On Saturday, Mar. 28, demonstrators across America participated in the third ‘No Kings Day,’ protesting against the actions and policies of President Donald Trump’s second administration. That included Chapel Hill and Carrboro, where thousands of demonstrators brought signs, wore costumes, and chanted as they made their way from 140 W. Franklin Street to the Carrboro Town Commons, where they gathered for a rally.
The event, like the two previous No Kings Days in June and October of 2025, was organized on a local level by the group Indivisible Orange County. As with other No Kings Day demonstrations, it was an exercise in channeling frustration into something positive. Attendees chanted, danced, and played the drums as they made their way to the Carrboro Town Commons.
Brian Bosire was one of those drummers.
“I was just hanging around the drum, because naturally I like music and they gave me a bucket and drum [sticks] and I just got into it.”
He said the turnout Saturday helped inspire hope within him.
“No Kings means finally Americans standing up for what is right and it’s been way too long and I think this is an encouragement to see how everybody is waking up basically,” he said. “Hopefully it accomplishes people getting informed and knowing that we’re not a minority basically. I’m an immigrant myself, I moved here 10 years ago, I moved to Carrboro/Chapel Hill. It just shows that it doesn’t matter where you’re from, it’s where your heart is.”
Eugene Farrar listens to speakers at the Carrboro Town Commons. (Image via Henry Taylor/Chapel Hill Media Group)
Eugene Farrar, the former president of the Chapel Hill-Carrboro chapter of the NAACP was in attendance, wearing a yellow NAACP jacket covered in pins related to Black issues. He said America’s war against Iran is the latest reason to protest since the last No Kings day.
“Right now we are in a war that we didn’t ask for because the president of the United States decided he wants to send some bombs up there, talking about how great the United States Army forces are,” he said. “I just think it’s sad that he’s the biggest bully in the world.”
Once the demonstrators congregated at the Carrboro Town Commons, multiple speakers took to the stage to deliver remarks on what No Kings Day means and what comes next. Carrboro Town Councilor Danny Nowell said that while it can be tempting to declare these as unprecedented times, many of these modern challenges are not new.
“If we forget that we have been here before, we will forget that we have beaten them before, in solidarity,” he said. “We have beaten hate and fear and division every time, and so long as we remember that we must earn our power through the continued practice of solidarity, we will beat these oligarchs again.”
North Carolina State Representative Allen Buansi speaks to the crowd. (Image via Henry Taylor/Chapel Hill Media Group)
North Carolina Representative Allen Buansi said while demonstrations like Saturday’s are key, it is important that people bring the same energy to the polls.
“Keep your eye on the prize,” he said. “We [have] got a few months to go until November. And even beyond that, the work still has to continue. We’ve got to elect people up and down the ballot who are gonna fight for the people, not for the rich, not for the rich, but for us. Thank y’all. And keep fighting.”
And as for the demonstrators, it is clear that if change doesn’t come soon, a fourth No Kings Day will certainly be on the horizon.
Featured image via Henry Taylor/Chapel Hill Media Group
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