Large Crowds Protest Peacefully At No Kings Rallies Across Fairfax

FAIRFAX COUNTY, VA — Large crowds of protesters gathered at street corners and along roads across Fairfax County on Saturday to exercise their First Amendment right to peacefully demonstrate against the policies of President Donald Trump.

The protests were part of the “No Kings” rallies nationwide organized by volunteer networks affiliated with Indivisible, WoFA and Third Act. The demonstrations were timed to coincide with a military parade commemorating the U.S. Army’s 250th anniversary that falls on President Donald Trump’s 79th birthday. It was also Flag Day.

More than 100 pro-democracy advocacy groups signed on in support of No Kings. There was no organized No Kings event in Washington, D.C., where the military parade and festivities are estimated to cost between $25 million and $45 million.

Around midday, several hundred people had lined up on the sidewalks along Dolley Madison Boulevard near McLean Central Park, holding signs and waving at cars.

Although one angry man stopped his car at the Ingleside Avenue intersection to shout at the demonstrators, the general aura was upbeat. A steady stream of drivers showed their support by waving back and honking their horns.

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Despite holding signs with messages like “Make Trump Eat Tacos,” “Kicking Out Kings Since 1776,” “We the People Will Never Forget the Cowards In Congress Who Kept Quiet,” and worse, the protesters, many with children and dogs, were smiling and appeared happy to be out with so many like-minded people.

On Saturday morning, one of the Indivisible volunteers who had organized a protest at Kamp Washington in Fairfax City emailed instructions to those who signed up to participate in the demonstration.

“This is a peaceful, civil, and fun-filled event!" he wrote. "We ask that no weapons, threatening messages, or masks be brought to the event. This will reassure everyone that we are out here for the right reasons. There are reports that the Virginia National Guard will be activated. Let's give them no reason to talk to us!”

Earlier in the week, multiple news outlets reported that ICE was planning to deploy tactical units to various cities as it cracks down on people said to be living in the country illegally. ICE Special Response Teams were reportedly coming to Northern Virginia this weekend, as well as Philadelphia, New York, Chicago, and Seattle, reports state.

Although there were no reports of ICE teams or National Guard members being deployed to Fairfax County, local law enforcement was present at many of the demonstrations.

Related: VA Man Charged With Plowing His Vehicle Into Crowd At Protest, Striking 1: PD

"We are aware of multiple planned posts throughout the City of Fairfax," according to a 12:15 a.m. alert sent by Fairfax City Police. "Our department is monitoring the protest sites to ensure the safety of everyone involved. There is no threat to the public at this time."

An FCPD officer in McLean said he and another officer were just keeping an eye on things to make sure no one got hurt. When asked whether the police had received any complaints about the demonstration in McLean, the officer said “No.”

Other communities were not so lucky. On Saturday morning, a Culpeper man was arrested after he intentionally drove into a crowd of protesters, striking at least one, police said.

According to the Town of Culpeper Police Department, officers were in the area of James Madison Highway, monitoring the conclusion of a lawful protest event. As participants were leaving the area and crossing the business parking lot, law enforcement officers saw the driver of an SUV heading recklessly through the crowd of pedestrians, police said.

Given the dangerous driving behavior observed, officers conducted a traffic stop on the vehicle and identified the driver as Joseph R. Checklick Jr., 21, police said.

In response to Friday night’s shooting of former Minnesota House Speaker Melissa Hortman and her husband, FCPD stationed police officers near the homes of local elected officials on Saturday.

Related: Authorities Release Suspect Photos In MN Lawmaker's Killing, 'Manifesto' Found

“The FCPD senior leadership team convened this morning to review the known circumstances of the targeted attacks on elected officials in Minnesota by a gunman impersonating a police officer,” FCPD said, in a 12:51 p.m. post on the department’s official X account. “Our patrol officers and other assets are preparing to enhance our presence around homes and neighborhoods of legislators and other elected officials. Any direct personal contact with elected officials at their homes by FCPD will include two uniformed police officers. There is no intelligence linking these attacks to Fairfax County.”