GRAND HAVEN — Hundreds on the east side of Grand Haven attended a spirited and peaceful protest on Saturday as part of the “No Kings” movement. 

A section of Robbins Road near 172nd Avenue was lined with protestors who convened at 1 p.m. holding American flags and anti-Trump signs and could be heard chanting, “This is what democracy looks like! Show me what democracy looks like!” and “Hey, Hey, Ho, Ho. Donald Trump has got to go!”

The local protest was organized by Indivisible Grand Haven Tri-Cities. 

It was one of many protests across the country to rally against President Donald Trump and his planned military parade to mark the Army’s 250th anniversary that coincides with the president’s birthday.

Among the estimated 1,000 people in the crowd was Annie Wooden of Grand Haven. She was holding a sign that said “No Kings, Tyrants, Dictators.” 

Wooden said she felt strongly about attending to show her disdain for the “world my kids are going to grow up in.”

“It’s just such a hateful environment. It just makes me sad; there is so much divisiveness,” she said. 

Wooden noted her kids both recently became registered voters and the thought that they are growing up in the current political environment “terrifies” her. 

Standing with Wooden was Heather Neer of Norton Shores. Neer said she felt compelled to show up Saturday to show her support. 

“I feel like it’s important for the world to see that everyday people can do this too,” Neer said. “I can’t just sit home and do nothing.”

Around 100 people from the Indivisible group were at the event, some of them wearing pink vests to identify as a group leader, like Jess Bowman. 

Bowman said she was “blown away” by the attendance. 

“It just exploded,” she said. “We are humbled and thankful that our voices were heard today.”

Local initiative gains traction

The sound of honking vehicles in support of the protestors excited Daisy Pineda, another leader of the local Indivisible chapter.

Pineda, a West Olive resident, said the turnout was better than she expected. 

“For us, it’s more than just about 'No Kings.' We are making sure our constitution is being used properly,” she said. “For me, it’s more about fighting for rights — and in my case — for immigrants.”

Pineda is a local advocate for immigrant rights. 

“The American dream deserves to grow” and to be attainable by all, she said. 

The protest continued to be peaceful as it neared 3 p.m. with an occasional driver shouting at the anti-Trump group, but a majority of passersby honked their horns, gave a supportive thumbs-up or waved.

Rachel Heavilin Gagnon, also a leader of Indivisible Grand Haven, said the protest is just what the community needed to see. 

“This is our patriotic duty, and I really felt like there was a need for this here. A small town needs to show support, too,” she said. 

Protest origins 

The 50501 Movement that orchestrated the protests says it picked the “No Kings” name to support democracy and speak out against what they call the authoritarian actions of the Trump administration. The name 50501 stands for 50 states, 50 protests, one movement.

The demonstrations come on the heels of protests that flared up across the country over federal immigration enforcement raids that began last week and Trump ordering the National Guard and Marines to Los Angeles, where protesters blocked a freeway and set cars on fire.

Protests were planned in nearly 2,000 locations across the country, from city blocks and small towns to courthouse steps and community parks, organizers said, but no events are scheduled in Washington, D.C., where the military parade will take place in the evening.

The event is expected to include about 6,600 soldiers, 50 helicopters and 60-ton M1 Abrams battle tanks, as well as possibly 200,000 attendees and heightened security to match.

Holland protesters join in

Thousands of Holland residents also came together to show their support for the "No Kings" protest.

Crowds packed Centennial Park and lined South River Avenue, shoulder to shoulder, waving signs and flags high in the air.

— Heather VanDyke covers northern Ottawa County for the Ottawa News Network. Contact her at newsroom@ottawanewsnetwork.org. Photographer Cathy Seaver contributed to this article.