How ‘No Kings’ protesters mobilized across KC metro to counter Trump
By Kendrick Calfee ,
Caroline Zimmerman and
Ramal Nasim
Demonstrators gathered at locations across the Kansas City metro Saturday as part of a nationwide protest against Trump administration policies.
Protests were planned in parks, parking lots and other public spaces as attendees rally around issues like immigration, free speech, and federal government overreach.
Organizers across the country named the mobilization “No Kings.” The rallies were organized in opposition to a military parade in Washington, D.C. on the president’s 79th birthday Saturday. The parade is happening on Flag Day, which also marks the U.S. Army’s 250th anniversary this year.
In an online platform, Mobilize.us, No Kings event pages called the rallies a “nationwide day of defiance” against “authoritarian excesses and corruption from Trump and his allies.”
Protesters voice their dissent for the Trump administration during the “No Kings” rally Saturday, June 14, 2025, at Mill Creek Park in Kansas City. Emily Curiel ecuriel@kcstar.com
The Trump administration’s policies on immigration were the subject of many signs during the “No Kings” rally Saturday, June 14, 2025, at Mill Creek Park in Kansas City. Dominick Williams dowilliams@kcstar.com
Protesters Rhea Le Grande of Lenexa, left, and Ellen Jorgenson of Parkville, marched and rallied as part of a nationwide “No Kings” day of defiance on Saturday, June 14, 2025, in Lenexa, Kansas. The events protest President Donald Trump and immigration policies, among other issues. Tammy Ljungblad tljungblad@kcstar.com
A large crowd gathers during the “No Kings” rally Saturday, June 14, 2025, at Mill Creek Park in Kansas City. Dominick Williams dowilliams@kcstar.com
A KCPD officer watches over the demonstrations during the “No Kings” rally Saturday, June 14, 2025, at Mill Creek Park in Kansas City. Emily Curiel ecuriel@kcstar.com
A protester carried an oversized “No Kings in America” flag during a nationwide “No Kings” day of defiance on Saturday, June 14, 2025, in Lenexa, Kansas. The events protest President Donald Trump and immigration policies, among other issues. Tammy Ljungblad tljungblad@kcstar.com
Protesters demonstrate during the “No Kings” rally Saturday, June 14, 2025, at Mill Creek Park in Kansas City. Dominick Williams dowilliams@kcstar.com
Protesters march along 87th Street in Lenexa on Saturday, June 14, 2025, for the “No Kings” rally. Several “No Kings” rallies intended to protests the policies of the Trump administration are scheduled across the country and the Kansas City metro area. Tammy Ljungblad tljungblad@kcstar.com
Demonstrators march through the streets in the Country Club Plaza during the “No Kings” rally Saturday, June 14, 2025, in Kansas City. Emily Curiel ecuriel@kcstar.com
Demonstrators had a vast array of ways to say the U.S. doesn’t tolerate having a king during the “No Kings” rally Saturday, June 14, 2025, at Mill Creek Park in Kansas City. Dominick Williams dowilliams@kcstar.com
Protesters Roderick and Wyatt Townley of Johnson County, rallied as part of a nationwide “No Kings” day of defiance on Saturday, June 14, 2025, at Sar-Ko-Par Trails Park in Lenexa, Kansas. The events protest President Donald Trump and immigration policies, among other issues. Tammy Ljungblad tljungblad@kcstar.com
Loretta Rood used a bubble gunduring the “No Kings” rally Saturday, June 14, 2025, at Mill Creek Park in Kansas City. Emily Curiel ecuriel@kcstar.com
KCPD police officers stand by as demonstrators march toward Westport after rallying at the “No Kings” day of defiance Saturday, June 14, 2025, at Mill Creek Park in Kansas City. Dominick Williams dowilliams@kcstar.com
Rep. Emanuel Cleaver II was greeted demonstrators during the “No Kings” rally Saturday, June 14, 2025, at Mill Creek Park in Kansas City. Dominick Williams dowilliams@kcstar.com
Previous Kansas City protests:
Kansas City’s No Kings rally at Mill Creek Park was one of four large protests against Trump administration policies held in the city this year.
On March 29, thousands gathered in a “March for Democracy,” where demonstrators marched a little over a mile from downtown to Union Station.
Several hundred people attended a Shut Down ICE protest June 10 on Kansas City’s Westside and downtown. People held signs and flags and chanted in support of immigrants and against the Trump administration’s immigration policies.
This story was originally published June 14, 2025 at 10:01 AM.
Kendrick Calfee covers breaking news for The Kansas City Star. He studied journalism and broadcasting at Northwest Missouri State University. Before joining The Star, he covered education, local government and sports at the Salina Journal.
