Enormous No Kings crowd smashes previous record in The Villages

Villagers were out in force Saturday for the largest-ever No Kings protest in Florida’s Friendliest Hometown.

The two previous No Kings demonstrations drew huge numbers, but the third time was obviously the charm.

There were more than 5,500 demonstrators lined up along Morse Boulevard at the entrance to Lake Sumter Landing, according to Rochelle Larson of Villagers 4 Democracy.

This aerial shot showed the enormous crowd at the entrance to Lake Sumter Landing — This aerial shot shows the enormous crowd at the entrance to Lake Sumter Landing.

“Folks have had enough of the Trump Administration’s incompetence and cruelty. We are telling the Republicans in Congress and the Trump Administration that Americans have had enough, and we will continue to protest until this administration is out of office,” Larson said.

Casey Marr, Rochelle Larson and Paula Orlando organized the demonstration at Lake Sumter Landing — Casey Marr, Rochelle Larson, and Paula Orlando, from left, organized the demonstration at Lake Sumter Landing.

Meanwhile, a record crowd also gathered at the three corners of the Warm Springs/Marsh Bend intersection down south. There were 1,250 protesters at that location, three times as many as there were on Oct. 18 for the second No Kings protest at the same spot.

Four gals protesting — Ila Stofel of the Village of Shady Brook; Debby Spina, of the Village of Wellpoint; Barbara Burrows of the Village of Fenney; and Tina Sheree of the Village of Shady Brook joined in the protest down south.

Protesting with grandparents — Villager Donna Simonellii holds a sign at the southern No Kings demonstration. She was joined by husband Noel Simonelli and their granddaughters Emma, 23, and Ashleigh, 21.

“Although there were only 1,250 protesters at The Villages-South location, we counted about 8,000 vehicles and another 1,300 golf carts and their passengers who saw us and our messages today,” said LaRae Donnellan, of the Village of Dunedin and Democratic Club of The Villages Rally Committee Chair.

Carlene Thumann Prezioso of the Village of Pinellas, was at the southern protest with fellow members of Deaf for Democracy.

Villagers in Deaf for Democracy wanted to be seen and heard at the protest.

“I’m thrilled to see so many people here. More than last time. Obviously, people are fed up,” she said.

Bethany Barber, who is visiting from Germany, attended the southern protest with her parents, Keith and Brenda Barber of the Village of McClure.

Bethany Barber with her parents, Keith and Brenda Barber of the Village of McClure.

“Germany has reckoned with its past in a way that the United States hasn’t really yet. Germans have learned from their mistakes in a way that I feel is really inspiring. I’m thrilled to be here today because I feel I can’t do enough from Germany, and I want to be part of the resistance,” said Barber, who has been in Germany for the past 14 years.

Diana Lee, who is visiting from Minnesota, was determined to be part of our protest since she couldn’t join her friends and neighbors back home. — Diana Lee, who is visiting from Minnesota, joined in the protest in the southern end of The Villages.

Diana Lee, who is visiting from Minnesota, was determined to be part of The Villages’ protest since she couldn’t join her friends and neighbors back home.

Meanwhile, Minnesota’s Twin Cities saw more than 200,000 protesters turn out in the largest single-day protest in Minnesota’s history, according to the No Kings national organization.

Across the county, the No Kings protest marked the largest single-day nationwide demonstrations in U.S. history, with at least 8 million people gathered at more than 3,300 events across all 50 states, and almost every continent.