SOUTHERN COLORADO, Colo. (KOAA) — The No Kings Protests took place across Colorado and the nation on Saturday. News5 had crews in Pueblo and Colorado Springs.
Protestors aimed to showcase a 'day of defiance' that coincided with the 250th Anniversary of the U.S. Army and President Donald Trump's birthday.
The Army hosted a military parade in Washington DC on Saturday to mark its semiquincentennial, but the event was mired in controversy as critics, in part, noted military parades were a mark of authoritarian countries.
Saturday's rallies served as a broader condemnation of the Trump administration's policy agenda.
Though they were scheduled prior to last week's protests against ICE raids in Los Angeles, the "No Kings" rallies took on deeper meaning as a result, some attendees said.
PUEBLO
The protest in downtown Pueblo began at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday. With more than 1,000 people walking the streets for No Kings: Just Freedom, a protest focused on defending democratic values and calling out local political leadership.
Primarily organized by Pueblo Indivisible, the event brought together four themed marches: Healthcare, Workers’ Rights, Free Speech, and Environmental Justice. The four converged into a powerful rally at Sister City Plaza.
Organizations that helped with the coordination of Pueblo's protest include Colorado Workers for Innovative and New Solutions, the Center for Health Progress, SEI Local 105, SOCO Labor Council, NAACP, and El Movimiento Sigue.
While the march was part of a larger national movement, organizers emphasized Pueblo’s unique reasons for taking part.
“We want to send a clear message that we don't believe in kings,” said Theresa Trujillo, one of the event’s lead organizers. “Our president has been acting like a king, and we’re fighting back.”
But the strongest message from local demonstrators was aimed not at Washington, but at their own congressional representative, Jeff Hurd.
“We're here to talk about Jeff Hurd,” Trujillo said. “He signed a bill that will put Medicaid and SNAP and other critical benefits at risk in order to give a tax break to the mega wealthy.”
Calling Hurd “a jester in this mess,” Trujillo said Pueblo residents are demanding accountability from a representative they feel has abandoned the community.
“People of all political affiliations are coming together to demand accountability,” she said. “What is best for Pueblo right now is to be clear that our congressional representative is not representing us.”
Organizers confirmed that more than 950 people had registered ahead of the protest, with final turnout well exceeding that.
“We have people power,” said Trujillo. “We’re exercising our protest muscle, building deeper relationships, and making sure our voices are heard.”
Though the atmosphere remained peaceful and energetic for most of the event, the Pueblo Police Department confirmed two individuals were arrested. One of those individuals had a weapon.
“Yes, I can confirm that the detained woman did have a weapon in her possession,” said Pueblo’s police spokesperson Bianca Hicks. “Charges are pending. We are grateful for the efforts of the organizers and our officers to keep this a peaceful event.”
Despite the brief disruption, Trujillo said the focus of the day remained clear: unity, resistance, and a long-term commitment to change.
“The reasons that bring people here are many,” she said, “but what we’re all looking for jointly, and as a unified group, is a voice for the people and the power of the people on display.”
We have reached out to Representative Jeff Hurd’s office for comment and are awaiting a response.
COLORADO SPRINGS
In Colorado Springs, at least 9,000 protesters gathered downtown in front of City Hall at noon, according to one of the speakers.
Though City Hall was the center point, protesters marched up and down Nevada Avenue, lining either side of the street, including the median, from Pikes Peak to Uintah, which are about a mile apart.
The Colorado Springs rally lasted several hours and police said no incidents or arrests had been reported.
For retired educators like Cathy Harrison, the massive crowds in Colorado Springs were indicative of the discontent with President Trump's second term.
“I’m thrilled that everybody’s turned out. I’m thrilled that people are taking these things very very to heart," said Harrison. “I think a lot of what’s going on is not a red or a blue issue. It’s an American issue. I’m talking about due process. I’m talking about VA, Social Security.”
Organizers of the Colorado Springs rally stressed a peaceful protest and ensured participants remained on the sidewalks and crosswalks so as not to disturb traffic.
This comes as protests against ICE in Los Angeles had some groups splinter into riots, prompting President Trump to federalize California National Guard troops and call in US Marines to conduct law enforcement activities.
The controversial moved stirred fear similar decisions could be made elsewhere around the nation if protests got out of hand.
In Colorado Springs, that was not the case despite some colorful language on protester signs. Some drove up and down Nevada Ave with a Trump flag waving from the back of a truck bed, but overall, there was no counter-protest to be seen.
For other attendees like Marina Skinner, the protests against ICE in Los Angeles and the political assassination and attack on Minnesota lawmakers early Saturday convinced her to attend Saturday's rally.
“What happened in LA spurred me. And then what happened last night spurred me even more with the attacks of the state politicians in Minnesota," Skinner said, who's a government worker. "It was just heartbreaking to wake up to something so devastating.”
Donna Pierce, a viewer in Cañon City, said their protest drew 450 people, thanking the Cañon City Police Department for monitoring the event.
Another viewer from Manitou Springs wrote into the newsroom and said their event drew 200 to 300 people outside City Hall.
While our crews couldn't attend all of the protests in southern Colorado, News5 viewers sent in their pictures from Cañon City, Manitou Springs, and La Junta.
You can view them below:
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