‘No Kings’ rally draws large crowd in Fort Walton Beach

In Brief:

🧍‍♀️ About 600 residents gathered downtown for the second No Kings rally
✊ Speakers emphasized unity, civic action, and free speech
🩸 Local students collected hygiene donations for area shelters

Share This Story!

FORT WALTON BEACH — About 600 people gathered Saturday at The Landing in Downtown Fort Walton Beach to particpate in the second ‘No Kings’ rally of 2025, the event was among 2,500 other protests that occured nationwide.

The second demonstration drew a noticalbly larger turnout than the one held in June with attendees decribing a spirit for unity and civic engagement despite online criticism labeling the protests as “un-American.”

Adam, a representative of the local chapter of the Democratic Socialists of America, said he noticed more energy and participation at this event than earlier in the summer.

“More people came out this time. I think more and more people are getting frustrated and realizing they’ve got to get involved and do more,” Adam said. “The government just keeps doing things nobody’s happy with, so we’re all getting out there.”

Adam pushed back on social media narratives by prominent Republicans, including U.S. Rep. Jimmy Patronis (R-FL) that called the event “hate America day,” arguing that the rally represented core American ideals.

“There’s a complete disconnect,” he said. “Events like this are about standing up for the real values we all hold — freedom of speech, a government accountable to its people, and welcoming everyone in this country. That’s what being American really means.”

Adam added that his group plans to keep particpating in similar rallies in the future.

“We’ll absolutely support the next one,” Adam said. “People are realizing that change only happens when they show up.”

Also among the particpants where Niceville High seniors Kennedy and Sinee, founders of The Panhandle Women’s Project, a local nonprofit that advocates for women’s rights.

The two said their current focus is collecting menstrual and hygiene products for the Emerald Coast Period Pantry, where they’ve already gathered more than 650 of their 1,000-product goal. Their group also donates to local shelters such as Opportunity Place and Shelter House, and they accept contributions at Black Rifle Coffee in Niceville.

Despite living in what they described as a politically conservative area, the students said the rally was overwhelmingly positive.

“We’ve seen nothing but love and support from everybody,” Sinee said. “Everyone wants equality and wants everyone else to be happy. Calling this un-American is what’s actually un-American — protesting and speaking out is what this country was built on.”