People of all ages gathered to express dissatisfaction with the Trump administration.
By Klaus Obermeit
Original Air Date: October 22, 2025
Host: A memorial for Charlie Kirk this Saturday attracted 3,000 supporters and state Republican leaders to Robarts Arena in Sarasota. Simultaneously, ‘No Kings’ protests brought thousands to the streets in this area, in Bradenton, at University Parkway near UTC, in North Port, Englewood, Venice, and in downtown Sarasota. Klaus Obermeit reports from Payne Park in Sarasota.
Klaus Obermeit: Hundreds of people gathered Saturday morning in downtown Sarasota for one of about 2,500 No Kings protests across the country voicing opposition to the Trump administration.
The day’s events began with a series of speeches by young people. Zander Moricz, founder of the SEE Alliance, gave local events a national importance.
Zander Moricz
Zander Moricz: Yesterday, the Washington Post sounded the alarm, and every parent, every student, every teacher in the United States needs to be listening. Here’s what they reported: Right now, a billionaire-backed operation is quietly trying to take over Sarasota and Manatee County public schools. Can I get a “boo”?
Crowd: Boo!
ZM: How is this happening? A new state law lets for-profit charter corporations move into public school buildings rent-free.
Crowd: Boo!
ZM: This is already happening in over 100 campuses that have been targeted, and some are still filled with students. Remember, these billionaire-backed corporations don’t have to pay a dime. We are paying the dime with our taxpayer dollars. Make no mistake: If we don’t stop it here, this is going to arrive on the doorstep of every state legislature in the country, this is going to arrive in every school district in the country, and this is going to be every family’s problem. So what are we going to do?
Crowd: Stop it here!
ZM: What are we going to do?
Crowd: [unintelligible]
ZM: What are we going to do?
Crowd: [unintelligible]
ZM: That’s right. That’s why this moment matters. Because Sarasota County—Manatee County—we are more than just a headline right now. We are the front line. Give it up for yourselves. We are the front line.
Demonstrators gather at Payne Park
[Crowd cheers]
KO: A young high school student shared her feelings about the Trump administration’s anti-immigration crackdown.
Student: I have friends who come to school terrified not because of tests or grades but because they don’t know their parents will be home when they walk through the door. I’ve seen students cry quietly at their desks when news breaks about arrests.
KO: After the speeches, the rally moved to Highway 301 as protestors lined both sides of the street from Fruitville Road south, past Main Street and Ringling Boulevard, well past the tag office.
Protesters shouted, yelled, played music and waved their signs as motorists drove past, many of them honking their horns in support. Local police were on hand to keep protesters limited safely to the sidewalks.
Two Corgi dogs were seen. One was a young woman inside a Corgi costume.
“When hate is loud, love must be louder”, reads the sign of a protester in an inflatable unicorn costume.
KO: I’m talking to Odette. And you’re inside a costume?
Odette: It’s like a Corgi. Corgi. Like a dog.
KO: A Corgi dog? Alright. And what’s the point?
O: It’s to show that this is ridiculous and that we shouldn’t have to fight for our rights—that it should be an automatic right. To show that Trump is ridiculous.
KO: So you’re making fun of Trump by wearing a Corgi costume?
O: Yes.
KO: Sitting next to her was a lady with a real Corgi dog.
KO: It has a sign saying, “Keep your paws and laws off my mom.” And who am I speaking with here?
Jess: My name’s Jess.
KO: And, Jess, you have a sign that says, “God forbid a girl wants justice and liberty for all.” On the flip side, it says “Democracy needs your courage.”
J: I’m sorry. I get super emotional trying to talk about it. I get kind-of choked up.
KO: That’s okay. What are you so angry about?
J: Just the way the world’s going. So much hate, violence. We’re protecting guns, not children. We’re kidnapping people in broad daylight. Women’s rights are gone.
The Veterans for Common Sense march at No Kings.
KO: Both young and old joined the protest.
KO: Talking to Jim Keeney. Jim, you’ve been in Sarasota for how long?
Jim Keeney: Oh, 30 years, I guess—or more now.
KO: They say that the demonstrators are being paid for demonstrating. How much are you being paid for holding the American flag?
JK: I’m taking my pay in sunshine today.
KO: Then I talked to a young couple.
KO: I see you’re carrying a sign that says, “Real patriots defend the country, not the president,” and you’re carrying a sign that says—it’s a picture of Trump and Epstein and says “Free babysitting.” How old are you?
“It’s so confusing”
Demonstrator 1: I’m 20. Just turned 20.
Demonstrator 2: 19.
KO: 19 and 20. Well, you’re very young. A lot of old people here. Good to see some young people.
Demonstrator 1: I was actually really surprised by the turnout of the older folks today, but it made me really happy to see everyone out here—made me really emotional, actually. Even more surprised to see more older people than young ones. I’m here for my family today. I’m really happy to be walking. I was really happy to see everyone out here.
KO: How do you mean that you’re here for your family?
Demonstrator 1: My family have been living here for a very long time. They make this state beautiful. They’re part of the reason why we have tourists. My friends’ families make Sarasota beautiful—the landscaping, the hotels that everybody stays at. They get cleaned.
KO: Are your parents immigrants?
Demonstrator 1: Yeah. I’m first generation. I was born here. The rest of my family was born in Mexico.
KO: What’s your name?
Connor: My name’s Connor.
Demonstrators gather at Payne Park
KO: And how old are you?
C: 10.
KO: 10 years old. And you’re holding a sign that says “I love the Bill of Rights. Not a terrorist; a fifth grader.” I’ve heard reports that people are getting paid to demonstrate. Are you being paid to demonstrate? No? So, is this your first demonstration?
C: Yeah.
KO: How do you like it?
C: I love it.
KO: You love it? Okay, great. Thank you very much.
KO: This is Klaus Obermeit reporting for WSLR and Pacifica Radio Network.
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