Villagers opposed to the policies of President Trump demonstrated in two locations in Florida’s Friendliest Hometown on Saturday, joining with millions of fellow Americans in No Kings rallies across the nation.
An enormous crowd of Villagers gathered near the entrance to Lake Sumter Landing holding up signs protesting against Trump. The crowd surpassed the size of the No Kings rally held at the same location this past June.
Villager LaRae Donnellan, who served as a media coordinator for the No Kings rally, estimated that more than 5,000 demonstrators turned out at the two locations in The Villages. While many were Villagers, there were many young people taking part in the rallies in The Villages, she said.
“It was amazing, gratifying and exciting,” she added.
Several residents wore colorful costumes as they waved their signs.
Nicole Cranker wore a blowup T-Rex costume.
“How scary can you be in a blowup T-Rex costume?” she asked.
Other protestors were dressed up as Captain America, the Grim Reaper and a giant Chicken named “Taco.”
A companion event was held near the Everglades Recreation Center.
The rallies in The Villages got a mention on a CNN newscast, noting that the huge turnout occurred in a notoriously red community in a red state.
Virtually all of the cars and trucks which drove into Lake Sumter Landing or south on Morse Boulevard honked their horns and waved in support of the demonstrators.
Several Sumter County Sheriff’s Office deputies were on duty during the event and received many thanks from the protesters for their professionalism.
“This nationwide mobilization is a response to President Trump’s administration sending militarized agents into our communities, disappearing immigrants, and keeping the government shut down while families struggle, reflecting widespread concern about threats to healthcare, civil liberties, immigrant rights, and the safety of communities,” according to a press release issued by the national organizers of the event.