Summit, Portage county 'No Kings' protests wrap up before D.C. military parade

• These "No Kings Day" protests object to what organizers see as President Donald Trump's increasingly authoritarian rule and rejection of democratic norms.
• These rallies come on the heels of tense protests in Los Angeles that condemned Immigration and Customs Enforcement sweeps in the city that saw military deployments.
• Rain is likely in the morning and afternoon in Summit and Portage counties, with thunderstorms possible all day.

Thousands of people took to the city streets in Summit and Portage counties today as cities across the country saw large-scale "No Kings" rallies to protest what organizers see as President Donald Trump's increasingly authoritarian rule and rejection of democratic norms.

Here's what you need to know about the protests in Akron, Cuyahoga Falls, Hudson, Kent and Ravenna.

Washington, D.C. military parade could start before 6:30 p.m.

After a day of "No Kings" protests throughout Summit and Portage counties, the controversial military parade that many people protested could kick off earlier than the expected 6:30 p.m. start time in Washington, D.C.

USA TODAY reported that President Trump arrived about 30 minutes earlier than originally scheduled, as evening rain and thunderstorms are predicted.

To get the latest updates on the parade, visit the USA TODAY live blog on the Akron Beacon Journal website.

Virginia police arrest man who 'intentionally' accelerated in protest crowd

As a protest wound down in Culpeper, Virginia, a man intentionally drove an SUV through the crowd of departing pedestrians and struck at least one person in the parking lot, police said in a statement on social media.

The Culpeper Police Department identified the driver as Joseph R. Checklick Jr, 21. Police said they have not yet identified the person who was hit and no injuries have been reported to law enforcement.

-USA TODAY

Deportation crackdown brought 15-year-old to Kent protest - 5 p.m.

Cleveland Heights resident Bristyn Marshall, 15, told her father, Cedric Marshall, that she wanted to attend her first protest: Kent’s No Kings protest.

“She called me this morning. She said, ‘I want to go. I want to change people’s lives.' She worried about her nephews and nieces and the world being better down the road," he recalled.

Cedric Marshall's girlfriend, Addisah Sherwood, accompanied the father-daughter duo with her mother, Alani Sherwood. The group's main reason for attending related to the Trump administration’s deportation crackdown.

“I think that we should all be treated as we’re equal," Bristyn said. "I think it’s very disgusting that kids younger than me are being taken and torn apart from their families."

By 5 p.m., the protest was still in full swing in downtown Kent. People leaned out of cars, driving up and down the street with various flags, including the Gadsden flag.

-Tawney Beans

Immigration is key reason one protester attends 'No Kings' rally in Kent, Hudson - 4:20 p.m.

Bink Gissinger, 50 of Akron, is protesting against President Trump's deportation policies. She said her grandmother immigrated from Scotland to the United States at 3 years old.

Al Roppel waved an American flag at Main and Church streets in Hudson during the "No Kings" protest. He's concerned about the treatment of immigrants, the state of the country and lies coming out of the White House.

-Tawney Beans

Suspect in deadly Minnesota shooting had 'No Kings' papers, officials say - 4:15 p.m.

Investigators found papers with "No Kings" written on them in the back seat of the suspect's vehicle, USA TODAY reported.

There was no evidence of a specific threat to the "No Kings" rallies, but Bureau of Criminal Apprehension Superintendent Drew Evans said authorities were sharing the information about the papers found so the public remains informed, according to USA TODAY.

Planned "No Kings" protests in Minnesota were canceled to adhere to guidance from state officials.

-Bryce Buyakie

Kent sees over 1,000 people turn out for protest - 3:50 p.m.

Over a thousand people have turned out in Kent for the "No Kings" protest. They are waving flags and holding signs at Water and Main streets and lining Main Street across the bridge.

One woman, who has a counter app on her phone, told the Akron Beacon Journal she counted roughly 1,700 protesters in Kent.

To the west in Hudson, over 250 people had gathered in downtown. Many shouted "Lock him up," "Hey, hey, ho, ho, Donald Trump has got to go," and "Let freedom ring no king."

-Tawney Beans

Cuyahoga Falls protest organizers provide updated crowd size estimate - 3:45 p.m.

Organizers behind the June 14 "No Kings" protest in Cuyahoga Falls sent an email to Beacon Journal staff members estimating that the crowd reached about 3,000 people, with protesters extending to The Church in Silver Lake.

"The fact that this many people showed up in a downpour on a Saturday morning should send a loud and clear message to our legislatures in Washington, D. C., and the Ohio State House," said the email, from Barb Kaplan, lead organizer for Crooked River Action, and co-signed by Sunny Park, director of Kitchen Table Voters. "The people of Summit County are not in favor of an authoritarian government which disenfranchises citizens, arrests our neighbors without due process and ignores the rule of law."

The organizers said protesters were concerned about public dollars being used to fund a June 14 military parade in Washington, "as essential safety net programs are being drastically cut."

They said the Cuyahoga Falls protest also included multiple speakers, including Ohio Rep. Derrick Hall (D-Akron), Tim Hauser from the Veterans Assurance Network and environmental advocates Elaine Marsh from Friends of the Crooked River and Brad Brotje from the Kent Environmental Center.

-Patrick Williams

Akron 'No Kings' protest winds down - 3:10 p.m.

By 3 p.m., the Akron "No Kings" protest began to thin as people left the streets. The event was peaceful with little to no police presence, an Akron Beacon Journal reporter noted.

-Derek Kreider

Suspect identified in Minnesota shooting that killed lawmaker and husband - 3:05 p.m.

The Associated Press, CNN and NBC News identified Vance Boelter, 57, as the man who shot and killed Minnesota lawmaker Rep. Melissa Hortman and her husband Mark early Saturday morning. Boelter also shot state Sen. John Hoffman and his wife, Yvette. The news outlets cited unnamed law enforcement officials with knowledge of the investigation, USA TODAY reported.

Two "No Kings" protests in Minnesota were canceled after the shooting, according to USA TODAY.

-Bryce Buyakie

Ravenna protests held after location change - 3 p.m.

Demonstrators in Ravenna held signs, mostly hand-made, proclaiming "No Kings," "I Will Not Bow," "End this lawless government," "Morons Are Governing America" and "ICE Melts Under Resistance."

Bruce Ribelin, a former Ravenna councilman, said there were "a lot of honks" in support of protesters, but not everyone supported them. Some passersby extended a middle finger, booed or shouted profanities.

"That's OK," he said. "We're getting our point out, and it makes them angry. We're getting to them."

The group rallied at the Portage County Courthouse Lawn previously, but on June 14, the event had to be moved because of Art on Main. The new location, about a block away, didn't offer a place for sound equipment to be set up, and there were no speeches.

Preston Muccino of Ravenna, using a megaphone, led people through many chants, like "No Kings," "This is what democracy looks like," "Hey, hey, ho, ho, Donald Trump has got to go," and "86 47," a reference to a social media post by former FBI Director James Comey that some interpreted as encouraging violence against Trump.

Mike DeLuke from Kent said there were no speakers by design. That way, everyone could participate.

"We tend to think that when there are speakers, the focus is on the speakers," he said.

-Diane Smith

Protester evokes deadly May 4, 1970, Kent State University shooting - 2:30 p.m.

Kurt Neading, 60, drove up to Akron from Canton to protest the president, saying he has never seen a president do what Trump has done.

Being around like-minded people, Neading said, "Makes you feel like you're not alone, with people who don't agree with the way people are treated anymore."

Jill from Kent, who declined to give her last name for fear of reprisals, is a member of the Justice Choir, a movement that encourages community singing for social and environmental justice. She was holding a sign that said "Every sitting Republican is complicit in the destruction of America."

She said she was in Kent during the deadly May 4, 1970, Kent State shooting, and sees parallels between then and now.

"I think it's disturbing; it's disturbing what's happening to the country," she said.

-Derek Kreider

Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine, President Trump issue statements after Minnesota lawmakers targeted in shooting - 2:15 p.m.

Minnesota lawmakers were targeted in a "politically motivated assassination" early June 14, killing Rep. Melissa Hortman and her husband, Mark Hortman in their Brooklyn Park home. State Sen. John Hoffman and his wife, Yvette Hoffman, were wounded in their Champlin home around 2 a.m. The neighboring suburban cities are 10 to 20 miles outside Minneapolis, respectively, USA TODAY reported.

Brooklyn Park Police Chief Mark Bruley said the shooter impersonated a police officer, complete with an SUV that is identical to real police vehicles, a vest, outfit and equipment. The shooter knocked on the victims' doors and used the ruse to "manipulate their way into the home," Bruley said.

"Fran and I are horrified by the attacks on Minnesota State Representative Melissa Hortman and her husband, Mark, and Minnesota State Senator John Hoffman and his wife, Yvette, in their respective homes this morning," Ohio Governor Mike DeWine said in a news release issued today. "We are praying for their families and for law enforcement as they work to find and arrest the assailant. We condemn this terrible act of violence and send our sincere sympathies to the victims and their families." 

President Trump issued a statement on Truth Social.

"I have been briefed on the terrible shooting that took place in Minnesota, which appears to be a targeted attack against State Lawmakers. Our Attorney General, Pam Bondi, and the FBI, are investigating the situation, and they will be prosecuting anyone involved to the fullest extent of the law. Such horrific violence will not be tolerated in the United States of America. God Bless the great people of Minnesota, a truly great place!" Trump wrote.

-Bryce Buyakie

Hudson protest starts early with nearly 150 protesters turning out - 2 p.m.

Nearly 150 protesters lined the gazebo square in Hudson ahead of the scheduled start time of 2 p.m. today. They held signs in support of immigrants and against President Trump, while others waved American flags.

-Lisa Scalfaro, Tawney Beans

Peaceful protest lines the streets in downtown Akron represent a variety of causes - 1:30 p.m.

By 1:30 p.m., the crowd of energetic, peaceful protesters expanded to line both sides of Market Street near the Seiberling Building. Others lined the streets down Broadway Street toward Dart Avenue in downtown Akron.

A diversity of causes is being represented. One sign said "Save Ukraine," another read on one side "Idolizing billionaires is like thinking the stripper really likes you," and "Prison without due process is a concentration camp."

Chants of "No Kings" and "Dump Trump" reverberated throughout the heart of downtown.

Noelle Bowman, founder of Indivisible Akron — the organization hosting the rally — said the protest is in response to President Donald Trump, who is throwing himself a military parade in D.C. for his birthday, which happens to coincide with Flag Day and the 250th anniversary of the U.S. Army.

"So we're here to say America doesn't do kings," said Bowman. "We don't celebrate personalities, we are here for the people."

She said over 700 people were signed up to attend, but she expected between 1,500 and 2,000.

The mood, said Bowman, has so far been jovial. She explained she welcomes non-violent counter protesters because people need to learn how to disagree.

Some counter-protesters appeared at today's protests in Cuyahoga Falls and Akron.

One man in Akron wore an animal skin hat and identified himself as a Trump supporter, but declined to give his name. He was there, he said, to oppose the gathered crowd he described as "pro-terrorist."

He said the "No Kings" protesters supported Hamas and MS-13, and described himself as a "loyalist patriot" and Christian.

-Derek Kreider, Mike Cardew

Ravenna protest continues, Akron rally starts early - 12:40 p.m.

Dozens of people are chanting and yelling through the rain in Ravenna as they hold up signs.

Miles to the west in Akron, the "No Kings" rally scheduled to begin at 1 p.m. started early at Main and Market streets as a growing number of protesters arrived before 12:30 p.m.

Akron rally-goers waved signs and American flags and pumped their fists in the air. Vehicles honking blared through the streets in support of the protest. Somewhere, a speaker played the Rolling Stones' "Gimme Shelter."

-Derek Kreider, Lisa Scalfaro

Rally-goers protest what they see as a corrupt administration - 12:20 p.m.

Jane of Green and Sue of North Canton protested in Cuyahoga Falls against what they see as a corrupt administration. They declined to provide their last names to the Beacon Journal, citing fear of retribution for protesting peacefully.

"This is an absolute corrupt administration, and he is lining his own pockets, so he’s increasing his own wealth," said Sue, referring to President Trump.

“Their cruelty is the point,” said Sue, who also called the administration “incompetent.” “They’re destroying this country, and they’re doing it to benefit themselves. I feel like I’m living in Nazi Germany. When a senator (California Sen. Alex Padilla) can’t even ask a question without being taken down to the ground (by federal agents), then we’re in big, big trouble.”

Jane said she believes Trump is “not for the people. He’s for himself and he’s for his billionaire friends. And I just don’t think he’s doing anything good for the country. They are following (Project 2025). If people haven’t read it, they should read it.”

“They’re not following the Constitution. That’s our laws,” Jane added. “This is our democracy. And I feel that if he continues in this vein, that we won’t be able to vote anymore. And they’re going to make sure that we can’t do that.”

-Patrick Williams

Cuyahoga Falls protest precedes Riverfront Irish Festival

The Cuyahoga Falls protest is meant to precede most of or all of the Riverfront Irish Festival. The protest was scheduled to end at 11:30 a.m. The festival will begin at 12:45 p.m. in downtown.

Cuyahoga Falls protesters rally against military parade, proposed Medicaid cuts - 11:55 a.m.

Steve Farkas, 75, of Munroe Falls, attended the Cuyahoga Falls rally with his 43-year-old daughter Stefanie Farkas.

“I’m a veteran, I’m Ukrainian … and I’m on Social Security, so I’ve got a man in the office that wants to wipe me out three times over, I guess,” said Steve Farkas, who served in the U.S. Navy for five years until 1974.

Although he supports the military, Farkas said he does not support the military parade planned for later today in Washington, D.C., describing it as "the birthday party (for Trump)." Stefanie Farkas said she works as a behavioral analyst and that many of her clients who are on Medicaid would be impacted by proposed cuts. “With these huge Medicaid cuts, I have so many kids who are not going to receive the services that they need in order to thrive in life,” Stefanie Farkas said. “So that’s the thing that I’m the most upset about.”Stefanie Farkas said she used to live in southwest Arizona and that her best friend was deported around 2009 or 2010 when Joe Arpaio was Maricopa County sheriff.“She needed antibiotics, and her mother-in-law took her across the border back into Mexico, even though her sons were all born here,” Stefanie Farkas said.

-Patrick Williams

Cuyahoga Falls kicks off Summit County 'No Kings' protests - 11:06 a.m.

About 1,500 people lined the streets north of downtown Cuyahoga Falls amid the humidity and rain to protest President Donald Trump and his administration’s policies at the Cuyahoga Falls “No Kings” protest, said Sunny Park, director of Cuyahoga Falls-based Kitchen Table Voters, one of the event organizers.

Protesters held signs that read, “No kings since 1776,” “Bad Things Happen When Good People Do Nothing,” “Stop the Parade Fund Medicaid,” “When cruelty becomes normal compassion looks radical” and “Make Orwell Fiction Again.”

People chanted phrases including “No kings” and “Hey, hey, ho, ho, Donald Trump has got to go.”

During the protest, multiple people driving by honked their horns in support.

Michael Roberts, 57 of Twinsburg, and Diana Harkin, 54 of Akron, sang a parody of "You'll Be Back" from the hit musical "Hamilton" in the video above.

-Patrick Williams

Missouri, Texas activated National Guard, Ohio has not

On June 13, Missouri Gov. Mike Hehoe joined Texas in preemptively activating his state's National Guard ahead of the "No Kings" protests.

This comes as 4,000 National Guard troops and 700 U.S. Marines were deployed to Los Angeles in the wake of protests against federal immigration enforcement.

On June 10, Dan Tierney, a spokesman for Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine, said the governor has not activated the National Guard and that the state is unaware of any federal deployment.

Guard members are likely gathering in Akron for routine training, something that regularly happens in Akron and other locations across the state, Tierney said. 

What is 'No Kings' Day about?

"No Kings" Day is a day of anti-Trump protests against what organizers consider Trump's authoritarian rule.

Called a "day of defiance," it coincides with a military parade that reportedly will cost $45 million in Washington, D.C., to celebrate Trump's 79th birthday today.

June 14 also marks the 250th anniversary of the U.S. Army and Flag Day.

What is the weather forecast for Saturday in Summit and Portage counties?

Rain is likely in the morning and afternoon in Summit and Portage counties, with thunderstorms possible all day.

The National Weather Service predicts a 70% chance of precipitation that could reach half an inch of rain in Portage County. Summit County could get up to three-quarters of an inch.

Both counties will see cloud cover with high temperatures near 75.

No Kings protests near me: Where are the Northeast Ohio protests Saturday?

Akron: John F. Seiberling Federal Building and United States Courthouse, 2 S. Main St. from 1 to 2:30 p.m.

Cuyahoga Falls: Doodlebug Memorial Park, 2641 Front St. from 10-11:30 a.m.

Ravenna: The Corner of Main Street and S. Prospect Street from noon to 2 p.m. (the location has changed)

Hudson: Gazebo Green, 27 E. Main St. from 2-4 p.m.

Kent: Gazebo, 100 Franklin Ave. from 3-5 p.m.

What to expect at the military parade?

The parade, which will feature Army equipment, flyovers, musical performances and thousands of soldiers in uniforms from the past and the present, caps off a week of programming designed to celebrate the country’s military might. Trump posted a short video address about the parade to Truth Social on June 6, inviting Americans to what he called an "unforgettable" celebration, "one like you've never seen before."

What time is the military parade?

Organizers say the parade in Washington, D.C., will begin at 6:30 p.m.

Who is organizing and behind 'No Kings' Day?

"No Kings" Day is being organized by Indivisible, a nonprofit coalition of political action groups.

What is the 'No Kings' movement?

Indivisible said that they’re organizing “to reject corrupt, authoritarian politics.”

“They’ve defied our courts, deported citizens, disappeared people off the streets, attacked our civil rights, slashed essential services, and handed billions to their allies. Enough is enough,” reads a press release. “This country doesn’t belong to a king — and we’re not letting him throw himself a parade funded by tens of millions of our taxpayer dollars while stealing from us and stripping away our rights, our freedoms, and the programs our families rely on.”

Walmart heiress promotes day of protest

Walmart heiress Christy Walton took out a full-page New York Times advertisement last week that urged people to attend the anti-Trump protests.

The ad drew swift condemnation from Trump's supporters with some calling for a Walmart boycott, the Indianapolis Star reported.

In a statement, Walmart sought to distance itself from the ad.

"The advertisements from Christy Walton are in no way connected to or endorsed by Walmart. She does not serve on the board or play any role in decision-making at Walmart," CBS News reported.

What did President Donald Trump say about 'No Kings' Day protestors?

On June 10, Trump was asked about protests taking place on June 14. Here's how he responded:

“For those people that want to protest, they’re going to be met with very big force,” Trump said. “And I haven’t even heard about a protest, but you know, this is people that hate our country, but they will be met with very heavy force.”

'No Kings' Day comes on the heels of recent protests

These rallies come on the heels of tense protests in Los Angeles that condemned Immigration and Customs Enforcement sweeps in the city.

In the wake of the protests, Trump sent 4,000 National Guard troops and 700 Marines despite California Gov. Gavin Newsom's objections.

At least two people were charged with throwing firebombs during the five days of protest in the city's downtown and over 385 people were arrested, according to federal prosecutors and the Los Angeles Police Department.

In reaction to Los Angeles, some 400 peaceful protesters gathered in Akron's Highland Square on June 12 for the ICE Out Of Akron protest.

It was sponsored by a slew of organizations, including Akron Party for Socialism and Liberation, Serve the People Akron, Akron Palestine Solidarity Collective and Akron Democratic Socialists of America.

This story has been updated.

Bryce Buyakie covers courts and public safety for the Beacon Journal. He can be reached by email at bbuyakie@gannett.com or on X, formerly known as Twitter, @bryce_buyakie.