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement, the war in Iran and the administration’s economic policies.
The protest, organized by several political activist groups like the CNY Solidarity Coalition and the Party for Socialism and Liberation, was one of hundreds of “No Kings” protests organized across the country Saturday.
This was Syracuse’s first “No Kings” protest in 2026 and the third since the start of the second Trump administration. Demonstrators lined both sides of Erie Boulevard, filling the sidewalks from Kinne Road to East Genesee Street.
Some protesters held signs reading “ICE always melts” and “Fund schools, not wars,” while others carried flags calling for Trump’s impeachment. Hundreds of cars drove by honking their horns in support.
James Sullivan, a member of PSL, said the successful organization of the protest is an “encouraging” sign that “real change” can be achieved.
“The volume of organization is amazing to see. The key thing is to give people something to do so we can keep working as a coalition,” Sullivan said. “If we collaborate more, we can build more power.”
Heather Glum, a protester and local healthcare worker, said her work in the healthcare industry has become “frustrating” with the growing distrust in the Centers for Disease Control and other federal entities.
Glum said the administration has caused distrust in “literally every agency” and has changed her work specifically in healthcare. Glum carried a sign that read “Make Orwell fiction again,” referencing the dystopian world of George Orwell’s novel “Animal Farm.”
Protestors hold signs on the corner of Erie Boulevard East and Kinne Road in Dewitt Saturday. Maddy Cox | Staff Photographer
However, similarly to Sullivan, Glum said seeing such a large turnout despite the negativity of the country’s situation made her feel “optimistic.”
“It’s easy to just get sucked into the negativity of everything going on around us, and after I come to one of these, it’s just so rejuvenating to know that so many people also feel the same way and take the time out of their lives to come and show support,” Glum said.
Another protester, Meg Keller, held a sign reading “As Rome burns, our President Golfs” — a reference to the phrase “As Rome burns, Nero Fiddles.”
Keller said she has “genuine concern” for many in her community who rely on programs Trump has cut, such as Medicaid.
“I work with people who need Medicaid to live,” Keller said.
Keller also expressed concern for her Syracuse neighborhood’s affordability, referencing a 70-cent increase in gas prices and staff layoffs at local schools.
“I feel lucky that I can still pay for gas and groceries, but there’s so many people that are going to struggle to do so,” Keller said. “Something that’s also crazy recently is that they’re cutting staffing at schools because of rising insurance costs. That’s going to affect our kids and their education.”
Protesters also took issue with Trump’s deployment of ICE and the war in Iran. Many held up signs calling for justice for Alex Pretti and Renee Good, two citizens killed by ICE agents in Minneapolis.
Another protester, Marilyn May, called for the arrest of Trump over his “abuse of power.”
“I’m really a news person, and every day it’s something troubling on the news. It’s constant for me and it’s really just mind-boggling,” May said.
Sullivan shared a similar sentiment, claiming that Trump’s actions should be “called out” as abuses of power. He said he believes Trump’s actions in Iran are unconstitutional and are grounds for impeachment.
“You don’t have to disagree with everything that America does to disagree that American bombs are not going to liberate Iran,” Sullivan said. “Bombing an elementary school is fairly criminal.”
Sullivan hopes that the administration’s opposition does more to protect people’s interests going forward.
“We need our representatives to move with the people. The average person seems a lot more energized and motivated to make a change than our elected officials,” Sullivan said. “I’d like them to listen to all this energy and follow the people where we’re going.”
