On Oct. 18th, six thousand protesters gathered at Lexington’s historic Battle Green for the No Kings Rally, a two-hour peaceful protest that called for democracy and stood against authoritarian power. Held on the historic grounds where the first shots of the American Revolution were fired, protesters voiced their frustrations over social inequalities, police brutality, and immigration policies.
With over 2700 similar protests nationwide, the rally, organized by Lexington Alarm, began as a small idea that grew into a larger movement.
“I felt we really needed to do something. After I posted in March, if anyone was organizing something in conjunction with Patriots’ Day, about two dozen people responded saying that they were interested … So I said, let’s see if we can organize something. That’s how it started,” said Kerry Brandin, a Lexington Alarm member and organizer.
The protestors at the rally came together to fend off the effects of tyranny.
“It’s an expression of popular sovereignty. “No Kings” means that the power to decide what you do, the freedom to act, think, get the job you want, to travel—you decide that. You don’t have someone else deciding it for you,” explained Toby Sackton, President of Lexington Alarm.
For many protesters, the rally also acted as a message to lawmakers to protect common liberties more proactively.
“I hope this protest sends the message to our leaders to not stand down, to not be complacent about what this administration is doing. I hope they actually take action, amplify the voices of the people, and represent them across this country,” said DJ Rai, a freshman at Lexington High School.
The rally also highlighted the larger stakes at play.
“It’s the sciences, our rights, immigration, agriculture, trade—everything that makes America what it is. That’s what’s at stake,” said Brandin.
At the heart of the rally was a call to safeguard the basic freedoms of all Americans, and to reform a government drifting towards tyrannical rule.
“The worst thing about living in an authoritarian society is that your freedom of action is restricted. You can’t publish something without risking trouble. You can’t go to a rally because you’ll be surveilled. You can’t post something on social media without risking your job. ‘No Kings’ is a stand for freedom—our right to be heard without fear,” said Sackton.
This fear resonates among many in the crowd, raising broader questions about the future of American democracy.
“I’ve lived here for over 50 years, but this makes me feel deeply connected to the patriots. I really feel like we’re on the cusp. Are we going to continue as a democracy?” Brandin continued.
The event was a display of the town’s unity, where families, students, and veterans stood shoulder to shoulder, united with a sense of purpose and urgency.
“We’re a town that honors patriotism, and in this case, standing up for these values is the patriotic thing to do. We want people to realize that this is not politics as usual,” Sackton said.
Despite the tense atmosphere that Saturday, the day ended with a feeling of hope that resonated far beyond the rally.
“After seeing all these protests happening along the East Coast, the government should realize they can’t suppress the people,” said Ian Burton, a junior at LHS. “They need to take steps to move away from the more authoritarian style [of] government and uphold democracy.”
