Jacksonville Unites: ‘No Kings’ Movement Sparks Powerful Protest for Equality

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — The heart of Jacksonville was alive with energy as thousands converged on the downtown area, many donning inflatable costumes, for the spirited “No Kings” protest.

The demonstration, held at the Duval County Courthouse, featured a lineup of speakers and chants, echoing similar protests occurring nationwide.

Yet, the event was as much about the march itself as it was about the destination. Participants made their way across the Main Street Bridge, making a statement through their journey to the rally.

Alayna Puls, dressed in an inflatable T-Rex costume, remarked, “I’m here to enjoy myself and stand up for what I believe in. I’m meeting the absurd with absurdity.”

Puls spends most of her days as a student at the University of North Florida, but just for Saturday, she was a dinosaur.

It was a deliberate choice for her “No Kings Day” outfit, to represent the specific issue she’s protesting.

“I got the stop work order on March 28,” Puls said. “I’ve been out of work since. I’m really passionate about science, and I’m really upset that our program lost its funding.”

Puls was surrounded by thousands of fellow “No Kings Day” protestors, some in similarly kooky costumes, as they marched from the Friendship Fountain, over the Main Street Bridge and through the downtown streets for a rally at the Duval County Courthouse.

“We can say how we feel and what we think about things, and how they’re going,” said Aldonna Warmowski, who says she’s changed her mind since initially voting for Trump. “Things are not going well.”

“It’s my obligation to stand up for what I think is right,” Nina Brown said while crossing over the Main Street Bridge.

“I think it’s beautiful and a wonderful message to send our representatives,” Reverend Monroe said while starting his march. 

There wasn’t a huge counterprotesting presence — although a plane with a Duval for Trump banner flew overhead at the beginning of the march.

The Duval County Republican Party said they weren’t planning any organized counterprotests, but First Coast News caught up with one flying his Trump flag proudly.

 “I think Trump’s doing a great job,” Todd said. “I came out here to enjoy the weather and show my support for President Trump. Not a king, he’s a president.”

Puls hopes, if nothing else, her Jurassic journey through downtown will be a “step” toward getting the research funding back.

 “So many scientists need to have this crucial funding in their undergraduate programs to experience and know this is what they want to do with their lives,” Puls said.

The first “No King’s Day” protest in June coincided with President Trump’s 79th birthday in June, so First Coast News asked an organizer if there was a reason Oct.18th was picked for a follow up protest.

“It was just time,” Carol Brady with Beaches Activist Movement said. “I think people saw so much success in the first No King’s Day that there was a lot of demand, ‘Let’s do it again.’”

The Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office closed down several streets, had officers cycling alongside the march and put up partitions at the Duval County Courthouse steps.

The sheriff’s office hasn’t indicated it had any major safety incidents during the protest.