By Tom Peterson
The Dalles, Ore., March 28, 2026 — More than 600 people gathered along West Sixth Street in The Dalles on Saturday, joining a sweeping wave of “No Kings III” protests held across the Columbia River Gorge and throughout the United States.

The local rally, organized by Protect Oregon’s Progress, brought residents together from across Wasco County for a late-morning march and demonstration. Participants lined the corridor between Cherry Heights Road and Webber Street, carrying signs and chanting as passing honked in support.

“1-2-3-4, we don’t want your war,” could be heard from the crowd that gathered out front of Dutch Brothers Coffe.

The Dalles protest was one of several held in the Gorge, with additional rallies taking place in Hood River, White Salmon/Bingen, Stevenson, Sandy and Trout Lake — part of a coordinated national day of action.

Nationwide mobilization

Saturday’s demonstration was part of the third national “No Kings” day of action — a movement that has rapidly expanded since 2025.

According to The Associated Press, an estimated 9 million people were expected to participate across more than 3,100 events nationwide, spanning all 50 states and multiple countries.

According to Reuters and The Washington Post, more than 3,200 to 3,300 protests were planned across the United States, making it the largest single-day mobilization of the movement to date.

Previous “No Kings” protests also drew massive turnout. Estimates compiled from organizers and covered by multiple national outlets placed participation between 5 million and 7 million people nationwide during events held in 2025.

According to Reuters, participation in smaller and rural communities has grown significantly compared to earlier demonstrations — a trend reflected in The Dalles and across the Columbia River Gorge.

A local protest with personal stakes

While the movement is national in scope, many who attended Saturday’s rally in The Dalles said their reasons for showing up were deeply personal.

Frank Kinser, a Navy veteran and first-time protester, said he felt compelled to attend after watching recent events unfold.

“I’m a veteran,” he said. “I don’t believe in wars like this… It’s been a wild ride the last couple of months.”

For Kim and Cathy McCartney of Dallesport it was a build of issues that motivated them to attend their first No Kings rally.

“Well, it just kind of builds up over time, but the Iranian conflict and what Trump has done with Venezuela and his pushing against Greenland and and it's all not for our good…,” said Kim McCartney. “It wasn't necessary to go bomb people. And last time we bombed or attacked somebody in the middle east, it didn't work out. It wasn't very short. It wasn't two weeks.”

“I’m just here because I can’t not,” Cathy McCartney said. “You can’t just stay home.”

McCartney pointed to growing unease over foreign policy decisions and a lack of clarity from federal leadership as key factors motivating her to join.

Concerns over democracy and rule of law

Some attendees framed the protest in broader constitutional terms.

Tom Hodge, a retired physician from The Dalles attending his second rally, said he believes the country is at a turning point.

“He does not believe in our system of government,” Hodge said. “He’s not following the Constitution… he wants to rule like a king, and that’s why this is so appropriate.”

Hodge also expressed concern about federal agencies and public health systems, warning that breakdowns in institutional norms could have long-term consequences, especially when it came to vaccinations for diseases such as diphtheria, tetanus and measles.

Showing Up Matters

Ruby Mason traveled from Mosier to attend Saturday’s rally, returning to a town she once called home for more than three decades.

“I lived and worked in The Dalles for 33 years,” she said, recalling her time with the Mid-Columbia Housing Authority. Now retired, Mason said she felt compelled to show up — even if it’s just one voice in a larger crowd.

Standing along West Sixth Street wearing a crown and holding a sign calling to “Resist,” Mason said her motivation comes down to frustration and concern about the direction of the country.

“I’m just totally frustrated with what’s going on,” she said. “It feels like the president thinks he can do whatever he wants.”

While careful not to overstate her claims, Mason said the unpredictability of national leadership and the lack of pushback from other branches of government worry her most.

“It makes me concerned for our country,” she said.

Still, she believes showing up matters.

“Sometimes people think protesting doesn’t make a difference,” Mason said. “But it makes me feel like I’m doing something — and maybe it helps other people speak out too.”

Fighting for other people’s rights

Venesa, 22, came from a small town outside the Gorge, drawn less by politics than by the sense of community she found in The Dalles.

“I’m really happy to see a big group of people fighting for other people’s rights,” she said. “I just like seeing the community out here.”

Standing nearby was 20-year-old Mikayla Sinclair, who said her decision to attend was spontaneous.

She said she felt especially motivated to support younger voices and people who may not always feel heard.

“I want to stand up for people of color and for kids who don’t really get a chance to speak for themselves,” she said.

“I just heard about it this morning and thought, ‘I’m totally down,’” she said with a laugh. “I wanted to spread the word and be part of it.”

While Sinclair said she is still forming her political views, she expressed concern about honesty and leadership on the national stage, as well as ongoing international conflicts.

“I don’t like how things are being handled,” she said. “It just doesn’t feel right.”

Together, the two reflected a younger generation showing up — some for deeply held reasons, others simply to take part — but all adding their voices to a growing chorus of participation.

Part of a larger movement

The “No Kings III” demonstrations were organized by a coalition of national and local groups, including Indivisible and partner organizations such as the American Civil Liberties Union, Human Rights Campaign and National Nurses United.

Organizers say the protests are focused on opposing what they describe as authoritarian actions by President Donald Trump’s administration, while emphasizing nonviolent action and community safety.

Despite the national messaging, the tone in The Dalles remained largely peaceful and community-driven, with families, retirees and first-time demonstrators standing alongside seasoned activists.

For many, the significance of the day wasn’t just the scale of the protests nationwide, but the fact that a movement of that size reached small communities like theirs.

As McCartney put it: “It feels odd not to do something.”

No Kings III protest draws new voices in The Dalles amid nationwide demonstrations