Area community members rally for ‘No Kings’

Some of the hundreds of protesters, estimated at more than 700, along US-31 in Manistee for the June 14, 2025, ‘No Kings’ rally.  (Photo by Mark Videan, Freshwater Reporter co-editor)

By Pat Stinson

Updated on June 15 to include news of Ludington’s rally, how many rallies were planned in Michigan and how many people attended “No Kings” rallies nationwide.

REGION – A lone couple stood at the corner of Lake Street and M-22 in Arcadia earlier today. They were waving and smiling to passersby in cars who honked or gave them a thumbs up as they read the messages on the couple’s “Hands Off” protest signs. To the south, more than a dozen people rallied along M-22 in Onekama to chant, honk a bicycle horn, wave U.S. flags and hold up “No Kings” signs as vehicles drove past.

Hundreds of  protesters lined US-31 in Benzonia for a 1 p.m. “No Kings” rally, according to the Benzie County Record Patriot, and an estimated 700-800 (by the count of one participant) spread themselves along the same highway in Manistee just hours later.  In Manistee, most were holding signs, some were waving U.S. flags, and many were chanting or roaring their approval as passing vehicles honked their horns, waved, made peace or heart signs, or gave them a thumbs up.

Some vehicle occupants shouted “Trump,”  gave protesters a thumbs down, or placed an arm out their vehicle in a vulgar finger display. Other passersby drove past silently.

(Hover over the pictures with your cursor to read the photo captions.)

A street corner in Onekama was lined with more than a dozen people to protest on the day of President Trump’s military parade in Washington, D.C. Photo by Pat Stinson.

Across M-22 from one line of protesters was this smaller, but vocal group. Photo by Pat Stinson.

Protesters turn the corner from US-31 to march along River Street in Manistee. Photo by Mark Videan.

Some of the signs were homemade, others were said to be free downloads from organizations hosting rallies. Photo by Mark Videan.

One of the messages on a protester’s sign. Photo by Mark Videan.

A protester carrying a colorful homemade sign joins the rally taking place across US-31. Photo by Mark Videan.

A protest sign at at the June 14, 2025, rally in Manistee. Photo by Mark Videan.

In Ludington, an estimated 1,000 protesters rallied outside the Mason County Courthouse, according to more than one attendee. The rally was hosted by the Ludington-based Indivisible chapter, which serves all of Mason County.

Protesters just kept coming in Ludington. Estimates are that approximately 1,000 people attended throughout the rally. Photo by Kevin Howell.

A few counter-protestors showed up in Ludington with Trump flags … soon to be hidden among hundreds of No-King protesters. Photo by Kevin Howell.

Proceeds from the sale in Ludington of cheese-puff-dusted chicken T.A.C.O.’s, donated by Q Smokehouse, were to benefit the local Indivisible chapter. Kevin Howell is ready to devour his. Photo by Jean Howell.

State Wide Indivisible Michigan (SWIM) reported on its website that “more than 60 events” were planned in Michigan. The Economic Times reported that “millions” participated in the events nationwide.

June 14 is Flag Day in the U.S. and the 250th anniversary of the founding of the U.S. Army. President Trump, who celebrated his 79th birthday today, chose to host a military parade in Washington, D.C. As a result, tens of thousands of protesters across the country were expected to rally, according to the Associated Press. They were protesting the current administration’s actions, as evidenced by the breadth of the messages on their signs, and the estimated $25-$45 million cost of today’s military event, as reported by Reuters on May 15.