Thousands of Mainers gathered in protest against the Trump administration Saturday as part of the third nationwide “No Kings” demonstrations, which organizers say could be the largest day of protest in U.S. history.

Protests were held in dozens locations across Maine, from larger urban areas like Portland, Lewiston-Auburn and Bangor to smaller towns as far and wide as Bethel, Eastport and Fort Kent.

Demonstrators got together in opposition to President Donald Trump’s attempts to consolidate and expand his power, the war in Iran, and the fatal shootings of two people, Renee Good and Alex Pretti, by federal agents during a January surge of immigration enforcement in Minnesota.

Indivisible, the activist organization spearheading the protests, said more than 9 million people were expected to turn out nationwide at over 3,000 planned demonstrations. Organizers said more than 5 million people took to the streets at the first round of “No Kings” protests last June, followed by more than 7 million during a second set of demonstrations in October.

“We’re going to be everywhere,” Indivisible co-founder Ezra Levin said.

About 100,000 protesters were expected at the flagship rally in Minneapolis, where tensions remain elevated in the wake of the killings of Good and Pretti. That event will include appearances by musicians Bruce Springsteen and Joan Baez, actor and activist Jane Fonda, and U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt.

Follow along for live updates from our journalists in Portland, Lewiston-Auburn, Augusta, Waterville and elsewhere across Maine on Saturday.

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No Kings demonstrators hit Maine streets

3:40 p.m.: No Kings rally wraps up in Waterville

WATERVILLE — As the protest finished up Saturday, Beth Schiller, of Waterville, read the names of people who died in ICE custody or at the hands of ICE agents since Jan. 20, 2025.

After Schiller finished reading 42 names, speaker Peter Wohl asked protesters to depart in silence “holding the names of this small number of the current regime’s victims close to your hearts.”

— Abigail Pritchard, staff writer

3:20 p.m.: Speakers and music rouse crowd in Waterville

WATERVILLE — Fifteen-year-old Maddie Andreozzi followed retired town manager Ella Bowman as speakers in Waterville this afternoon.

“It’s not fair how a child like myself should have to fear my friends will be taken off the streets by some masked ice agent,” Andreozzi said. “I should be worrying about doing my chemistry homework … Instead, I am worried about my friends or myself being kidnapped off the street.”

The crowds cheered Andreozzi and Bowman throughout their speeches, as passersby honked horns and yelled from the street above.

Jerzy Wieczorek and the Anti-Fa La Las played songs between speeches.

— Abigail Pritchard, staff writer

2:45 p.m.: Faisal Kahn takes the stage in Waterville

WATERVILLE — The energy in the crowd was high as Faisal Kahn, executive director of the Greater Portland Immigrant Welcome Center, began speaking Saturday afternoon.

“Is this the America we want for our children?” Kahn asked to loud cries of “no” from the crowd.

“You cannot speak of justice while terrorizing communities at home,” Kahn said, speaking against Israel’s attacks in Gaza and U.S. bombs in Iran.

The crowd called out “shame” as Kahn spoke about how foreign wars have hurt children, and how the Trump administration’s immigration crackdown has hurt children in the U.S.

— Abigail Pritchard, staff writer

2:11 p.m.: Protesters cross Two Cent Bridge in Waterville

WATERVILLE — Protesters carried signs and chanted while crossing Two Cent Bridge on their way Saturday afternoon to Head of Falls for the No Kings rally.

— Anna Chadwick, staff photographer

2 p.m.: Protest wraps up in Auburn

AUBURN — Following a final speech from Resist Central Maine L-A organizer Pat Fogg, the No Kings protest in Auburn concluded.

After her speech, Fogg echoed the need for each other during times like this, and for whenever there is a difficult moment in our country.

“It’s a give-and-take system,” said Fogg. “Whenever there’s something bad going on in our country, we lean on one another for support and this is the way we show it when it’s not just us but nationwide. We wanted our voices heard, and they were heard loud and clear.”

She says at the age of 81, the enthusiasm of the crowds continue to keep her going.

“Every time I see these crowds, their excitement continues to keep me organizing these events,” said Fogg. “Even if it’s for an hour, a few minutes, or even a day, I want to make sure people let out their true feelings.”

Dixfield resident Danielle Williams, 44, says it was great to see all the support protestors saw, especially from motorists honking their horns.

“It felt like every second someone was honking their horn and it makes me feel like I’m making a difference,” said Williams. “In talking to the people around me, all of us waving our hands to show support, it felt like a real community feeling. And that’s something that can’t be ignored, especially with how we’re feeling.”

— Mathew Jaroncyk, staff writer

1:54 p.m.: Protesters in Waterville march to No Kings rally

WATERVILLE — In Waterville, walking in groups of about 30, protesters were seen marching to Head of Falls from different spots across town, converging on Temple Street.

Debbie, 70, who did not want to share her last name, said she’s surprised by how few young people are in attendance.

“There should be Colby (College) and Thomas College kids here,” she said.

— Abigail Pritchard, staff writer

1:51 p.m.: Waterville rally about to get started

WATERVILLE — Protesters gathered Saturday afternoon at Head of Falls Park while a band played the national anthem.

The theme of Waterville’s protest is “This is what democracy looks like,” and signs focused on the war in Iran, the Epstein files and featured anti-ICE messaging.

Ten minutes before the protest started about 70 people were gathered.

— Abigail Pritchard, staff writer

1:49 p.m.: No Kings march wraps up in Portland

PORTLAND — Demonstrators finished their march through Old Port on Saturday as they walked up Center Street and back to Monument Square.

— Brianna Soukup, staff photographer

1:40 p.m.: Protesters sing Pete Seeger and Lewiston mayor rallies crowd

LEWISTON — Mainers in Auburn continued to holler and cheer early Saturday afternoon on Longley Bridge.

Many songs were sung, including Pete Seeger’s “We Shall Overcome,” an iconic protest song.

For Auburn resident, Brian Coffin, 51, this song hits home.

“This is a song about what is happening right now in this moment,” said Coffin. “There’s so many things that are going wrong right now and this is a testament to the people who have come out, saying ‘we’re not voting for Donald Trump’ and it shows. This is our cry.”

Maine humorist Tim Sample spoke a little after 1 p.m., asking Mainers a list of questions about whether a king or a president would do.

“You decide one day to capture the president of Venezuela and bring him to New York. Is that a president or a king?” said Sample.

“King!” shouted the crowd.

“Right. We have to get Donald Trump out of office and ICE out of the state of Maine,” said Sample.

Lewiston Mayor Carl Sheline was also in attendance at the protest, telling Mainers that this is not the America we know.

“President Donald Trump wanted an American-first agenda,” said Sheline. “This is not America first. In fact this is putting our people dead last. This isn’t the America we know. Your voice matters, your advocacy matters.”

— Mathew Jaroncyk, staff writer

1:32 p.m.: Demonstrators rally on Longley Bridge between Lewiston, Auburn

LEWISTON — Hundreds of protesters held signs, played music and cheered at cars driving by Saturday on Longley Bridge. Cars honked in support on their way past.

— Russ Dillingham, staff photographer

1:15 p.m.: Protesters march through the Old Port

PORTLAND — Following the rally in Monument Square on Saturday afternoon, protesters began walking the streets through the Old Port, carrying signs and chanting.

— Brianna Soukup, staff photographer

1:10 p.m.: Portland rally comes to a close

PORTLAND — “It’s easy right now to feel powerless,” organizer Jacob Ellis said. “But we refuse to give up. We the people have the power, and we are going to use it.”

Noise makers, songs and chants rang through the streets of downtown Portland as thousands of No Kings protesters marched to Susan Collins’ office Saturday afternoon.

A sea of bright signs and flags, demonstrators sang as they walked.

“We take care of each other, yes we do,” they sang.

— Sydney Richelieu, staff writer

12:40 p.m.: Protesters hit the streets in Augusta

AUGUSTA — The large crowd that gathered at the Maine State House has dispersed and are now walking to Cony Circle, Calumet Bridge, Memorial Bridge and Memorial Circle.

— Anna Chadwick, staff photographer

12:50 p.m.: Speakers continue to inspire Portland crowd

PORTLAND — “We the people have the power!” organizer Jacob Ellis chanted.

“We the people have the power!” The crowd of thousands cheered back.

Kelly Brennan, a nurse at Maine Medical Center, took the stage Saturday afternoon.

“I know we are deadly serious about protecting our society from falling off an authoritarian cliff,” she said. “We can and we must win this fight.”

“Are you with me?” Brennan asked the crowd.

“Yes!” The crowd responded.

“Let’s keep building power together,” she said.

— Sydney Richelieu, staff writer

12:49 p.m.: Crowd swells as protest continues in Auburn, mix of young and old Mainers

AUBURN — The crowd at the Longley Bridge in Auburn continued to grow early Saturday afternoon, with people gathering on both sides of the bridge.

Mainers at the protest began singing songs, including musician Stan Davis doing a parody of “If You’re Happy and Know It” about topics including removing President Trump and no war in Iran.

While the crowd looked to be a mix of older Mainers, younger protesters were scattered among them. Kai Thomas, 18, attended the No Kings protest with her friends.

She says it’s nice to see young Mainers getting into politics and taking a stance on issues that will be affecting their future.

“I was expecting that we’d be the only the people here for the younger generation,” said Thomas. “But to see so many young people here is great and encouraging. An older gentleman told us moments before that he’s thankful to see so many young people out here, and that goes to show that we want the outcome of our future to be better.”

Kirk Read, 67, of Auburn, says he’s glad to see so many young people coming out and supporting the protest, calling it a “unified fight.”

“You know it’s great to see the young people out here,” said Read. “While this was our nation when us older people were younger, we’re going to be passing it to a younger generation in a much worse situation than we’ve ever seen. We need to come together to make this the best possible outcome we can.”

— Matthew Jaroncyk, staff writer

12:46 p.m.: Speakers address crowd at Maine State House in Augusta

AUGUSTA — Speakers have begun addressing the crowd at the No Kings protest going on at the Maine State House in Augusta.

— Anna Chadwick, staff photographer

12:35 p.m.: Dogs get in on the Portland protest action

PORTLAND — Bailey, a 3 year-old golden retriever, attended Saturday’s “No Kings” protest in Portland with his owner, Sarah Kinney, of Portland.

“He hates the king of shame,” Kinney said. “For me, there are too many reasons to be here.”

Another protester, Meghan Vigeant, echoed Kinney’s statement.

Vigeant and her friends had spent Friday night painting a sign with a powerful message for the protest.

There are “a lot” of reasons to attend the protest, Vigeant said.

“At the bottom of it is, we want to live in a country where people love and respect each other. What’s happening right now is not that,” Vigeant said. “Part of being able to do that is being able to speak up and show up. That’s what democracy is.”

— Sydney Richelieu, staff writer

12:26 p.m.: Activist asks Portland crowd, ‘If not us, then who?’

PORTLAND — “If we’re going to fight back and fight to get our democracy back, we’d better get really loud,” Faisal Khan said at Saturday’s “No Kings” protest in Portland.

The crowd erupted in cheers. Drums beat behind the stage.

Khan, executive director of the Greater Portland Immigrant Welcome Center, spoke to the crowd about democracy, ICE attacks across the country and the future of America.

“If not us, then who? If not now, then when?” he asked the crowd.

All eyes were trained on Khan as he spoke.

“Is this the America we want for ourselves and for our children?” he asked.

“No!” the crowd cheered.

— Sydney Richelieu, staff writer

12:04 p.m.: Speakers take the stage at Portland protest

PORTLAND — “No kings, no crowns, the people won’t back down!” a chant erupted through Portland’s Monument Square during the third No Kings protest Saturday.

Organizer Jacob Ellis estimated a crowd of “thousands” in Portland, joining protests across the country.

“The power belongs to the people,” Ellis said. “When ICE came to Maine, people stood up. On Nov. 3, the people will stand up to Susan Collins and send her packing.”

Cheers broke out, ringing through downtown Portland.

“In America, we have no kings,” Ellis said.

Nearby, Lisa Shepherd worked to knit resistance hats, first popularized in Norway.

Beside her were her husband, Weston Shepherd, and daughter, Madeline Shepherd, 9.

“We just want to be a part of the community and show our support,” Lisa Shepherd said. “This is my daughter’s future.”

— Sydney Richelieu, staff writer

11:53 a.m.: Crowds starting to gather at Longley Bridge for noon protest

AUBURN — Residents in Auburn and its surrounding communities started to gather at the end of Longley Bridge for Saturday’s No Kings protest at noon, organized by Resist Central Maine L-A.

People were grouped at the end of the bridge, some bringing signs displaying messages like “Trump is a Racist” and “A True President Protests Free Speech, Freedom of the Press,” among others.

Organizer Pat Fogg says she expected there to be upwards of 1,000 people at the protest.

She said she wanted people to have their voices heard about all the issues going on across the country, from high gas prices to limiting freedom.

“For this country, as wealthy as we are, for as powerful as we are, to be in the situation we’re in, it’s shameful,” Fogg said.

Jennifer Alexander, 41, of Wales, said she’s been active in participating in many No Kings protests across the state.

She said it’s deeply important for people who are upset with how the country is going to come out to these protests, stressing the importance of coming together, in what she says is “deeply concerning times.”

“I’m deeply concerned about the state of the United States government,” said Alexander. “Myself, as well as others, have seen what the President has done and were sick of it. We’re tired of it.”

-Matthew Jaroncyk, staff writer

11:40 a.m.: Portland protesters gather in Monument Square

Portland’s Monument Square was filled with colorful signs and American flags Saturday morning during the city’s third “No Kings” protest.

A silhouette of Donald Trump’s face soared high above the crowd.

“Dump Him,” the sign read.

Erica Paul and Sam Richardson said they joined the protest because they are “really disappointed” in the path the country is on.

“Our loved ones and ourselves are in danger from all of the policies that have passed,” Paul said. “It’s important for us to gather in community and get some real action started.”

— Sydney Richelieu, staff writer

11 a.m.: Wiscasset No Kings protest underway

Hundreds of protesters lined Route 1 in Wiscasset on Saturday morning. Protests were happening across the state beginning in the morning, and expected through the afternoon.

—Drew Johnson, staff writer

This story contains reporting from The Associated Press.