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The progressive watchdog group Public Citizen says its “No Kings” protests are meant to defend democracy and protest what organizers call “executive overreach.” Yet nationwide arrests, injuries and warnings against outside agitators add complexity to this narrative.
In an interview with Fox News Digital, Lisa Gilbert, co-president of Public Citizen, rejected suggestions that the movement had turned violent, saying the goal was to send a message of unity rather than confrontation.
“The idea that America is a democracy is, at its core, a small democracy. [the] Democrat [party]; it’s not [the] Republican [party]” she said. “It’s the idea that we have a system based on checks and balances, where we understand that our elected officials answer to us. And that our votes count and count.”
“Deep down, that’s what it means [“No Kings”] that’s all. And why people come. »
Protesters during a demonstration against Trump’s policies, in Austin, Texas, June 14, 2025. (Reuters/Joel Angel Juarez)
Bare-bottomed bikers ride in the rain to shout at the feds in Blue City’s latest anti-ice stunt
Nationwide protests, local violence
While most of the June 14 “No Kings” protests were peaceful, a few degenerated into violence, leading to several arrests and at least one death. This Saturday, organizers announce that around 2,500 rallies are planned across the country.
Salt Lake City, UT
Arthur Folasa Ah Loo, 39, an innocent bystander and fashion designer who appeared on “Project Runway,” was shot and killed at a “No Kings” rally in Salt Lake City on June 14. Salt Lake City Police Chief Brian Redd said the fashion designer was not the “intended target.”
Arthur Folasa Ah Loo, a Samoan designer who appeared on “Project Runway,” was shot and killed during a “No Kings” protest in Salt Lake City, Utah. (After watching via Instagram)
Redd said the 39-year-old father of two was mistakenly shot by a peacekeeper wearing a fluorescent vest who opened fire after a suspect, identified as Arturo Gamboa, 24, ran toward the crowd with a rifle.
Austin, TX
The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) announced that nine people were arrested during the “No Kings” protests in Austin on June 14. According to the department, the march began at the Texas State Capitol before moving through downtown Austin when the Capitol grounds closed that evening. DPS worked alongside Austin Police Department officers during the response.
The Department of Public Safety (DPS) arrested the following individuals, all of whom were booked into the Travis County Jail: Andrew Joseph Alemao, 37, for interference with public duties; Dorian Gray, 19, for criminal graffiti; Daymon Micah Grubbs, 19, for disobeying a police officer; Christian Deun Johnson, 24, for disobeying a police officer, providing false identification and evading arrest; Henry T. Johnson, 23, for obstructing a passage; Francisco Limon Juarez, 31, for criminal trespass; Tyrone Germane Stafford, 44, for possession of marijuana; Brendan William Talbert, 24, for walking on a road while sidewalks were provided, assaulting a peace officer, evading arrest and resisting arrest; and Esala Wueschner, 33, for criminal trespass. (Texas Department of Public Safety)
Riverside, California
Two people were arrested in connection with a hit-and-run at a “No Kings” protest in Southern California on June 14 that left Alexa Carrasco, 21, seriously injured, authorities said.
The driver of the SUV drove toward protesters in Riverside, east of Los Angeles, and struck the woman, investigators said. Carrasco was hospitalized in critical condition, Riverside police said.
Russell Alan Prentice, 58, of Riverside, was arrested on June 16, 2025, in connection with a “No Kings Day” hit-and-run in Riverside, California. (Riverside Police Department)
Russell Alan Prentice, 58, was charged with one count of assault with a deadly weapon, one count of hit-and-run causing injury and a special allegation of serious bodily injury to the victim.
Ocala, Florida
On June 14, during the “No Kings” protests in Ocala, three people – two men and a woman – were arrested, according to Ocala police.
The three people arrested in Ocala were identified as Stephen Libardoni, 60, arrested for battery after allegedly pushing a protester; Michael Loren, 47, who was arrested on charges of battery and possession of a weapon by a convicted felon after police said he pushed a protester while carrying brass knuckles; and Alexandra Krolman, 35, who was arrested for battery after allegedly hitting someone with a cardboard sign. (WOFL-TV/FOX 35)
The arrested individuals were identified as Stephen Libardoni, 60, arrested for battery after allegedly shoving a protester; Michael Loren, 47, who was arrested on charges of battery and possession of a weapon by a convicted felon after police said he pushed a protester while carrying brass knuckles; and Alexandra Krolman, 35, who was arrested for battery after allegedly hitting someone with a cardboard sign.
Culpeper, Virginia
Joseph R. Checklick Jr., 21, was arrested in Culpeper, Virginia, after allegedly driving his SUV into a crowd of “No Kings” protesters on June 14, authorities said.
The incident occurred as protesters dispersed near 801 James Madison Highway and walked through a commercial parking lot, according to the Culpeper Police Department. Police said Checklick “intentionally accelerated his vehicle into the dispersing crowd,” striking at least one person.
The Culpeper Police Department arrested and charged Joseph Checklick Jr. with reckless driving. (Culpeper Police Department)
No injuries had been reported to law enforcement at the time of the arrest, and the identity of the affected person has not been released. Checklick was charged with reckless driving and was later released on $4,000 bail.
‘No Kings’ leaders defend protest security efforts
While Gilbert said organizers “can’t police every single person,” she maintained that Public Citizen provides training and guidance on safety issues.
“We cannot let the militarization they are putting in place intimidate us. We must be willing to stand up; silence is not an option,” she said. “And so, peacefully protesting is our First Amendment right and what we plan to do. We’re taking precautions to make sure our events are as safe as possible. Obviously you can’t control every single person, but we do have training. [sessions] and protect people in every way possible. »
“But at their core, these events are peaceful, and that’s the bottom line. The violence doesn’t come from ‘No Kings’ events; the violence comes from militarized repression and masked agents roaming our streets terrorizing communities. It doesn’t come from protesters.”
A parade participant carries a sign reading “Say No to Kings” during the 2025 New York Pride March on June 29, 2025, in New York. (Manoli fiekis/getty images)
‘NO KINGS’ DEMONSTRATION COULD ATTRACT PAID AGITATORS AND FOREIGN INFLUENCES, WARNS CROWD-FOR-HIRE CEO
Yet even as these events challenge the “peaceful” framework, a different variable looms: the possibility of paid agitators or external provocateurs. Adam Swart, CEO of Crowds on Demand, warned that “No Kings” was susceptible to such infiltration.
Swart told Fox News Digital that protests are often co-opted by groups “who make money from chaos,” not movements based on personal beliefs.
“What concerns me is that there are forces – some domestic, some perhaps foreign – that really want to divide America,” he said.
WATCH: Crowd-for-Houage CEO calls ‘No Kings’ protest ‘failed’, warns against outside agitators
Swart’s company declined any involvement in “No Kings,” calling it a “failure in the making,” but stressed that protests can appear like legitimate grassroots events while harboring hidden provocateurs.
Organizers, like Gilbert, defend their approach: They say they organize threat monitoring, online verification, volunteer security teams, nonviolence training and coordination for reporting suspicious behavior.
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Stepheny Price of Fox News Digital contributed to this report.
