Thousands of Mainers are expected to gather Saturday for protests against the Trump administration as part of the second round of the nationwide “No Kings” demonstrations. Organizers say their movement represents a “patriotic” fight for First Amendment rights, though some conservative politicians have criticized the protests as anti-American.

In June, protest organizers estimated that 5 million people across the U.S. participated in the first round of the No Kings protests. Organizers have said they expect even larger crowds this time around.

In that first round of almost entirely peaceful demonstrations — more than 2,000 of which were held nationwide — a crowd of several thousand protesters crammed into Portland’s Monument Square and nearby Lincoln Park, while thousands more massed near the State House in Augusta, on Longley Bridge between Lewiston and Auburn, and in other towns, including Freeport, South Portland and Wells.

Ezra Levin, a leading organizer of Saturday’s protests, told the Associated Press that the demonstrations are a response to President Donald Trump’s “crackdown on First Amendment rights.” Levin, the co-executive director of the nonprofit Indivisible, pointed to Trump’s sweeping immigration crackdown, his unprecedented promises to use federal power to influence the 2026 midterm elections, his administration’s efforts to restrict press freedom, and his pledges of retribution against political opponents.

In Maine, protests are scheduled in Augusta, Bangor, Bath, Belfast, Bridgton, Brunswick, Calais, Castine, Cherryfield, Dexter, Ellsworth, Farmington, Freeport, Houlton, Lewiston-Auburn, Lubec, Machias, Ogunquit, Penobscot, Portland, Porter, Presque Isle, Rockland, Saco, Sanford, Skowhegan, South Paris, South Portland, Southwest Harbor, Vinalhaven, Waterville, Wayne, Wells, Windham, Wiscasset, Yarmouth and York, according to Mobilize, a platform often used by the Democratic Party to recruit volunteers and organize protests.

Maine Trust for Local News reporters and photographers will be out covering the demonstrations. Live updates will be posted below.

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3:50 p.m.: Portland protest wraps up

PORTLAND – As the Portland protest wrapped up, the close to 6,000 attendees flocked to their cars, still waving homemade “No Kings” signs.

One protestor, who wished to remain anonymous, said she lost her job under the Trump administration. But leaving Saturday’s protest, she felt hopeful.

“I’m feeling connected and joyful,” the protestor said.

Organizer Marie Follayttar said she hopes to see more protests like Saturday’s in the near future.

“We’re not done. We have to continue to organize,” Follayttar said. “We can become beautifully unstoppable in protecting our country.”

Sydney Richelieu, Staff Writer, Maine Trust for Local News

3:40 p.m.: Scenes from Augusta

3:26 p.m.: “We’ve lost checks and balances”

It was Shannon Pyne’s birthday on Saturday, but that didn’t stop her from showing up to the Portland “No Kings” protest that afternoon. Pyne, a Portland resident, said she “shouldn’t have to be” at the protest on her birthday.

“But I am, because it’s so important,” Pyne said.

Ryan Heuss, who attended the protest with Pyne, said the country is in “unprecedented times.”

“We’ve never had a leader like this,” Heuss said. “We’ve lost checks and balances.”

Across the park, organizer Marie Follayttar shared photos of protestors around the world. Two friends of hers protested in Portugal, others in Mallorca.

“People are connecting in that way,” Follayttar said. “They’re not here, but they’re still with us.”

3:12 p.m.: For Portland sisters, protest is personal

Naomi Lynch of Portland and her sister, Signe Lynch, solemnly watch a musical performance at the Portland “No Kings” protest Saturday afternoon. For both Lynch sisters, the protest is personal.

“We both work for underserved populations, particularly the unhoused population in Portland,” Naomi said.

According to Naomi, it’s “completely common sense” that all Americans should have access to healthcare.

“But we have a dictator running our country,” she said. “If you’re not outraged, you’re not paying attention.”

The large turnout at Saturday’s protest was uplifting to Signe Lynch.

“It’s exciting to see that people are turning up in large numbers,” she said.

2:55 p.m.: Portland crowd estimated at 5,000

PORTLAND – The crowd has now grown to over 5,000 protestors at the Portland “No Kings” protest, organizer Marie Follayttar estimates.

Since 1:30 p.m., a massive crowd has listened intently to speeches and live music from anti-Trump speakers and organizations. Over the course of nearly two hours, Follayttar said she heard nothing but hope from other protestors.

“I’ve heard gratitude,” she said. “I’ve heard that the speakers have been inspiring, and a lot of people want to join in.”

Follayttar has also heard stories of pain, and of fear.

“People are worried about the impact of Trump’s actions around the country,” Follayttar said. “But there is also joy. It’s a community event.”

2:21 p.m.: Crowd descends on Deering Oaks Park in Portland

PORTLAND – Crowds of people descended on Portland’s Deering Oaks Park for a No Kings protest Saturday afternoon, most of them carrying homemade signs protesting against the Trump administration.

By 2 p.m., crowds had reached over 2,500 people, organizer Marie Follayttar estimated.

“I think people are fired up and inspired to be here in solidarity for a shared purpose, with shared values,” Follayttar said. “We’re claiming our space.”

As the protest begins, Susan Roberts of Portland walks with three friends. She said she “had to” be a part of today’s event.

“There’s no choice,” Roberts said. “There are too many people in power doing wrong things.”

2:10 p.m.: Augusta bridge reopens after police incident

AUGUSTA – The Memorial Bridge reopened to vehicle traffic around 2 p.m. after it was blocked by police officers that were detaining a counter-protester.

“We had anticipated that something like this might happen,” said Jodi O’Connor, one of the protest’s organizers, who said the police were called on the counter protester after he indicated he had a gun.

She said the man detained is a regular counter-protester.

After traffic resumed, drivers honked horns, waved and threw up fists, met by cheers from the hundreds of protesters on either side of the bridge.

— Hannah Kaufman, Morning Sentinel

2:07 p.m.: Auburn protest wraps up

AUBURN — As the protest wound down, organizers thanked the crowd, which they estimated at 3,000 people, far more than the 1,200 who attended the prior protest in June.

Head organizer Pat Fogg implored the crowd to stay joyful amid all the stress and upheaval she says is being caused by the Trump administration.

“We’re have to continue to be happy,” she said. “Because that’s what they don’t want.”

— Ben Bragdon, managing editor, Sun Journal

1:50 p.m.: Gov. Mills addresses crowd in Auburn

AUBURN — Gov. Janet Mills arrived at the rally shortly before it was set to conclude, addressing the large crowd at Great Falls Plaza.

Mills, who recently announced she is running for U.S. Senate, thanked the crowd for taking action and expressed optimism in their cause.

“We’re going to get through this thing,” she said. “We are going to turn Congress around.”

Mills also took the opportunity to state her opposition to Question 1 on the November ballot, parts of which target absentee voting, saying the people need to protect their voting rights.

“We will have our voices heard,” she said.

— Ben Bragdon, managing editor, Sun Journal

1:47 p.m.: Counter-protester detained in Augusta

AUGUSTA – A man counterprotesting was handcuffed by police shortly before 2 p.m. Saturday at the No Kings protest on Memorial Bridge in Augusta.

The crowd, lining both sides of the bridge, cheered as he was led to the police vehicle.

Police said he is being detained. Witnesses said the man told the police he had a “non-lethal” gun.

— Hannah Kaufman, Morning Sentinel staff writer

1:37 p.m.: 100 gather for No Kings in Rumford

More than 100 River Valley residents turned out Saturday at the Morse Bridge on 108 Bridge St. in Rumford for the “No Kings” protest. There was one incident where a passerby threw water bottles from his truck at the protesters.

— Bruce Farrin, staff writer, Rumford Falls Times

1:19 p.m.: Why they are here

AUBURN — As the crowd at Longley Bridge cheered, rang noisemakers and held signs protesting the policies of the Trump administration, Marlis Whittier of Auburn said she was glad to be alongside others who recognize the danger the country is in, and are willing to do something about it.

“I’m glad to be where people have some sense,” she said.

Emma Medeiros of Lewiston said she put the actions of President Trump alongside those decrying King George III in the Declaration of Independence and found them stunningly similar.

“It’s word for word,” she said. “Do you really need any other evidence? Now he wants to call us domestic terrorists.”

The anger in the country is palpable, and Trump is making it worse, she said.

“We need to come together,” she said. “We’ve got to find some common ground.”

— Ben Bragdon, managing editor, Sun Journal

1:05 p.m.: Musical act at No Kings in Portland

The Ideal Maine Social Aid and Sanctuary Band performs at the No Kings protest in Portland:

12:49 p.m.: No problems with large crowd in Auburn

AUBURN — There is a noticeable but not heavy police presence in downtown Auburn as protesters line both sides of a heavily trafficked street.

Police at the scene say there have been no problems with the protest or its participants.

— Ben Bragdon, managing editor, Sun Journal

12:30 p.m.: L-A crowd, fed up and joyful, protests Trump

AUBURN — Maine humorist Tim Sample worked up and entertained protesters about a half hour into Saturday’s event. By that time, people filled Great Falls Plaza and lined both sides of Longley Bridge into Lewiston, cheering, chanting and getting mostly supportive honks from passing cars.

Sample took the mic around 1230, showing a sign that showed Marines raising a flag over Iwo Jima in World War II, with the words “Antifa circa 1945.”

Nate Miller of Turner said he was protesting in honor of his grandfathers, who fought fascism in the war.

Asked what was at risk from President Trump, Miller said, “The Constitution. Birthright citizenship. Habeas corpus. People are being profiled, kidnapped and detained because of the color of his skin. That’s un-American.”

Nate Miller of Turner said he was at the protest.

— Ben Bragdon, managing editor, Sun Journal

11:50 a.m.: Waterville protesters share grief over ICE arrests

WATERVILLE – Students, families and older adults listened to speeches before noon Saturday in Veteran’s Memorial Park in Waterville.

“I don’t care if you’re five, 15, 55,” said Emilia Toth, speaker and representative from Maine Students Vote. “You have power.”

Jacob Madley, 22, who studies history at Colby College, said he is not a “protest kind of guy” but that he came to speak out against the American government.

He said he has seen people being kidnapped off the streets by ICE in his hometown of Los Angeles, California.

“Legal workers, US citizens, it doesn’t matter: They’re taking them all,” Madley said. “It’s very scary and it’s unacceptable.”

After speeches wrapped up, organizers led the crowd in singing “Keep On Moving Forward,” ending with the refrain, “never turning back.” The crowd dispersed shortly before noon.

-Hannah Kaufman, Morning Sentinel staff writer

11:47 a.m.: Crowd gathers in Auburn for noon protest

AUBURN — A crowd came together quickly at the end of the Longley Bridge in anticipation of the noon No Kings protest, organized by Resist Central Maine L-A.

Coming down the sidewalks and out of parking lots carrying signs of all kinds, the crowd coalesced around Great Falls Plaza.

Organizer Pat Fogg said she expects the crowd to exceed the 1,200 who came to a similar protest in June.

In a region that includes a lot of Republicans, Fogg said, people are starting to rethink their support of President Trump as they start to see the effects of his policies.

“Some people are losing so much,” she said. “I hate seeing people beaten on the street, being pulled off the street, a lot of them citizens, a lot of them innocent.”

Fogg said she is seeing more interest in the group’s activities, including weekly protests in Lewiston and Auburn, which are billed as resistance to the fascism they see President Trump bringing to this country.

It’s an important day, Fogg said, but also one that should be full of joy. At the group’s prompting, some protesters wore costumes: a chipmunk, a chicken and a lobster were running around early Saturday.

“It’s supposed to be a fun day too,” she said. “I told people to have fun.”

— Ben Bragdon, managing editor, Sun Journal

10:56 a.m.: Waterville crowd surges to 800

WATERVILLE – Organizers now estimate at least 800 participants are marching in Waterville.

“No kings, no way, not in Waterville, USA,” the crowd chants.

The march came to a rendezvous at Veteran’s Memorial Park at the corner of Park Street and Elm Street, where some participants have set up lawn chairs as they wait to hear speeches.

— Hannah Kaufman, staff writer Morning Sentinel

10:35 a.m.: 400 gathered in Waterville

WATERVILLE – At least 400 people have joined Waterville’s No Kings march Saturday morning, according to protest organizers.

Elizabeth Leonard, organizer, urged the crowd gathered at the Universalist Unitarian Church to remain nonviolent and use chants that are not provocative. Steve Eccher, 82, of Waterville, walks with his wife and son. He said he feels threatened by how the Trump administration has characterized the No Kings protests.

“They’ve told the public this is a hate-America gathering, which is absolutely wrong,” Eccher said. “This is a love-America gathering.”

Participants ring cow bells, beat drums and wave American flags as they walk toward Main Street. Leonard said she is seeing a rise in authoritarianism and fascism in America.

“They’re destroying everything, and we’re determined to save it,” she said.

— Hannah Kaufman, staff writer Morning Sentinel

10:30 a.m.: More than two dozen in Rangeley