Over 1,000 rally for 'No Kings' protest in Coeur d'Alene

COEUR d’ALENE — At 85 years old, it was no easy feat for Post Falls resident Marilyn Otto to attend Saturday’s "No Kings" protest along U.S. 95.

But with the help of friends, Otto made sure her voice was heard.

“There’s been a lack of respect for the rule of law,” Otto said. “I’m saying ‘no’ to tyranny.”

“We love America,” added Coeur d’Alene resident Kara Kral. “This is not an ‘I hate America’ rally.”

The "No Kings Day of Peaceful Action" brought together over seven million people across all 50 states, "in nonviolent defiance of authoritarianism and affirming that this nation belongs to its people, not to kings," according to a press release from nokings.org.

While the first "No Kings" protest in June attracted several hundred people to the corner of U.S. 95 and Appleway Avenue, Saturday’s turnout was over 1,000.

For about three hours, protesters waved flags, homemade signs, and sang songs like “God Bless America” and “This Land is Your Land.” A small crowd stayed around into the evening, still holding signs and waving to drivers.

“This is our movement,” said organizer Julie Celeberti. “There is always power in the people.”

As with the demonstration in June, a group of counter-protesters also assembled on the opposite side of U.S. 95.

Some passersby expressed their disapproval by shouting at the protesters from their vehicles or “rolling coal,” which involves purposeful emission of large amounts of exhaust.

Even so, "No Kings" protesters appeared undeterred.

“These people are absolutely courageous,” Celeberti said. 

Over seven million people across the country participated in "No Kings" demonstrations across the country Saturday.

Protestors held signs and waved flags along U.S. 95 in Coeur d'Alene on Saturday.