SAVANNAH, Ga. () — With signs and megaphones in hand, nearly 2,000 people marched through the streets of downtown Savannah for the “No Kings” protest Saturday.

The event started in Thomas Square Park at 11 a.m. with speeches from several activists and representatives from local organizations. A march followed, ending at the Forsyth Park fountain. This was just one of several events in our area and across the country.

One of the founders of Coastal Georgia for Democracy, Kris Mecholsky, said the meaning behind the “No Kings” message is to present the simple idea to the Trump administration that they don’t want a king. Trish Brown was one of many to address the crowd. She quoted an episode from Black Mirror in her speech.

“Get your tears out, your sadness, your angst. Get over your despair. Get off social media. The time for thoughts and prayers is over,” Brown said.

Many people, like Francis Phillips, told this was their first time participating in a protest. He held a sign that read, “I’m not usually a sign guy, but geez.”

“I think that says it. I remember as a kid seeing the news in the 60s and 70s, the Kent state riots and everything that was happening then. It’s a very similar pattern today,” Phillips said in reference to the recent Immigration Control and Enforcement (ICE) raids. “We can sit back and be quiet about it but the constitution’s being ignored. Laws are being ignored. They’re inciting violence.”

Many shared that they felt an overall lack of safety and security across America.

“Growing up, I just always felt so safe and secure here…and free. I’m slowly not feeling those ways anymore. The only way to stop all of this is to show up,” Bridget Hieronymus said. “It warms my heart and gives me some sort of a hope to see everybody come together like this.”

“Today is a very important day and there’ll be more days like this, I’m sure, in the future. We just need to be counted,” Phillips said.

Organizers say the event remained peaceful and there were no major disruptions. The News 3 crew on scene did see a few pro-Trump signs in the crowd.