‘No Kings’ protesters march against Trump in downtown Jacksonville
Protesters took to the streets and the steps of the Duval County Courthouse to protest President Donald Trump and his administration.
- Protesters used creative signs and costumes to express frustration with political leadership and systemic injustice.
- The nationwide “No Kings” movement included over 2,500 protests, with more than 80 events held in Florida.
- President Trump and the White House responded to the protests with a series of apparently AI-generated images and videos depicting him as a king.
Jacksonville showed up in force this weekend as part of the nationwide “No Kings” protests — and it was loud, creative and peaceful.
More than 2,500 protests were held across the country, with over 80 events in Florida alone. Here in Northeast Florida, thousands took to the streets in cities including Jacksonville, Neptune Beach, St. Augustine, and Orange Park, uniting for a full day of marches, rallies, and rolling caravans.
All protests in the Jacksonville area remained peaceful, with no reports of violence or property damage. Here’s a look at what happened, in case you missed it.
What were protesters saying at the Jacksonville ‘No Kings’ Rally?
At the October 18 “No Kings” protest — held on a much milder day than June’s sweltering rally — participants came dressed in eye-catching costumes, including tacos, chickens, aliens, and kings. Their outfits added a layer of satire and creativity to the event, but their signs carried serious and often sharp political messages.
Many of the protest signs expressed outrage, resistance, and calls for justice. Some of the more publishable messages included:
- “Hate will not make you great”
- “Down with the Turd Reich”
- “ICE melts”
- “The Shady Bunch”
- “Future generations will judge you for what you ignored”
- “Jesus was WOKE, how about you”
- “The greatness of a nation is measured by how it treats the least among us”
While some messages were not suitable for publication, the overall tone reflected deep frustration with political leadership and systemic injustice. The mix of humor, activism, and bold critique was central to the protest’s energy and impact.
Where did the Jacksonville ‘No Kings’ protests take place over the weekend?
- Jacksonville (2–3 p.m.): March from Friendship Fountain to the Duval County Courthouse
- Jacksonville (3–5 p.m.): Rally with speakers and entertainment at the Courthouse
- Neptune Beach (10–11:30 a.m.): Gathering at Beaches Branch Library
- Orange Park (10 a.m.–noon): Protest at Blanding Blvd. & Kingsley Ave
What was President Trump’s response to ‘No Kings’ Protest?
President Donald Trump and the White House responded to the millions of protesters who took to the streets at “No Kings” rallies by jabbing them with a series of apparently AI-generated videos and a photo of Trump wearing a crown.
In one video the president shared Oct. 18 on social media, Trump wears a crown and flies a fighter jet with “King Trump” written on it and drops what appears to be excrement on protesters. In another, he wears a crown and robe and wields a sword as a song with the words “hail to the king” plays and former Democratic House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and others bow to him.
The White House image of Trump and Vice President JD Vance in crowns
The White House also posted an image on social media of Trump and Vice President JD Vance in crowns, juxtaposed with an image of House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer wearing sombreros.