Months into weekly Sunday protests in downtown Lawrence, local activists are standing strong against the ways they say the Trump administration is undercutting democracy in America.
The protests have often drawn crowds in the hundreds to Ninth and Massachusetts streets, as well as to South Park, at noon on Sundays since February.
They’re not formally organized — just like-minded people who say they share similar concerns, such as overreach of the president’s administration and violations of people’s rights and due process.
Protesters on Sunday chanted messages such as “This is what democracy looks like,” “Power to the people” and “Love, not hate, makes America great!”
A Eudora man who did not want to give his name said he’s been coming to the protests for at least two months.
He said he’s fighting “against racism, against fascism, just against the Trump regime and everything they stand for; against making billionaires richer and against taxing the poor more so than the rich. And just — I just want equality for everybody.”
He said he’s been to similar protests in Lenexa, Topeka and Kansas City, Missouri, but the ones in Lawrence are “by far the most enjoyable.”
“This country’s come a long way, and I still believe it’s the best country in the world to live in, but it’s because it was founded on people immigrating — coming here from other places to escape oppression,” he said. “And now everyone who’s here is being oppressed.”
Jerry Jost, of North Lawrence, said he believes the protesters are becoming “more active as citizens” and connecting with people across the state since the protests started.
“I think what troubles me most right now is the corruption within this administration,” Jost said. “Not only is it a breakdown of checks and balances and foregoing due process and taking people off the street without charges or without any kind of legal court procedure or representation and shipping them off to another country — it is just the outright corruption. The power of the Trump family is up for sale, up for bribe.”
Jost has launched a website, takingcaretogether.org, that includes ways people can take action, plus links to local organizations and more.
Many folks who were in attendance are also planning to attend a No Kings protest, part of a “Nationwide Day of Defiance” on June 14. Trump’s 79th birthday coincides with the U.S. Army’s 250th birthday, and a massive parade planned that day in Washington, D.C., is expected to cost up to $45 million.
There are formal No Kings protests organized in Topeka, Ottawa, Lenexa, Overland Park and Kansas City.
Lawrence did not have an event listed on the organizing website as of the time of publication, but folks have often gathered at Ninth and Massachusetts streets for protests coinciding with national movements over the past few months.
In addition, the Douglas County Democrats are planning a “Freedom, Not Fascism Fest,” to include food trucks and live music on July 4 at Centennial Park. Those in attendance will read the Bill of Rights and celebrate the U.S. Constitution. Exact details are still to be determined but will be published in the Arc of Justice newsletter.
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Nathan Kramer (he/him), a multimedia student journalist for The Lawrence Times since August 2024, is a senior at Free State High School. He is also a news photo editor for Free State’s student publication, where he works as a videographer, photographer and motion designer. See more of his work for the Times here.
— Reporter Mackenzie Clark contributed to this article.
