A throng of protesters lined the streets surrounding Brighton’s Twelve Corners on Saturday, waving American flags and signs of protest in opposition to President Donald Trump’s policies.
Some came dressed as the Statue of Liberty. They chanted and cheered in unison with the honking of passing motorists.
The scene was repeated from Irondequoit to Henrietta, and Fairport to Canandaigua. And in towns and cities across New York and the nation.
“Peaceful, jovial, disheartened, but wanting to fight back and be on the right side of history,” said Penny Dentinger, 51, of Rochester, who joined the demonstration in Brighton.
The planned "No Kings" protests were expected to represent the largest showing of opposition to the president thus far in his second term, while in the nation's capitol, Trump was preparing for a massive military parade marking the 250th anniversary of the U.S. Army and coinciding with his 79th birthday.
“I think it's really important that we make it very clear that we support democracy, and that's not what things are looking like right now,” said Deborah Hughes of Greece, who joined the roadside crowd along Lakeshore Boulevard in Irondequoit, near Durand Eastman Park. “Government's supposed to be of the people, by the people, for the people. And it's amazing to see this huge stream of people out here — all ages — it's what it's really about.”
There were demonstrations slated for all 50 states — including Minnesota, where thousands turned out in Minneapolis despite events being canceled and authorities asking people to stay home after two Democratic state legislators were shot, one fatally, by a man police feared might also target the protests.
Locally, the gatherings remained peaceful.
“It's been very peaceful,” said Carlos Heyl, 44, of Rochester, wearing a T-shirt that read, “I’m not yelling, I’m Dominican, that’s how we talk.”
Behind him, a small band in the Twelve Corners gazebo played, “I Won’t Back Down.”
“You know, it's good to see that people are standing up, especially in New York. I'm so glad that we live in this state,” Heyl said. “I've been out of Rochester, and I came home. I'm glad to be back home. This is the safest state for everybody, like all walks of life. I love it. This is the best place to live.”
While Trump lost New York state in 2024, it was by the slimmest margin in three decades. He was strongest upstate, outside of traditionally blue counties like Monroe and Erie, recording notable gains among whites, Asians and Latinos.
Many of the protest signs supported immigrants, and opposed cuts to education and safety net programs.
“I'm proud people are coming out,” said Matt Lenhard, 53, from Hilton. “I was hoping for this. But this has exceeded my expectations, so I’m happy.
“The signs are great,” he added, pointing to one across the street that read, “I’ve seen smarter cabinets at IKEA.”
Another sign, on a sandwich board at Twelve Corners Plaza outside the specialty shop Chara, read, “Shop small, his policies are hurting small business.”
“Our small business can't hold on,” said owner Jennifer Hayslip. “And I think the perception, even amongst the people out there, is it's about to happen, not that it's currently happening.”
Sales are down 50% since February, she said, as tariffs pushed up prices and shoppers stayed home.
“There's so much chaos going on right now,” she said. “People are kind of holding in place and not shopping as much for these fun extra things.”
Still, she said, “I opened early today, just so I could kind of feel like I'm a part of it.”
And while the demonstration on Saturday filled the streets, it also filled the parking lot. Her shop was empty. The day, she said, would likely be another loss, as far as business goes.
Includes reporting by senior producer Veronica Volk.
