Hundreds show up at the Riverwalk to say what’s on their minds

by Karin Parham

Augusta, GA – Hundreds turned out at Augusta’s 8th Street Plaza Saturday afternoon for the city’s No Kings rally, part of a nationwide wave of demonstrations coordinated by Indivisible and 50501. Georgia alone had more than 40 events scheduled. Organizer Ellie Benson estimated the Augusta crowd at more than 1,000.

Benson, who sits on Indivisible CSRA’s steering committee and co-convenes the Indivisible Georgia Coalition, named both President Trump and Rep. Rick Allen as targets of the protest. “We are not going to have any kings in this country,” she said. “So we’re standing up.”

Community organizations lined the plaza with tables. Among them were the League of Women Voters of the CSRA, Out & Proud Augusta, the CSRA Peace Alliance, Reproductive Freedom for All, and the Columbia County Democratic Committee. These organizations were offering voter registration, information on contacting local officials and more ways to become more active in the community. Some attendees said Saturday was their first time taking any political action.

It wouldn’t be a protest or a rally without signs. The signs ranged wide: immigration enforcement, book banning, war, and scientific funding. One attendee carried a sign listing 15 people who died in ICE custody by name and age. Someone showed up in an inflatable frog costume.

Press liaison Naomi Barr said the turnout reflected how many people feel right now. “A lot of people are scared,” she said. “They feel like their voices are being marginalized.” She described No Kings as a chance to see the scale of shared concern. “It’s not just in Augusta, it’s not just in Atlanta — it’s everywhere.”

Saturday marked the third round of No Kings mobilizations, following demonstrations in June and October 2025.