Thousands march, flood SC state capitol at ‘No Kings’ rally to protest Trump
Thousands of people protesting President Donald Trump’s leadership marched peacefully Saturday on Main Street and covered the state capitol grounds in Columbia, waving signs and cheering speeches that derided the president and his policies.
They chanted, sang and carried signs reading “Deport Epstein’s pals,” “Putin Loves Trump,” “Love Not Hate Makes America Great,” “Long Live the Constitution” and “I’m Here Because I love America.” Many signs had pictures, such as one that showed the Statue of Liberty holding a placard that said “Resist.” One man dressed as a Revolutionary War patriot.
It was the second “No Kings’’ rally in Columbia this year, part of more than 2,500 protests taking place in cities across the country Saturday by people who say they are frustrated with Trump for reasons ranging from his pardon of more than 1,500 Jan. 6 Capitol rioters to his reversal of climate change policies to his administration’s mass firings of federal employees.
“They want to govern from a throne surrounded by yes men’’ and others, said Greenville resident Michelle Shara, speaking to the crowd gathered on the state capitol’s north lawn. “It is our job to tear down the throne brick by brick.’’
After she spoke, Shara told The State she was glad so many people turned out for the rally during a busy weekend in Columbia, where the University of South Carolina had a big home football game and the annual state fair was in town.
Unlike some cities where rallies were held, Columbia is in one of the most conservative, Republican states in the country.
An exact crowd estimate was not available, but those attending said the rally appeared to be as large, if not larger, than one held earlier this year. Unofficial estimates were more than 2,000. Shara said plenty of voters are upset with Trump, and it’s becoming more apparent to her.
“People are realizing that this isn’t OK, and more and more and more people are speaking up,’’ she said. “I had three people I spoke to today who voted for Trump this time. They were like ‘Wow, this is really messed up.’ ‘’
Another speaker, S.C. League of Women Voters official Lynn Teague, criticized the practice of gerrymandering, by which Republican majorities in the S.C. House and Senate have severely limited Democratic representation to far less than the 40 percent or more of them who make up the state electorate.
A contingent of law enforcement officers from state and local agencies were on the capitol grounds in case trouble erupted. Officers were also seen atop nearby office and government buildings. A drone flew overhead. Three state Bureau of Protective Services police officers on bicycles rode behind the long line of marchers. But while the rally was enthusiastic, no signs of violence were observed Saturday afternoon.
Saturday’s protest involved speeches to an assembled throng, then a march from the state capitol down Main Street to Gov. Henry McMaster’s mansion on Lincoln Street — a distance of about a mile. Then, marchers walked back to the state capitol grounds. Through much of the protest, cars driving down Gervais Street in front of the capitol honked horns in support of rally goers and their message.
The No Kings rallies were set up to protest a variety of Trump policies, ranging from what people see as threats to democracy to using soldiers in an effort to keep peace in U.S. cities. Many also are upset about immigration raids by the Trump administration, which some say are cruel and unnecessary. Trump has also been blasted or allegedly trying to consolidate power.
Of course, a majority in South Carolina and other red states continue to back Trump.
Many conservative Republicans downplayed or criticized this weekend’s No Kings rallies, calling them collections of ultra left-wing activists who are out of touch with U.S. values. U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson this past week called the protests a kind of “hate America rally’’ that would draw supporters of the Hamas terrorist organization.
None of those who spoke at Saturday’s rally in Columbia were heard saying they hated America, and American flags were abundant. Some signs showed support for the Palestinian people.
In addition to national rallies, No Kings protests also were set up in other parts of South Carolina, including the Charleston and Greenville areas. Some 3,000 anti-Trump protestors gathered in North Charleston, according to press accounts.
Typical of the high feelings at the rally was the spirit displayed by the oldest speaker to the crowd, Rev. Susie Smith, 75, who arrived in a wheel chair.
Smith, one of the last speakers, told the crowd she had demonstrated at the Capitol for years on causes such as removing the Confederate Flag.
“Keep on walking, keep on talking, keep on marching!” she told the crowd. “Let’s go!”
The No Kings national coalition includes the ACLU, American Federation of Teachers, Common Defense, 50501, Human Rights Campaign, Indivisible, League of Conservation Voters, MoveOn, National Nurses United, Public Citizen, SEIU, and more, according to a press release about the event.
“All No Kings events adhere to a shared commitment to nonviolent protest and community safety. Organizers are trained in de-escalation and are working closely with local partners to ensure nonviolent ... actions nationwide,” the release said.
CNN and Politico reports were used in this story.
This story was originally published October 18, 2025 at 7:14 PM.
