Hundreds of people gathered for a “No Kings” rally on Saturday in downtown Blaine, one of thousands of demonstrations across the nation protesting the Trump administration.
Americans and Canadians alike demonstrated during the hour-long Blaine rally, organized by Blaine-based grassroots organization Indivisible 4th Corner. Protesters displayed signs of varying messages against the Trump administration at G Street Plaza, in front of the Black Forest building and by Hill’s Chevron as speakers and singers addressed the audience.
Co-organizer Cathe Hargenrader estimated about 250 people attended the rally, one of Blaine’s largest protests in recent years. This was the first “No Kings” rally in Blaine after two other “No Kings” rallies occurred nationwide in June and October of last year.
Indivisible 4th Corner, which formed last year, protests at 1 p.m. every Saturday in G Street Plaza. It also holds special rallies, such as for Presidents’ Day and the five-year anniversary of the Jan. 6 U.S. Capitol attack, which paid tribute to people who defended the nation’s Capitol.
The group aims to “stand up, speak up and resist the Trump-led goal to tear down our nation’s democracy,” according to its website.
Among protesters was Blaine resident Ren Sapp, who said as a transgender person, they’ve experienced significantly more difficulty finding healthcare and support systems since the Trump administration took office.
“You have to hide now,” Sapp said. “There are so many people out there who are against it because of what the Trump administration has done.”
Vancouver resident Reid Moorsmith drove about an hour to attend the Blaine protest. Moorsmith, an American citizen, said he wanted his voice to have a larger impact in a smaller community, as opposed to attending a larger protest like in Bellingham.
“I’m distressed and angry at the state of affairs, which is to say the way the U.S. is being misgoverned,” Moorsmith said. “I don’t think enough is being done day-to-day to push back, to resist, to fight so that the worst results of the path we’re on can be avoided.”
Ferndale resident Ann Meyer said she attended the rally for a multitude of reasons, including families being torn apart by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and the war in Iran being started without the consent of the people.
“It’s important to stand up and say that we’re all in this together,” Meyer said. “It’s a way of starting to practice the community we want and show solidarity with people whose lives have been deeply impacted.”
Birch Bay residents Lorilei Pinley and Cheryl Johnson said the rally allowed them to get involved after being worried about having their rights taken away.
For Johnson, she believes it’s become more difficult to get a job after diversity, equity and inclusion was taken away. She also believes federal policies have contributed to more families visiting the Blaine Food Bank, where she’s volunteered since February 2025.
“It’s important for us to stand up now while we still can,” Pinley said. “We’re living in really difficult times. I never thought I’d see our country like this and so divided.”
Blaine resident Debbie Browning, 73, said this was the first political protest she’d attended. Browning voted in the first election she was eligible, the 1972 Nixon v. McGovern presidential election, and didn’t vote again until 2016 in an attempt to defeat Trump. Browning said women's rights and equality were some of her biggest concerns.
“Fairness is why I’m out here,” Browning said. “It’s very simple.”
