On Saturday, October 18, 2025, along with thousands of protests nationwide, No Kings in Columbia, Maryland, saw a massive turnout. 

The event, which featured numerous prominent local politicians and even a musical performance, drew passionate and often creative protesters, who took to the Chrysalis at Symphony Woods and then to the streets around it to protest President Donald Trump’s second administration. 

Lasting a total of three hours, the event consisted of a rally and a colorful barrage of protestors. Their powerful signs and vivid costumes are all documented below through a series of photographs taken that day.

Two protesters holding signs, donning transgender pride flags.

A protester holding a sign mocking President Trump’s alleged attempts to align himself as a strongman. 

A protester holding a sign satirizing and criticizing Speaker of the House Mike Johnson. It says: “Mike Johnson Would Be a Dick if He Had One.”

A protester in an inflatable frog costume holds up a sign calling for the release of the Epstein files.

A protester holds a sign with the transgender pride flag as the background, which reads. “If they can hurt me, they can hurt you too!”

A protester walking past holds up a sign reading, “Aunt Tifa says: Epstein files now!”

A protester leaning against a tree holds a sign that reads, “Veterans against Trump.”

A small sampling of the turnout for No Kings, Columbia, MD.

Two protesters holding a sign saying, “Trump’s reign is just a rain of lies,” pose for the camera.

In view of the Chrysalis, a protester in yellow holds a sign that reads, “No Lyin’ King.”

A protester poses for the camera, holding a sign that reads, “Love, not hate.”

At the forefront of a group of gathered protestors, one holds up a sign that reads, “No Kings in the USA.”

Close to the Chrysalis, the massive turnout of the protest is apparent.

An American flag waves through the sea of protestors. 

A protestor holding a sign that reads, “Imagine hating an immigrant more than a pedophile,” poses for a photo.

Wearing a shirt that reads, “Immigrants are not criminals, but the president is,” a protester holds a sign saying, “This joke is not funny. No kings.”

By the side of a nearby road, several protesters wave American flags.

A protester holding a sign that reads, “My father did not fly 60 combat missions in World War II so that I could live in an authoritarian dictatorship.”

A protestor holds a sign that reads, “Commander in Thief.”

A small group of protestors in inflatable animal costumes hold signs as a car drives by.

Two protesters hold a flag that combines elements of the Pride flag and the Maryland state flag.

A protester carries an American flag, which is being flown upside down (this is a custom done in times of dire distress).

Two protestors hold a sign that reads, “Oppression is the mask of fear,” as an American flag flies in the background.

Protestors march in Symphony Woods, near the event site. To show support for the often costumed Portland protestors, many Columbians chose to put on eventful costumes, from South Park characters to unicorns.