Montclair Residents Rally For Massive ‘No Kings’ Protest At Brookdale Park

MONTCLAIR, NJ — “No Kings” protests against the Trump administration took place over the weekend across New Jersey, including in Montclair.

More than five million people attended over 2,100 events across the country on Saturday, according to an estimate from the ALCU. That included a large rally at Brookdale Park in Montclair/Bloomfield – the site of other recent protests.

More than 9,000 people attended the local rally, according to a post from the Montclair Democratic County Committee, which shared video footage from the scene. BlueWaveNJ also helped to spearhead the Brookdale Park protest.

"In America, we don't do kings," the Montclair Dems wrote in an email prior to the rally. "They’ve defied our courts, deported Americans, disappeared people off the streets, attacked our civil rights, and slashed our services. The corruption has gone too. far. No thrones. No crowns. No kings."

Demonstrators carried umbrellas and signs that read “This Flag Stands For Freedom Not Fascism” and “Resist.” Others hefted messages that declared “No Human Is Illegal” and “No Dictators In America.”

Attendees included several local elected officials, including the two top-vote getters in the Democratic primary election for governor: U.S. Rep. Mikie Sherrill and Newark Mayor Ras Baraka. Other attendees include U.S. Rep. LaMonica Mclver, who represents Montclair and other towns in the 10th district.

The protests were organized independently across the nation by local advocacy groups and community members. Other nearby rallies took place in Bloomfield, Caldwell, Glen Ridge, Newark and South Orange.

Last weekend’s protests were timed for President Donald Trump’s 79th birthday. A military parade also took place in Washington D.C. on June 14, although Trump has said the event was meant to celebrate 250 years of the U.S. Army and Flag Day – not necessarily his birthday.

The No Kings rallies have seen both cheers and criticism from New Jersey residents.

“I support the protest,” MaryAnn Schaeffer told Patch prior to Saturday’s rally. The Montclair resident said she attended a previous anti-Trump rally at Brookdale Park in April and was inspired, but also wanted to see protesters march in the streets – which would add “more energy.”

Ed Cimasko disagreed.

“These people are nuts,” Cimasko told Patch. “The protestors have way too much time on their hands.”

PREVIOUS PROTESTS

A series of protests have been taking place against the Trump administration, Elon Musk and the ongoing federal budget cuts since the president took office.

More than 1,200 rallies of various sizes took place across the United States on April 5, with some sources estimating the overall attendance at over a million people. Local “Hands Off!” protests were held in Bloomfield, Glen Ridge, Maplewood, Montclair and West Caldwell. Read More: Anti-Trump Protesters Hit The Streets In Essex County (PHOTOS)

Another round of protests took place on April 19, with local rallies taking place in Bloomfield, Glen Ridge and West Caldwell. Read More: Protesters Bash Trump In 3 Essex County Towns Over Easter Holiday Weekend

A third major wave of protests happened on May 1, with two candidates for New Jersey governor attending rallies in Bloomfield and West Caldwell. Read More: ‘May Day’ Protests In Essex County Attract NJ Governor Candidates

Essex County has also seen demonstrations in support of Trump, including a rally in Montclair organized by local GOP voters prior to the president’s Election Day victory.

• See Related: Republican Wanted NJ Town To Raise Flags For Trump Inauguration
• See Related: Jan. 6 Attendee Wants Street In His Hometown Renamed For Donald Trump

Former Vice President Kamala Harris took Essex County in the 2024 presidential election, nailing down 224,596 votes (71.69 percent). Trump scored 83,908 votes – about 26.78 percent.

Trump performed much better on a statewide basis in last November’s election, however, flipping five New Jersey counties from blue to red.

• See Related: Trump Endorses Republican Candidate In NJ Governor Race

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