Creativity reigns again in No Kings protest signs at rallies across NC
By Scott Sharpe
Sara Swartzwelder, visiting family in Durham from New York, dressed as Marie Antoinette, the infamous queen toppled by the French Revolution. Swartzwelder said she saw someone with the “let’s give them 1789 France” sign and thought she'd “kick it up a notch.”
Twumasi Duah-Mensah
tduahmensah@newsobserver.com
Protesters at No Kings protests across the Triangle area of N.C. Saturday voiced their opinions through a variety of signs and costumes. Thousands voiced their opposition to the Trump administration and policies in Raleigh, Durham, Sanford, Pittsboro, and other cities and towns across the state.
Hundreds of demonstrators line Capital Boulevard in Raleigh on Saturday, March 28, 2026, during a “No Kings” protest against President Donald Trump and his agenda. More than 70 cities and towns across North Carolina participated in nationwide protests Saturday. Travis Long tlong@newsobserver.com
Hundreds of demonstrators line Capital Boulevard in Raleigh on Saturday, March 28, 2026, during a “No Kings” protest against President Donald Trump and his agenda. More than 70 cities and towns across North Carolina participated in nationwide protests Saturday. Travis Long tlong@newsobserver.com
A protesters holds up a sign referencing the Epstein files at the No Kings protest along Raleigh’s Capital Blvd., Saturday, March 28, 2026. Nathan Collins ncollings@newsobserver.com
Hundreds of demonstrators line Capital Boulevard in Raleigh on Saturday, March 28, 2026, during a “No Kings” protest against President Donald Trump and his agenda. More than 70 cities and towns across North Carolina participated in nationwide protests Saturday. Travis Long tlong@newsobserver.com
Tiffany Bashore of Cary, left, at the No Kings rally in Pittsboro with her friend Kara Johnson of Chatham County Martha Quillin mquillin@newsobserver.com
Hundreds of demonstrators gather outside the North Carolina State Capitol in Raleigh on Saturday, March 28, 2026, during a “No Kings” protest against President Donald Trump and his agenda. More than 70 cities and towns across North Carolina participated in nationwide protests Saturday. Travis Long tlong@newsobserver.com
Hundreds of demonstrators gather outside the North Carolina State Capitol in Raleigh on Saturday, March 28, 2026, during a “No Kings” protest against President Donald Trump and his agenda. More than 70 cities and towns across North Carolina participated in nationwide protests Saturday. Travis Long tlong@newsobserver.com
Hundreds of demonstrators gather outside the North Carolina State Capitol in Raleigh on Saturday, March 28, 2026, during a “No Kings” protest against President Donald Trump and his agenda. More than 70 cities and towns across North Carolina participated in nationwide protests Saturday. Travis Long tlong@newsobserver.com
Hundreds of demonstrators gather outside the North Carolina State Capitol in Raleigh on Saturday, March 28, 2026, during a “No Kings” protest against President Donald Trump and his agenda. More than 70 cities and towns across North Carolina participated in nationwide protests Saturday. Travis Long tlong@newsobserver.com
Hundreds of demonstrators line Capital Boulevard in Raleigh on Saturday, March 28, 2026, during a “No Kings” protest against President Donald Trump and his agenda. More than 70 cities and towns across North Carolina participated in nationwide protests Saturday. Travis Long tlong@newsobserver.com
Hundreds of demonstrators line Capital Boulevard in Raleigh on Saturday, March 28, 2026, during a “No Kings” protest against President Donald Trump and his agenda. More than 70 cities and towns across North Carolina participated in nationwide protests Saturday. Travis Long tlong@newsobserver.com
Hundreds of demonstrators line Capital Boulevard in Raleigh on Saturday, March 28, 2026, during a “No Kings” protest against President Donald Trump and his agenda. More than 70 cities and towns across North Carolina participated in nationwide protests Saturday. Travis Long tlong@newsobserver.com
Hundreds of demonstrators line Capital Boulevard in Raleigh on Saturday, March 28, 2026, during a “No Kings” protest against President Donald Trump and his agenda. More than 70 cities and towns across North Carolina participated in nationwide protests Saturday. Travis Long tlong@newsobserver.com
Hundreds of demonstrators line Capital Boulevard in Raleigh on Saturday, March 28, 2026, during a “No Kings” protest against President Donald Trump and his agenda. More than 70 cities and towns across North Carolina participated in nationwide protests Saturday. Travis Long tlong@newsobserver.com
No Kings protesters along Raleigh, N.C. Capital Blvd., Saturday, March 28, 2026. Nathan Collins ncollins@newsobserver.com
Norm Zimmer protests at the No Kings event in Raleigh along Capital Blvd. Nathan Collins ncollins@newsobserver.com
Hundreds of demonstrators line Capital Boulevard in Raleigh on Saturday, March 28, 2026, during a “No Kings” protest against President Donald Trump and his agenda. More than 70 cities and towns across North Carolina participated in nationwide protests Saturday. Travis Long tlong@newsobserver.com
Susan Worley of Chapel Hill at the No Kings rally in Pittsboro Saturday morning. Worley said she would attend a second event in her hometown in the afternoon. Martha Quillin mquillin@newsobserver.com
No Kings protesters along Raleigh, N.C. Capital Blvd., Saturday, March 28, 2026. Nathan Collins ncollins@newsobserver.com
Bob Kliesen displays his “Old Carboard Against Trump!” sign at the No Kings protest in Durham, N.C., Saturday, March 28, 2026. Twumasi Duah-Mensah tduahmensah@newsobserver.com
Kathleen Hannan (second from right) is the director of the protest singing group Bodies, Voices, and Spirit. Members of her group — along with Durham Resistance Singers — led thousands of protestors in song at Durham’s No Kings protest Saturday. Twumasi Duah-Mensah tduahmensah@newsobserver.com
Sara Swartzwelder, visiting family in Durham from New York, dressed as Marie Antoinette, the infamous queen toppled by the French Revolution. Swartzwelder said she saw someone with the “let’s give them 1789 France” sign and thought she'd “kick it up a notch.” Twumasi Duah-Mensah tduahmensah@newsobserver.com
Bob Kliesen displays his “Old Carboard Against Trump!” sign at the No Kings protest in Durham, N.C., Saturday, March 28, 2026. Twumasi Duah-Mensah tduahmensah@newsobserver.com
People gather in downtown Durham to participate in Saturday’s “No Kings” protests against President Donald Trump and his policies. Twumasi Duah-Mensah tduahmensah@newsobserver.com
This story was originally published March 28, 2026 at 11:34 AM.
