“History has shown that true strength not only comes from one ruler, but from people standing together,” one organizer said, addressing the crowd. “We believe in equality and freedom, and the right that every person can shape their own future without fear or oppression.”

No Kings events were held around the country on Saturday. In Marshall, more than 400 people gathered in Memorial Park, local organizers said. People spread out along the edges of Main Street and East College Drive, holding homemade signs. The two-hour event also included speakers, live music and songs that the crowd joined in on.

Saturday was the second time that area residents showed up for a No Kings event in Marshall. In October, roughly 300 people gathered at Memorial Park.

Some of the people in the crowd Saturday traveled to Marshall to take part in the rally. Ted Winter said he started out the day by taking part in a smaller No Kings event in Pipestone before coming to Marshall.

Photo by Deb Gau A participant at the Marshall No Kings event held up a hand-painted sign. Organizers at the Marshall event estimated that more than 400 people gathered at Memorial Park.

“It’s wonderful to have such a gathering of people who are consciously looking around them,” Winter said. He said the No Kings protests were a chance to raise public awareness of important issues. “It makes people think about what’s going on around them,” he said.

“The fact that we’re all here today reflects our love for our country, the Constitution, and our compassion for other people,” said Jesus Hernandez, who was one of the speakers at the Marshall No Kings rally. “Being on the corner like this is just one of the many ways that we make a difference … We are the face of those that are not here because they couldn’t make the trip, they’re afraid, or they just didn’t have the time.”

Speakers at the No Kings event emphasized how Marshall’s diversity was a positive for the community, and called on people to come together to support each other.

“We know that our community is made stronger by the diversity of thought and idea, the people who bring so many different stories to make up who Marshall is. And that’s why we come out here,” said speaker Julie Walker.

Walker urged participants to speak out, and to be active in their community.

“We need to call on our legislators to represent what we value, to represent the people that they have been elected to represent,” Walker said. “Let’s keep being engaged. Let’s do mutual aid. Be engaged with your community members … get involved with politics. This is our country, this is our state, this is our city, and it works when we get involved. But we have to show our voices.”