Hundreds Gather in Uptown Lexington for “No Kings Day” Rally, Flag Day and Army Anniversary
{Photo Credit: Antionette Kerr/Davidson Local}
On Saturday, June 14—Flag Day and the 250th anniversary of the United States Army—more than 300 people gathered in Uptown Lexington for a demonstration dubbed “No Kings Day.” Organized by REV UP NC and Unbound Voices, the event was part of a coordinated effort across the country to address growing concerns about the current administration.
View of “No King” demonstrators in The Square opposite of The Old Courthouse.
Demonstrators, carrying American flags and handmade signs, lined the streets from Courthouse Square to 1st Avenue near Fox & Olive. Chants of "USA" and “This is what democracy looks like” and car horns echoed through Uptown, with signs like “No Kings Since 1776.”
Organizer Melinda Kirby Zarate described the event as peaceful and encouraging, noting that the turnout reflected a strong sense of community and intergenerational engagement. Students, veterans, local business owners, the elderly and those seeking to protect Medicare and Medicaid were in attendance
Organizer Melinda Kirby Zarate described the event as peaceful and encouraging, noting that the turnout reflected a strong sense of community and intergenerational engagement. Students, veterans, local business owners, the elderly and those seeking to protect Medicare and Medicaid were in attendance.
The rally followed a previous demonstration where a smaller group of religious and pro-life demonstrators clashed. Unbound Voices had secured the proper permit and, after initially calling law enforcement, offered an on-site apology to the long-time demonstrators. Dustin Sizemore, a Winston-Salem-based pro-life organizer, appreciated the gesture and voiced concern that a group advocating for freedom should have called the police on fellow demonstrators. “We were being peaceful,” he said. “That part was disappointing.” He reiterated that he videotaped the incident.
Dustin Sizemore, a Winston-Salem-based pro-life preacher.
Both groups returned on June 14, committed to mutual respect, to share the Square. Sizemore and a small group stood nearby with signs, emphasizing their peaceful presence. “Jesus is the only King—that’s something we agree on,” he said.
Pamela Kelly, a Lexington native and organizer with REV UP NC, spoke about the challenges facing voters with disabilities. Kelly, a longtime advocate for disability rights and equitable access to the ballot, said she is deeply concerned that voting access is increasingly under threat. “Our right to vote is not guaranteed if our access isn’t,” she said, urging the crowd to consider how policies and polling practices can unintentionally exclude people with disabilities.
Other speakers addressed a variety of concerns. One young woman shared a personal story about her father being detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) after attending court for a traffic violation. “He was eventually sent home safely,” she said, “but the financial and emotional toll was heavy. This is racial profiling.”
Familiar faces from Lexington joined the demonstration, including local resident Lana Bunce. “I wasn’t feeling well this morning,” she said, “but I wanted to be present for my grandchildren. It matters.”
Beth and Lana Bunce joined Saturday’s protest with a focus on future generations.
Community activist Tyrone Terry, a longtime advocate for civic engagement, also attended. “I’ve faced backlash before, but I’m not afraid,” he said. “If young people see us show up, they’ll know how to stand up when it matters.”
Online reaction to the event has been varied. During Davidson Local’s Facebook Live broadcasts, which featured multiple viewpoints, several commenters questioned the “No Kings” messaging, with some suggesting it was disrespectful toward the president or faith communities. Others accused the organizers of being “fake” or “paid,” echoing a political narrative that has circulated for years, long before the Trump administration. The comments reflected ongoing national tensions about how public demonstrations are interpreted and represented. Many simply wrote the words, “No King!”
Unbound Voices says this demonstration is part of a series of summer events. They’ve secured permits for gatherings on the second and fourth Saturdays of July and August, and the next rally is set for June 28 from 10 am-12 pm at the Old Davidson County Courthouse Square. Sizemore doesn’t have a formal group (signs represented the group abolitionist rising), but will continue to invite other believers to join him on the Square.
