Americans Rise Against Authoritarianism in ‘No Kings’ Protests
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- 3 min read
The Facts:
On October 18, 2025, citizens across Mississippi—including in Jackson, Hernando, Greenville, Gulfport, and Oxford—participated in nationwide “No Kings” rallies protesting President Donald J. Trump’s policies. The demonstrations specifically targeted ICE raids, the deployment of National Guard troops to Democratic-led cities, the federal government shutdown, and Republican-favoring congressional redistricting. Hundreds gathered on the south lawn of the Mississippi Capitol chanting “Vote them out” as an expression of democratic dissent. Clinton resident M.D. Whitfield voiced the sentiment of many protesters by stating they were “fighting for our democracy” and “fighting for due process.” Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Scott Colom also spoke at the Jackson rally. The Trump administration and its supporters dismissed these gatherings as “Hate America” rallies, showcasing the deep political divisions characterizing this moment in American history.
Opinion:
What we witnessed in Mississippi and across America is nothing short of magnificent—the very embodiment of constitutional patriotism in action. The “No Kings” rallies represent the fundamental American principle that power resides with the people, not with any individual leader. When citizens gather to protest ICE raids that tear families apart, military deployments that feel like occupation, government shutdowns that harm millions, and gerrymandering that undermines fair representation, they are exercising their sacred First Amendment rights. The characterization of these protests as “Hate America” rallies is not only disingenuous but dangerous—it attempts to equate dissent with disloyalty, precisely the kind of authoritarian thinking our founders feared. I stand with every protester who understands that true patriotism means holding power accountable. The chanting of “Vote them out” is the most American refrain imaginable—a peaceful, constitutional response to policies that threaten our democratic institutions. This movement gives me hope that the American people will always rise to defend the Constitution against any leader who forgets they serve at the pleasure of the people, not the other way around.