The chants returned to city blocks and street corners. Demonstrators busted out their buckets of paint and cardboard.
Across the region, protesters joined in a nationwide protest with more than 2,500 locations – a mass mobilization to fight what many call creeping authoritarianism under President Donald Trump.
Protesters hoisted signs overhead, waved flags and cheered every passing honk as they gathered in Andover, North Andover, Methuen, Haverhill and, in New Hampshire, Pelham and Salem.
The No Kings network described the effort as a day “to show the world: America has no kings, and the power belongs to the people,” according to its website.
Haverhill has ‘heart’
In Haverhill, demonstrators wrapped around Central Plaza off White Street, their chants mixing with patriotic anthems and the blare of supportive car horns. Hand-painted posters lined the sidewalks: “HATE CANNOT DRIVE OUT HATE, ONLY LOVE CAN DO THAT,” and “WE THE PEOPLE WILL NOT BE SILENCED.”
Donna Fraza, leaning over the plaza railing beside her brother Paul, said she felt it was her duty to make an appearance at Saturday’s demonstration.
“It’s our obligation to come out for our country, and stand up for our country — to stand up for America,” she said. “We need to let Trump and his party know that we care about America.”
“It’s about getting America back. You got to have a heart,” her brother added.
Fraza said she hopes the widespread protests send a message to the White House that “the people are not happy,” as she and many others listed a flood of concerns from immigration policies to healthcare costs to economic hardships.
A few feet away, MaryAnn Sculley held a large sign reading “NO KINGS.” She said she fears democracy itself is at risk — particularly under the scope of Project 2025.
“With Trump being reelected, we’re going to be completely bombarded from every angle,” she said. “The objective is to overwhelm the population — the voters — by giving them too many things to focus on.”
Sculley noted that compared to June’s demonstration in Haverhill, there were fewer clashes with counter-protesters. Greater Haverhill Indivisible, the grassroots organization that set up the event, coordinated with the Haverhill Police Department. Officers were on standby beside crowds of demonstrators to ensure the morning went smoothly.
“Don’t give up hope,” Sculley said. “All we have is our voices. When we stand out and raise our voices for peace, calm, and democracy, that encourages others to do the same.”
Salem, N.H., steps up
Across the border in Salem, N.H., hundreds more gathered at Main Street and Bridge Street, echoing the same chants heard across the country.
While gathering under unfortunate circumstances, the group made their mark in the Salem Commons with high hopes and higher spirits, and a soundtrack to the protest certainly helped lift morale.
Guitarist Aaron Tornberg offered a live performance behind a microphone stand throughout the morning, with one song that truly touched the crowd. He strummed and sung the melody of an original tribute song written in honor of Catherine “Kay” Panciocco, a 100-year-old Salem woman who died in August and had attended June’s rally. The song, “100 Year Old Hippie,” drew tears from Panciocco’s daughter, Sammia, who was protesting nearby.
Tornberg explained that he contacted the family after hearing of the local legend’s death, notifying them of his intentions to write and perform this song on Saturday. Sammia Panciocco, in return, gifted the musician a guitar to play his heart out.
Her daughter recalled her mother’s determination to protest even in poor health.
“She wasn’t feeling good. She was in a wheelchair. I asked her point-blank, ‘Are you sure you want to do this one?’ She looked me in the eye, and she said to me, ‘Sam, if I die right there, I died for freedom.’”
“If she hadn’t passed, she would’ve been at this one, too,” she added
North Andover making history
In North Andover, protesters circled the rotary at Academy Road, where an inflatable baby Trump costume drew laughter and cellphone cameras. Speakers played “This Land Is Your Land” and other patriotic anthems as cars rolled by, with folks lining the sidewalks to make themselves heard.
Kate Hernandez protested beside her four-legged friend, who also had a message to share. Aurora, a five-year-old golden retriever, wore a small sign strapped to her back that read, “I BARK FOR DEMOCRACY.”
The leashed activist wagged her tail as Hernandez said she viewed Saturday as a way to teach the next generations the value of civic engagement — wanting to make a change for her children, grandchildren, and so on.
“How many chances do we have to be there for history in the making? If history is being made, I want to be on the right side,” she said
Methuen gathers
In Methuen, the city’s Democratic Committee hosted its own No Kings event, drawing about 175 people, according to Visibility and Outreach Director Linda Blake.
She said the demonstration was an overall success — yet another assembly of community members, uniting to spread word of their concerns and potentially to enforce change.
Both State Rep. Ryan Hamilton and U.S. Senate candidate Alex Rikleen addressed the crowd in Methuen.