Thousands of Idahoans turn out for Boise’s anti-Trump No Kings protest at state Capitol building

Thousands of people protested against President Donald Trump and government overreach at the Idaho State Capitol in Boise during a local No Kings 2.0 protest that was one of many similar protests taking place Saturday in cities across America.

During a speech delivered on the Idaho State Capitol steps, American Civil Liberties Union of Idaho board member Sam Linnet spoke out against what he said is a government that is using fear to divide the American people. 

Linnet called for transforming the political and economic systems of America and rejecting a system where he said billionaires buy elections and corporations write laws. Instead, Linnet called on the crowd to unite, hold the government accountable and support immigrants, women and trans people. 

“Everyone here proves democracy still has a pulse,” Linnet said. 

Idahoans share why they participated in the No Kings rally in Boise

For Boisean Cyndee Pierce, Saturday’s No Kings rally was her first protest. She carried a homemade sign that read, “I’m not a paid protestor I hate facism for free.” 

No Kings day brings millions into US streets in anti-Trump protests

In an interview at the protest, Pierce said she chose to attend because she wanted to channel the anxiousness she is feeling about the government into something positive.

“I am extremely disappointed in our leaders,” Pierce said. “I am hoping against hope our leaders will try to represent all of us.”

Pierce said she was impressed by the large crowd, which covered the steps of the Idaho State Capitol, filled much of Jefferson Street  between Sixth and Eighth streets and took over much of nearby Cecil D. Andrus Park.

“In very red Idaho, having a crowd of any more than two people is encouraging,” Pierce said with a smile as she gestured toward the large crowd. 

Millie Watkins of Boise said Saturday’s No Kings protest at the Idaho State Capitol marked her fifth such recent protest. She said Saturday’s crowd was the largest she has ever seen. 

Watkins carried a handmade sign calling on the U.S. Congress to do its job.  

“I think (the size of the crowd) says that there are a lot of people in this country who disagree with what is going on,” Watkins said. 

Saturday’s Boise No Kings protest coincided with hundreds of other No Kings protests held in cities across the country, States Newsroom reported.  

The Boise No Kings protest was organized by several groups including Idaho 50501, Indivisible and the American Civil Liberties Union of Idaho. Idaho 50501 is part of the wider 50501 movement, which originally got its name from 50 states, 50 protests, one movement. 

Saturday’s No Kings protests was the second large-scale No Kings protest in recent months in Boise. In June, thousands of people protested in front of the Idaho State Capitol during an earlier No Kings protest. 

“Our Founding Fathers rejected the idea of a monarchy for a reason,” Idaho 50501 spokesperson Sonya Christensen said in a written statement before the protest. “We say ‘No Kings’ because we believe in America’s founding principles. We are appalled at how our current Idaho representatives are abandoning those principles, and we are here to stand up for the Constitution of the United States of America.”