Huge crowds blanketed Plaza for No Kings 3.0 & other rallies across KC area
The Kansas City metro was once again a hub for protests as part of the No Kings movement in opposition of President Donald Trump’s administration.
Organizers had predicted that No Kings 3.0 would be one of the largest single-day of nonviolent nationwide protests in U.S. history. A map including the location of each event showed more than 3,100 events were planned ahead of Saturday.
According to its website, No Kings is a nationwide movement against President Donald Trump’s administration and its policies, which organizers say they perceive as authoritarian, king-like overreach.
Protests also took place in other cities across the Kansas City metro Saturday. Events were set for Excelsior Springs, Lee’s Summit, Liberty, Platte City, Kansas City, Kansas, Overland Park, Olathe, Gardner, and dozens of other sites across Kansas and Missouri.
Our journalists were on hand to cover some of the protests in updates throughout the day.
If you’d like to share what the protest looked like from your point of view, you can share photos and comments here.
Protest coming to a close
3:25 p.m.: As protesters continue to leave Mill Creek Park, the No Kings 3.0 protest appears to be coming to a close.
Some demonstrators remain, cheering and holding signs, but roads around the plaza are mostly reopened.
Police vehicles that were blocking off streets for the parade route have left. And the orange cones have been moved.
Protests Saturday remained peaceful across the Kansas City metro.
Organizers say they saw the third installment of No Kings as a rally that brought people together from all different backgrounds into one place.
— Kendrick Calfee
Crowd dissipates
3:15 p.m.: As the crowd continues to dwindle, “This land is your land, this land is my land” plays over a loudspeaker near the Mill Creek Park fountain.
— Kendrick Calfee
Thousands were at Plaza protest, organizers say
3 p.m.: Organizers with Indivisible KC say No Kings 3.0 was the largest one so far.
Using drones to estimate numbers, organizers were able to determine Saturday’s rally in Kansas City drew thousands.
“There are no words to express my gratitude for all of the people who showed up today, said Beverly Harvey, a spokesperson for Indivisible KC. “It was just overwhelming.”
— Kendrick Calfee
Crowd’s energy high as protest winds down
2:55 p.m.: While a large swath of the crowd has slowly disbanded, protesters continue to line Cleaver II Boulevard, holding signs, chanting and cheering as cars honk in support.
As people steadily leave, Mill Creek Park still remains fairly busy and energetic.
Behind the row of protesters, a small jazz band with drums, a trombone and saxophone has started playing.
Other people continue to wander throughout the park, some resting on the edge the fountain and others keeping their signs held high.
— Jenna Ebbers
Look to the skies
2:42 p.m.: Back at Mill Creek Park, amid a crowd of protesters taking a breather after the march, one demonstrator flies a kite.
— Kendrick Calfee
March wrapping up
2:38 p.m.: The back of the march appears to have turned onto Wornall Road and is approaching the park now.
As the crowd loops onto W 46th Street, a few stragglers follow behind, but a majority of marchers have reentered the park.
— Jenna Ebbers
Some protesters arrive at park
2:35 p.m.: The march now leads protesters back to Mill Creek Park via West 46th Terrace, where the route appears to end.
But the long line of marchers are still filing into the park. It could still take some time before the march is over.
— Kendrick Calfee
Crowd stretches on for blocks
2:33 p.m.: The march continues to weave throughout the Plaza on its way back to Mill Creek Park as people shout various chants, blare music, pound on handheld drums and blow whistles.
The end of the march is still not visible from the corner of Wornall Road and W 47th Street. The crowd remains thick, spanning the width of the street.
— Jenna Ebbers
Energy high among protesters
2:27 p.m.: The march route took a turn onto Wornall Road from West 47th Street, then took a right turn onto West 46th Terrace, heading back toward Mill Creek Park.
The energy remains high among marchers, who are cheering after each chant.
— Kendrick Calfee
Crowd continues around Plaza
2:23 p.m.: Marchers are making their way back down West 47th Street on The Plaza.
Protesters span both sides of the divided road, hitting drums and chanting.
— Kendrick Calfee
March blankets streets
2:13 p.m.: A majority of the crowd that stood packed at Mill Creek Park is participating in the march.
People spanning the width of the streets are passionately chanting and hoisting their picket signs in a patriotic parade, of sorts.
KCPD officers turned away a bus that tried to turn into the parade route. Areas along the route are blocked off by cones and cars.
— Kendrick Calfee
Speeches start on Plaza
2:07 p.m.: Addressing the crowd from a small stage, Missouri State Rep. Wick Thomas called for people to take a stand now to “to ensure the safety and security of future generations and our planet.”
Thomas, who represents District 19, said people must “boldly” advocate for LGBTQ+ rights and the welfare of all people.
“Over the next 250 years, let us learn from the past 250 years. Let us set a new foundation to turn America into a country that is great for the first time for all of us,” they said.
— Jenna Ebbers
March begins on Plaza
2:03 p.m.: The Plaza March has begun, with people in the front carrying a large red banner with the word “Democracy” in all caps.
Marchers at the front chant, “Show me what democracy looks like,” “This is what democracy looks like.”
A group in the middle shouts, “Hey hey, ho ho, Donald Trump has got to go.”
— Kendrick Calfee
Scenes from No Kings protest
1:58 p.m.: Among the crowd of thousands, children blow bubbles, play on the park’s outdoor exercise equipment and are pushed around in strollers and wagons. One child walked around holding a “Trump is stinky” sign.
Natalie Earehart’s 2-year-old daughter, Hattie, sat perched on her husband’s shoulders in the middle of the park, holding a “No kings” sign.
Seeing her daughter looking across the crowd of people made Earehart emotional Saturday afternoon.
“I was born with more rights than she was born with, with overturning Roe v. Wade. So it’s a big deal. It’s a big deal for her to be here, to know that this is, that we have these rights and we’re not gonna let them take it away,” she said.
“I like that she’s here. We feel safe. We feel like these people will rally behind her and keep her safe, and that’s why we’re fighting,” Earehart said, choking back tears.
— Jenna Ebbers
Parking filling up at the Plaza
1:55 p.m.: Those planning to arrive for the second half of the afternoon at Mill Creek Park should know parking is limited.
With a March around The Plaza starting at 2 p.m., traffic is expected to see delays.
Organizers are helping direct people as they arrive in preparation for the march on the Plaza.
— Kendrick Calfee
‘I’m ashamed of our government’
1:30 p.m.: Karl Hague stood along the edge of the park holding a sign that said “How you treat people matters.”
His reason for joining Saturday’s Mill Creek Park protest was simple: He wants a better future for his children.
“I have kids. They need a better country. I can’t leave it like this for them,” he said. “Everything the country’s doing now, this isn’t right. We can’t treat people the way we’re treating them. We can’t keep starting useless wars. I’m ashamed of our government right now.”
While disappointment with the government brought him to the protest, seeing the large crowd in the park has restored some of his hope, he said.
“This is encouraging. I am encouraged to see this many people here,” he said. “This gives me some hope.”
— Jenna Ebbers
Crowd grows on Mill Creek Park
1:15 p.m.: Thousands of people are continuing to file into the Mill Creek Park area, many carrying bold-print signs and waving American flags.
A large portion of the group is gathered on green space inside the park, while others are lined up along the streets bordering the park.
A group in the park is beating on drums as cars honk, people chant and others ring noisemakers. A loud roar of cheers echoed as a semi truck drove by honking.
One sign read “The only crown I accept is the KC Royals,” while others said “Impeach Trump before he steals our freedoms,” “No cons, no clowns, no kings,” and “Democracy needs your courage.”
— Jenna Ebbers
Protesters move to Plaza area
12:04 p.m.: Protests in Johnson County have all but wrapped up as people prepare to head to the Kansas City rally at Mill Creek Park.
Organizers said rallies in the surrounding parts of the metro were scheduled earlier in the day so people could show up to the afternoon protest in Kansas City.
Our journalists will be on the ground at Mill Creek Park, West 43rd Street & Broadway Boulevard for live updates.
The Kansas City rally is scheduled to take place from noon until around 3 p.m.
— Kendrick Calfee
Strong turnout in Liberty
12 p.m.: The protest in Liberty has wrapped up and the sidewalks have cleared of people holding signs and chanting.
Organizers of the event with Clay-Platte Indivisible estimate around 1,000 people attended, stretching between Bluejay Drive and RT-291 along Kansas Street.
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Terri Johnson, the founder of the organization, said they had a good turnout and the protest remained peaceful and respectful throughout its duration.
“The crowd that came was just happy to be here and stand up and raise their voice. Everyone was just joyful,” she said.
— Jenna Ebbers
JoCo protest dwindling
11:47 a.m.: The number of protesters at Johnson County’s rally along Metcalf is starting to dwindle.
The rally was scheduled to last from 9:30 to 11 a.m., but many people stayed almost an hour later.
The rally drew crowds at several intersections along one of the busiest streets in the county.
— Kendrick Calfee
‘Talk about what matters’
11:40 a.m.: Standing with her family at College Boulevard, Abby Mathewson, 28, held a sign made by her cousin, and small LGBTQ+ flags.
Mathewson said she went to the rally to show displeasure with federal immigration policies and to support the Johnson County community.
“I really just care about supporting our community and loving each other as equals and really using our voice to… talk about what matters,” Mathewson said.
— Kendrick Calfee
Protest begins to split up in Liberty
11:36 a.m.: The crowd at Liberty’s protest is beginning to dissipate slowly, while cars continue to honk.
Around 100 people are still standing holding up signs and waving American flags.
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The protest drew in people of all ages, including children, one of whom held up a sign that said “Trump is a bad person.”
— Jenna Ebbers
Anti-war sentiment
11:35 a.m.: Many signs at the Overland Park rally have messages opposing the war in Iran.
Protesters in Johnson County say they are concerned about the effect the war is having on their wallets, namely, rising gas prices.
— Kendrick Calfee
Showing dissent
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11:33 a.m.: Analisa Lee said she attended the protest in Liberty as part of a “demonstration of solidarity.”
Lee said standing outside holding a sign, which read “Elect a reality TV host — now we’re all on Survivor,” was important to show the City of Liberty that there is dissent within the community.
“I am incredibly concerned about the slide away from democracy and towards an autocratic government,” she said. “It’s just accelerating, and it’s terrifying.”
— Jenna Ebbers
‘Here to save our democracy’
11:25 a.m.: Standing among a line of protesters stretching from 110th Street to College Boulevard in Overland Park were Susan Aulgur, 65 and Steve Aulgur, 75.
The two are grandparents who are concerned about Medicaid and the effects that federal and state policies are having on their granddaughter.
“First and foremost, we’re here to save our democracy,” Susan Aulgur said. “We feel like it’s slipping away little by little.”
Standing near the 110th Street RideKC Bus stop, Susan Aulgur held a sign that read, “No War.”
“We have a special needs granddaughter and our concern in the state of Kansas is expanding Medicaid,” she said. “It makes so much sense to do that.”
— Kendrick Calfee
Liberty protest grows
11:25 a.m.: A couple hundred more people have gathered at the intersection of Kansas Street and Forest Avenue at Liberty’s No Kings protest.
People are holding even more signs at this portion of the protest, including those that read “Send Trump to prison,” “Resist,” “Impeach and imprison” and “This is not the way.”
The honking from passing cars is nearly constant. Members of the crowd are chanting “Show me what democracy looks like. This is what democracy looks like,” and “No kings.”
— Jenna Ebbers
‘Unplanned war’
10:49 a.m.: Nancy Gremli, who is among the Liberty protesters, said she joined the crowd in support of the many members of the U.S. military.
Coming from a four-generation military family, Gremli said she felt it was important to attend this weekend’s protest to voice her concerns regarding the War in Iran.
“I have family members in the military right now that because of his unplanned war, unconstitutional war, they will be put in harm’s way,” she said while waving a small American flag.
— Jenna Ebbers
Liberty protest begins
10:45 a.m.: Around three dozen people have gathered in small groups scattered across a busy Liberty intersection holding signs bearing “Due process for all,” “Stop the war in Iran,” and “No war, no ICE, no kings” in support of the nationwide No Kings protests Saturday.
The protesters proudly held up their signs along the intersection of West Kansas Street and Bluejay Boulevard as passing cars honked in support.
MarryAnn Pfeifer, 78, sat on her walker along the roadside Saturday to protest against President Donald Trump and “let people know we’re unhappy,” she said.
“So much of what he’s doing is immoral and illegal, and I lived through the Vietnam War and other things that I don’t want repeated,” she said.
— Jenna Ebbers
‘We need to support our democracy’
Among the protesters in Overland Park on Saturday stood Jim Twigg, 68, who held a sign with small flags attached to it and waved at cars driving on Metcalf.
Twigg said the issue most important to him, and why he participated in the protest, was democracy.
“I’m really concerned about our country,” he said. “We need to support our democracy — it’s not working.”
— Kendrick Calfee
Metcalf lined with protesters
10:15 a.m.: More protesters are flocking to the 119th Street intersection on Metcalf, where the road splits off to Blue Valley Parkway.
Protesters are holding signs on both sides of Metcalf Avenue as people with megaphones lead chants.
The crowd here has quickly grown from a couple dozen around 9:30 a.m. as more people arrive by the minute.
— Kendrick Calfee
‘I feel helpless’
9:45 a.m.: Protesters have begun to line sidewalks at several intersections along Metcalf Avenue in Johnson County.
People are holding signs and waving at cars as they pass by from around 75th Street to 119th Street.
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Joining the rally at 119th Street were Overland Park residents Carol Barlau, 66, and Blane Halvorson, 74.
They said they attended to show their opposition to the Iran war and its effect on the economy, among other issues.
“It’s kind of a helpless feeling, Barlau said. “I feel helpless. I want to do something, and this is something that, you know, you can do to show how you feel.”
— Kendrick Calfee
What to expect from No Kings 3.0
9:06 a.m.: Participants of the past two No Kings rallies across the Kansas City metro said they attended to advocate for democracy and stand against what they see as threats to civil rights and freedoms protected by the U.S. Constitution.
The first No Kings rally was held in June 2025, when around 2,100 events were planned nationwide, according to a spokesperson for No Kings. The second No Kings event took place Oct. 18 last year, with around 2,700 events.
The last two No Kings rallies saw a huge turnout at Kansas City’s Mill Creek Park, where demonstrators held picket signs, chanted and marched near the Country Club Plaza.
An organizer with Indivisible KC said they anticipate an even larger turnout this time around based on pre-registration numbers for the events.
“I think they can expect a lot of energy, a lot of banners, a lot of excitement,” said Beverly Harvey, an Indivisible KC spokesperson. “We just need to show (the Trump administration) that we want to save democracy. We don’t want a dictator or a king or a monarch. In our country, we’ve never had one. We’re not going to have one now.”
— Kendrick Calfee
This story was originally published March 28, 2026 at 9:19 AM.
