Joplin, Missouri participated in the national No Kings Protest on Saturday, March 28.
The No Kings website anticipated Saturday's national No Kings protest to be the biggest. It's the organization's third protest since Trump took office in January 2025.
Attendees said the protest was 'all-encompassing'. There are several actions that the Trump administration has taken that people were protesting against, including the increased use of ICE agents, the killing of two people in Minneapolis, Minnesota, and the ongoing war in Iran. Kansas City, St. Louis, and Springfield also hosted rallies.
Two organizations hosted Joplin's event - Four States for a Free Palestine and 50501 Joplin.
Schuyler Carr attended with Four States for a Free Palestine, who said the organization "aligns with the No Kings' mission."
"In this state, in this town, we consent to giving our tax dollars to guns and bombs, no problem. I think we need to reflect on that for a little bit and maybe purchase things like food and health care instead," said Carr.
Four States for a Free Palestine is a local organization that stands in solidarity with the people in Gaza and the West Bank.
Joplin's 50501 is a national grassroots organization formed around the idea of 50 protests in 50 states in one day. The organization started in early February from a Reddit thread.
The No Kings website said the protests are to be peaceful and family-friendly.
There was a wide range of ages protesting throughout the day. One resident was there with his wife and two kids, hoping the protest would have a lasting impact on his 11-year-old daughter.
Joplin resident Stacey Sarahkinis attended the event, sporting a bright pink beanie resembling a human brain.
"There's a lot of corruption and things happening in our government right now, and we are the people; we have to stand up. And if we don't stand up, there's nobody else to do it for us," Sarahkinis said.
Another resident, Richard H. Roberts, said he felt like it was his duty to attend the protest.
"And this is a country of the people, by the people, and for the people. And if you just stay home and you hide in your house and do nothing and be intimidated, then evil wins," Roberts said.
Indivisible Joplin hosted a donation drive and resource fair at Leonard Park. Jenna Ehrhardt with the organization told KRPS in an email that the event was for residents to "stop by on their way to the protest."
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