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🪧 Over 500 people gathered in Fort Walton Beach for the national “No Kings” protest to oppose Trump-era policies and promote civic action.
🗣️ Speakers, including Samantha Hope Herring and Gay Valimont, criticized immigration enforcement, healthcare cuts, and local lawmakers’ support for Trump-aligned legislation.
🗳️ Organizers emphasized voter registration and future protests, calling on attendees to remain active ahead of the 2025 election season.
FORT WALTON BEACH — More than 500 people gathered Saturday morning at The Landing Park in downtown Fort Walton Beach as part of the “No Kings National Day of Defiance,” a coordinated protest movement spanning over 1,400 events nationwide.
The demonstration aimed to voice opposition to President Donald Trump’s policies, as well as broader concerns about democracy, immigration, and healthcare.
Despite Fort Walton Beach’s location in the deeply conservative Okaloosa County, the large turnout shocked even seasoned activists.
The Fort Walton Beach Police Department deployed a team of officers to monitor the “No Kings” protest held on Saturday, June 14, at the Fort Walton Beach Landing. Despite the presence of a counter-protest, the event remained peaceful, and no arrests were made. The department appreciates the organizers’ cooperation and commitment to facilitating a lawful and orderly demonstration that upheld public safety and respected the rights of all participants.
“I was very surprised by the sheer amount of people here,” said Anna, a member of the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of the Emerald Coast in Valparaiso. “It was beautiful. The amount of people who were here to show that we are not okay with the way things are going in the current government—it was powerful.”
Speakers at the event included Democratic National Committee member Samantha Hope Herring, former congressional candidate Gay Valimont, and other local leaders.
Each offered critiques of Trump-era policies and urgent calls to action, focusing on voter registration, civic engagement, and the defense of democratic norms.
“Our power is in this peaceful protest that you’re seeing today,” said Herring, the first person elected to the DNC from the Florida Panhandle. “This is what democracy looks like. The lies, the deception, the evilness—we’ve all seen it. We’ve seen children criminalized because of who they were born to. We’ve seen workers thrown away from the jobs they toil at day in and day out. And we’ve seen hateful attacks on veterans, agriculture, and healthcare. That’s why you’re here today.”
The rally was held in response to what organizers described as a growing list of grievances, including the Trump Administration’s treatment of immigrants, cuts to Medicaid, and what they see as authoritarian behavior from elected officials.
“This is just the beginning,” said Valimont. “Trump told us what he was going to do, and he’s done it—with cruelty. His top advisor Stephen Miller is behind a lot of this. They are rounding people up at Home Depot, on farms—profiling people by the color of their skin and throwing them in vans. That is not America.”
Valimont also targeted local elected officials, particularly U.S. Rep. Jimmy Patronis, accusing him of being complicit in policies that would disproportionately harm constituents.
RELATED: Patronis Wins Election to Congress.
“Jimmy Patronis and Neal Dunn voted in favor of a bill that almost zeroes out Medicaid. Fifty percent of the people in this district rely on it,” she said. “What happens when those people lose healthcare? They go to the emergency room, and the whole system gets overwhelmed.”
Patronis, who was recently elected following a special election, was also criticized for his early legislative priorities. “The only bill he’s filed so far is an investigation into Biden,” Valimont added. “That’s probably the deal he made with Trump after paying $2 million for his endorsement. Meanwhile, our kids, our disabled neighbors, our veterans—everyone is suffering.”
The crowd frequently broke into chants of “No Kings,” echoing the protest’s theme—a rejection of what many attendees called the “authoritarian tone” of the Trump Administration.
“We don’t have kings,” said Valimont. “We don’t bow down to anybody.”
Despite the strong emotions, the atmosphere remained calm and respectful. A significant law enforcement presence ensured security, and several attendees reported feeling safe throughout the event.
One counter-protester who engaged peacefully with the crowd said he came not to argue but to understand.
“I’m not trying to change anyone’s mind,” he said. “I want to hear what has people upset enough to protest. I had five really good conversations today. We’ve lost the middle ground in America, and we need to get it back. We agree on more than we disagree.”
To those who couldn’t attend, especially members of the military who may have felt restricted in speaking out, Anna offered a message of encouragement: “Being present matters, but it’s not the only way to show you care. Speak with your family—chosen family included. Protesting publicly is one way, but not the only way, to create change.”
As the event came to a close, organizers encouraged attendees to focus on the November election, with an emphasis on voter registration and local organizing.
“If you want to be patriotic, get five people registered to vote as Democrats,” said Herring. “We are fighting on the right side of history.”
The “No Kings” protest was the second large-scale demonstration against Trump’s influence in 2025. Organizers expect more protests to follow throughout the summer.
We are in the process of a reaction story from local elected leaders in Congress and in Fort Walton Beach. Stay tuned.
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