Brandy Reese wrote that those at the “No Kings” protest in Gilbert had a simple message for those watching Saturday in the East Valley.
"We see you, we are with you, and we are all in this together. We aren't here to disrupt. We are here to be a steady, visible presence for everyone who believes that no one is above the law,” she wrote.
Reese, a co-leader of Chandler Gilbert Indivisible, was among thousands of Valley protesters joining the national effort voicing their concerns about President Donald Trump’s leadership.
“Today isn't just about a national movement. It’s about the strength we find when we show up for one another,” she wrote.
The event at the intersection of East Civic Center Drive and Gilbert Road was organized to attract participants from Chandler, Gilbert, Mesa and Sun Lakes.
Thirty-five miles to the north in Fountain Hills hundreds of protesters lined Saguaro Boulevard next to Fountain Park, waving flags and holding signs speaking out against everything from the Trump administration in general, to ICE involvement around the country and the war in Iran.
Ann Schweers attended the protest, saying it was an important act that would impact future generations.
“There’s too much horrible stuff going on now,” Schweers said, adding she feels the country has evolved to resemble a fascist state.
“Trump is making decisions without asking anybody and, honestly, I don’t think he’s all right at this point. One of the things we can do right now is let our voices be heard.”
In Tempe, hundreds of demonstrators walked along McClintock Drive, stopping at red lights as they approached the US 60 overpass before congregating in Cole Park.
Tempe police vehicles were at several locations along the route as protesters carried signs and chanted “No kings. No wars” and other slogans of the “No Kings” movement.
Protests over ICE tactics nationally and a proposed detention center in Surprise produced nine "No Kings" protests in the West Valley with demonstrators in Anthem, Glendale, Peoria, North Phoenix, Surprise, Sun City and Sun City West.
Saturday’s demonstrations across Arizona’s Eighth Congressional District drew an estimated 9,500 people, up from 8,400 in October 2025.
More than 3,200 turned out March 28 in Surprise, where a 418,000-square-foot ICE detention facility is proposed.
"What we saw today in Surprise tells you everything you need to know," Brent Peak, Co-Chair of Northwest Valley Indivisible, stated in a press release.
"When the federal government tries to open a mass detention facility in your community without so much as a public hearing, people show up. Over 3,200 neighbors came out today because they refuse to let this human warehouse open without a fight. Mayor Sartor and the City Council have an opportunity to stand with their constituents on this — we hope they will."
Ryan Winslett and Richard Smith contributed to this report.
Meet Dan Dan McCarthy joined Independent Newsmedia as web content editor after a 40-plus year career as a reporter and editor in New Jersey and Arizona. During his time in Arizona, he has been an editor of daily and weekly papers in Tempe, Scottsdale, Chandler, Ahwatukee, Sun City, Sun City West, Surprise, Peoria and Glendale. Prior to moving to Arizona in 1984, when he was hired to be assistant city editor at the Tempe Daily News, he covered regional police/fire news, municipal, county and state governments in New Jersey, the latter as bureau chief at the state Capitol.
Community: He has served on several boards over the years, including the Tempe Community Action Agency and the Tempe St. Luke’s Hospital Board of Governors. He is a graduate of the Tempe Leadership and Scottsdale Leadership programs, serving as media adviser for subsequent classes of Tempe Leadership.
Education: Arizona State University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Journalism.
Random Fact: Set winter/summer track records in the 60-, 100- and 220-yard dashes at his high school in New Jersey.
Hobbies: Tai chi, cooking, dining at his must-eat-once places around the U.S. and the Cincinnati Reds, his favorite team since 1961.
By 
Comments
No comments on this item Please log in to comment by clicking here