Saturday marked the third round of No Kings protests, joining more than 3,000 events nationwide and internationally.
Lisa Walker of Macon Action, a Franklin-area non-partisan advocacy group, estimated at least 400 individuals turned out for the protest thanks to organizers counting the crowd with a clicker.
Protesters carried signs and joined chants broadly critical of President Donald Trump and his administration’s policies, criticizing ongoing controversies ranging from high tariffs, immigration enforcement and unconstitutional behavior to more recently the administration’s handling of legal documents related to notorious billionaire and sex-trafficker Jeffery Epstein and the administration’s war in Iran.
The No Kings organization reported more than 3,100 events in all 50 states and internationally. While the Franklin No Kings protest was organized by Macon Action, Walker said Macon Action worked closely with other protests held in Sylva and Highlands. Additional protests were organized in Bryson City, Murphy, Hayesville and Clayton. The times of gatherings were staggered so attendees could attend multiple gatherings if desired.
“We used to not do anything in Franklin and all of our Franklin people went up to Highlands,” Walker said. “Then we said, ‘You know what, we really need to do something here in our county seat.’”
Mike Gillen, a Franklin resident since 2017, said, “I’m here for the feeling of solidarity with people who are opposed to the policies of Trump.” He said he wants to see more support for social programs, particularly education, “that benefit all of society.”
“I’m retired and very comfortable,” Gillen said. “I’m not looking for a handout, but I believe it is in the best interest of society that we take care of everyone.”
He said he was especially concerned about political polarization and the tendency to isolate into their own camps rather than working together across the aisle.
“I consider myself really as a moderate who is concerned about social issues,” he said.
Dianne Dodge said she attended to protest “the way the government is run, the lies … and don’t forget the Epstein Files.”
Debbie Tallent said, “He’s sidestepping Congress and telling them what they need to be doing instead of them, Congress, telling him. He’s sidestepping the constitution.”
Beverly Vanhook-Schrey said, “We don’t need foreign wars, we need healthcare.”
Kelley Curtis said, “I’m really upset that Congress is not stopping some of the illegal things the government is doing, from immigration, to Iran, to Venezuela.”
A retired teacher, Curtis said she was also concerned about the administration’s expressed goal of dismantling of the Department of Education. “One small group of people is controlling the whole country and they’re all rich,” she said.