Hundreds of Hudson Valley residents gathered Saturday for the third iteration of a “No Kings” protest march, joining demonstrations at more than 3,000 locations across the United States and abroad in opposition to the Trump administration.

The march, organized by Newburgh Resists — a local chapter of the national advocacy organization Indivisible — followed a route through the city’s downtown, taking demonstrators along Colden Street to Waters Street, up Washington Street and back to Colden Street.

Participants waved signs and chanted slogans including “No hate no fear, immigrants are welcome here,” drawing honks of support from passing motorists. At one point, the engineer of a passing train waved at the crowd.

Turnout exceeded previous marches held in October and June of 2025, and many attendees were returning participants.

“It’s important for us to be showing that we are real Americans that love our country and believe in our country and believe it can be better than it currently is,” said Melanie Schmitt, a New Paltz resident attending her third No Kings march.

Organizers emphasized that the event was intended to serve as a starting point for continued civic action rather than an end in itself.

“Protests need to be seen as launching pads versus landing pads,” said one organizer, who noted that coalitions formed through the marches have continued to grow. “It has to be seen as a launching off point to continue the work, because it doesn’t end when we go home.”

Along Colden Street, older demonstrators who could not walk the route sat in lawn chairs holding signs while tables staffed by community organizations distributed information and gathered petition signatures. The Mid-Hudson Valley DSA and For the Many shared information about legislative initiatives they support, while the Town of Newburgh Democratic Committee registered voters and collected signatures for nominating petitions.

Following the march, demonstrators gathered on a hillside for a rally featuring speakers and performers from several community organizations. The program opened with the medicine song choir from the Newburgh Sanctuary Garden, who performed resistance songs from Indigenous American traditions. A member of the Sisters of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary in New Windsor then offered a prayer.

Iridian Riccobono Lucas, an organizer with the Columbia County Sanctuary Movement, urged attendees to maintain pressure on state governments.

“It truly does bring me hope to see all of us gathered here today, showing up for one another, and I ask that you continue to show up,” she said.

Gabrielle Gray, representing a group called Singing Resistance Newburgh, led the crowd in several protest songs before the final speaker, Shelby Aho of For the Many, addressed the crowd.

“If our votes and our voices didn’t matter, the greedy and the corrupt would not seek so tirelessly to suppress it,” Aho said.

The event drew a single counterprotestor, who attempted to disrupt the rally but was drowned out by the crowd.

Newburgh native Kathy Lawrence said she hoped the day left participants energized for the work ahead.

“I hope that everyone in the march and rally feels the love… understands that this is a movement fueled by love and justice, and that we all take strength from that for the days ahead where we are going to have to fight for our democracy and fight for our constitution,” she said.

Organizer Megan Galbraith said Saturday’s turnout reflected the strength of organizing efforts over the past year.

“I think it was a really powerful display of community in Newburgh,” Galbraith said.

“We continue to fight against the administration from municipalities to state and county levels, and at the federal level with Pat Ryan, and we’re proud to be a part of that.”