No Kings 3: Music, Flags, Fiery Speakers, and Family Fun

2,000–3,000 people showed up in Concord — part of the largest single-day protest in U.S. history!

On Saturday, March 28, 2026, between 8 and 9 million people participated in over 3,000 No Kings events around the country. The momentum against Trump and his cult is growing, and these huge displays of public disapproval are a major contributing force.

Our Concord event was inspiring, positive, and fun — if a bit chilly — with wonderful turnout from families and young children.

Huge thanks to our speakers, former governor Deval Patrick, former ambassador Rufus Gifford, Lt. Governor Kim Driscoll, and our wonderful emcee, Diane Proctor.

Many thanks also to the volunteers who played music, marshaled, carried puppets, held letter signs, painted faces, distributed flyers, and brought a great spirit to the event.

And, of course, thanks to the partners who helped pull off the event: Concord Town Democratic Committee, Concord-Carlisle League of Women Voters, and Reclaim Our Democracy!

Deval Patrick:

“If we stand together,

If we work together,

If we pray together, hope together and build together,

If organize and vote (in every contest in every election),

If we turn to each other, instead of on each other,

Then we will do more than end the behaviors of a would-be king, critical as that is. We will also live the democracy we deserve. That is our hope and our job. Thank you for hoping enough to show up today. Now, let’s go do the work.”

Full text of Deval Patrick’s speech

Rufus Gifford:

“Have you ever heard Donald Trump use even remotely similar language about the likes of Vladimir Putin as he has about those of us here today? After the death of the Ayatollah he tweeted that the greatest threat to the US that remains is the “enemy within” represented by the Democratic Party. How dare he?

But in many ways, this type of authoritarianism is exactly what our country was designed to fight against. What brings us all here today.

So yes — “No Kings” matters.

It matters deeply.

It is a necessary defense of the idea that no one is above the law.

But here’s the thing we have to be honest about:

We cannot just be against something. We will win a lot of elections, including what I believe will be a landslide in November, because of Trump’s recklessness and callousness; but in the long term we have to define the future we want.

We have to be FOR something.”

Draft text of Rufus Gifford’s speech

Diane Proctor:

“Folks, the world is not normal! When our government wantonly attacks law firms, universities, scientists, and- oh, yes -other countries…and deprives states of financial resources that leave citizens bereft of much-needed health care and food, we know it is not normal. When masked assailants, looking like Darth Vader, kidnap innocent immigrants and children and imprison them in vast ICE holding pens, it is not normal. Indeed, our own Henry David Thoreau warned almost two hundred years ago, “A government that deliberately enacts injustice, and persists in it, will at length, ever become the laughing stock of the world.” How embarrassing it is to be us!”

Your comments:

“We feel compelled to protest the tyrant, who has already destroyed so much of our great country! And in spite of that horror, there was joy in the Concord gathering – lots of kids, face painting, Deval Patrick, Rufus Gifford, and Lt. Gov. Kim Driscoll speaking. We brought hope out of the darkness!”

“The speakers were excellent, the crowd upbeat, well organized, and I’m feeling more hopeful.”

“Fantastic! All three speakers were terrific! The crowd was inspiring, too. Lots of good signs and good spirit! Congratulations to the organizers. And thank you.”

“I believe that trump, his administration and his supporters are a huge threat to our democracy. Showing up for no kings is one way that I can take action in support of our democracy and our constitution.”