Hundreds Rally In Clayton For “No Kings” Protest

JOHNSTON COUNTY – Approximately 500 people gathered in Clayton Town Square on Saturday as part of the national “No Kings” day of protest, joining thousands across the country to voice concerns about what organizers call an “excessive concentration of executive power” in the presidency.

  • Johnston County Report Photo by John Payne
  • Johnston County Report Photo by John Payne
  • Johnston County Report Photo by John Payne
  • Johnston County Report Photo by John Payne
  • Johnston County Report Photo by John Payne
  • Johnston County Report Photo by John Payne
  • Johnston County Report Photo by John Payne
  • Johnston County Report Photo by John Payne

The Clayton event featured speakers from advocacy organizations including Veterans for Responsible Leadership, Down Home NC, Moms Demand Action, and JoCo Pride. Participants carried signs and chanted messages supporting democratic values, voting rights, and governmental accountability.

While the protest remained peaceful, law enforcement maintained a heavy presence throughout the event. A small number of counterprotesters were also present but did not disrupt the demonstration.

In addition to the Clayton gathering, a few dozen “No Kings” demonstrators rallied outside the Johnston County Courthouse in Smithfield, holding signs along Market Street to reach passing motorists.

Organizers described both events as part of a coordinated effort to promote civic engagement and peaceful protest. The movement’s slogan, “No Kings,” reflects its focus on resisting authoritarian tendencies and advocating for checks and balances within the federal government.

Some Republican officials and conservative groups have expressed skepticism about the movement, viewing it as overly critical of the current administration and dismissive of existing constitutional safeguards. They argue that concerns about executive overreach are often politically motivated and that the presidency remains subject to established checks through the legislative and judicial branches, as well as the electoral process.

Saturday’s demonstrations follow a previous nationwide protest on June 14, including a demonstration in Clayton.

No incidents or arrests were reported at either location.

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81 Comments

    • Very disheartening to read so many negative comments from MAGA people. Aren’t you worried about your rights and the treatment of others who aren’t like you. And you pretend to have Christian values. I only see fear and jealousy and bigotry in the GOP. For gods’ sake! Stop blaming Biden and Obama for the failures of the current administration!

        • What peace? Hamas and Israel are fighting again. The truce is broken. Trump is a failure in international negotiations.

      • The comments are negative because the premise of these protests have zero merit.

        #1 The US has never been under a King’s rule since 7/4/1776

        #2 Kings are not elected. Our President was – not just by electoral college but also by popular vote.

        #3 If Trump was a King he wouldn’t have to wait on any court to give him any ruling on any challenge to his dictates. If he was King he could reopen the government right now by decree and not wait on Congress do their jobs. I don’t see him doing any of that which means the laws and procedures are being followed as currently set forth by law.

        #4. Ousting illegals from
        This country is his job. Whether t you want to accept it or not, people who have not followed the process to come here LEGALLY like so many others have, are here illegally. To do something illegal means you are a criminal.

        I have zero problems either people immigrating here so long sd it is done in the legal and fair way. I do have a problem with my taxpayer money going to support these people instead of American citizens who pay taxes. That’s not hateful that is common sense. If someone chooses to donate money towards their causes, fine that is their choice. Where our taxpayer money goes isn’t by our choice and I expect the government to help its citizens first.

      • What do you mean about rights? I voted for mass deportations. Just like if I entered Mexico illegally and started working they would deport me. It’s federal law and Democrat cities have ignored the laws for years. My town looks like Central America. After what the Biden administration did inviting and releasing over 10 million in 3 and a half years I don’t care. They funded the invasion with our tax dollars through USAID. Giving billions to NGO’s to facilitate the migration.

      • I have Christian values…………therefore, I don’t break the law by crossing illegally into a sovereign nation. I will treat anyone that is not a criminal with the respect they deserve. I could care less where you are from, what you look like or your politics……but breaking the law is crossing a line. BTW, my mother entered this country, went through the proper citizenship procedure and is now an American citizen.

        Also, I don’t see the failure of the current administration. I know I safer and the economy forecast is much brighter than with the previous administration. Unfortunately, the dolt running the previous administration will go to his maker without even remembering the mess he made.

      • So a new president comes in and decides to do something to reduce crimes against Americans by illegals and to reduce illegal drug activity. Yet, instead of thanking him, people want to throw tantrums and hold silly little rallies. They want to defend criminals from other countries instead of defending fellow Americans?
        You see fear, jealousy and bigotry in the GOP because that’s the only buffet you eat from. Do yourself a favor and step away from the feeding trough for a week. You’ll feel better.

  2. I don’t remember these dolts protesting when Biden decreed Covid shots for federal workers, businesses to shut down and proclaiming that his peoples were pardoned. TDS is real and useful idiots aren’t afraid to show it.

    • You’re exactly right. The censorship and authoritarianism under The Biden regime was historic. Of course they were allowed to do it because of an all too willing media and institutions.

  3. The only thing that I see in the photos is a bunch of pathetic, white liberal subversives. Label them domestic terrorists like Antifa.

  5. This is what liberals do. They protest. Whenever they lose a presidential election they protest. Their problem is the media they consume. Liberal media dishes fear and chaos. It’s political. If you are a liberal and aren’t actively searching and consuming any right wing media then you’re either misinformed or not totally informed. The Democrats and their media are just making noise. Block the noise. Headlines and stories are to invoke emotions. If you are finding yourself angry or upset a lot, stop consuming partisan media.

    • So you forgot about what happened on January 6th, 2021? Liberals aren’t the only ones who protest. I guess this is what Republicans do. Republicans problem is that they take the trash that Republican officials leave behind.

      • lol that was literally a coup, that was democratic hired fbi agents in plain clothes. I understand why you don’t know that though it’s all because of the news you consume.

  11. This is not a representation of our nation. These are a handful of people who have bought into lies and propaganda. So so sad.😞

  15. Wonder how much they were paid to be there and what print shop made all them signs? The only photo that made sense was the truck with the Trump flag. I’d bet 99.9% of those liberals are not even from JoCo.

    • I was there. I’m also a 40+ year old woman that has lived in Clayton since birth. My whole family was there. But ok sure… not from Joco…

        • Stating a fact is not bragging… Would rather be with my township and peers standing for something we believe in, than eating junk food and scrolling MAGA news on the couch… which is likely what you and all these other keyboard warriors were doing.

          • That’s absolutely hilarious little fella. Maybe if the United States actually had a King the protest would be worth it. Since we don’t have a King you’re little pathetic protest is just a waste of time and space. Did anything change Monday morning? 🤔🤔 It’s now 5 o’clock PM and Trump is still your President. How does it feel to be a tool of the Democratic party?

  16. These “No Kings” Protests are exactly what you think they are. One of their biggest sponsors and donors is the communist party of America. Does nobody see the irony in shouting No Kings while supporting the communists 😂

  17. Here we see the results of excessive marijuana use during the boomers younger years.

    This batch apparently was bussed in from Chapel Hill

  21. It is pure hatred! Nothing else! We all have to think the same way otherwise we are labeled evil?! People can have different opinions and beliefs and remain respectful to each other surely? I saw children crying with fear at the screaming from the “No Kings” protesters. Absolutely disgraceful behavior and not a productive way to express your opinion. It is nothing short of barbaric, antisocial, and hideous behavior which is essentially counter productive! I suggest finding a more appropriate and alternative way to express yourself in public and around children! Other than scaring children and inconveniencing people….Genuinely curious as to what it accomplished? What happened to respectful communication? NOBODY, regardless of their political beliefs has the right to act in such an uncouth and aggressive manner. Accomplished scaring children and visitors to the town! Made zero difference to anything! Where’s the christianity gone? Praying 🙏 for all with hateful hearts.

    • Clearly you weren’t there. My husband and I were. No children crying with fear – instead, laughing at the Big Frog and other costumes. No scared visitors – including us. Why paint an inaccurate portrait? We were proud to participate and plan to spend more time in Clayton – we live in Garner.

  22. I would take them seriously if I didn’t know why they were “protesting”. I recently saw a photo of Doug emhoff ( Kamala’s husband) holding a sign that read “if Kamala had won, we would be at brunch right now”. The reality is, they are “protesting” because they lost the election not because of some moral superiority or policy….because they don’t have any.

    • The best post of the thread.

      They lost the election, so they’re back to “Orange Man Bad” as their entire political narrative.

      They have no ideas, no vision, no focus, no plan, just name calling and hate.

      JoCo is Trump Country! MAGA!

  23. I think it’s really sad that Trump supporters claim to be Christians. Christians help others that are in need, not only one race. Trump is for the rich people, and the sooner people realize it the better off things will be Trump supporters are just racist and really don’t care about what’s going on. But if you are poor or middle class, you will see real soon how Trump don’t care about nobody unless you are rich. And far as Gaza, I’m glad that he did what he did. But he needs to fix the division in the United States before he makes peace in other countries. HELP FIX THE DIVISION IN THE UNITED STATES!!

    • By “Fix the division” do you mean give democrats what they want so they won’t throw their temper tantrum anymore? Seems to me your post is more divisive than any policy. You claim people who support Trumps policies are racist. You claim that either everyone who supports Trumps policies are fake Christians. You claim every supporter doesn’t care about what’s going on. If anyone is divisive…. ITS YOU. POT MEET KETTLE.

    • HELP FIX THE DIVISION IN THE UNITED STATES!!
      Your entire post was divisive. Trump supporters are this, Trump supporters are that etc. etc. This is one reason I don’t take democrats seriously. Your hypocrisy is never ending. You claim to care about the lives of children in Gaza and around the world yet advocate abortion. You claim to care about democracy yet cheer when a peaceful person like Charlie Kirk is assassinated. You claim to want peace yet call for violence. You claim trumps a threat to democracy yet party leaders falsify records to spy on, arrest, and attempt to keep off the ballot a political opponent. You claim all Trump supporters are racist, which is in fact a racist statement in and of itself. The Bible states “why point out the speck in your brothers eye and not see the plank in your own”.

    • Perhaps your rhetoric is part of the great division. True Christians follow the Bible. Therefore, they cannot believe that abortions are okay. They cannot believe that violence is the answer to disagreements. They cannot believe that LGBTQ+ is good. Also – Christians don’t HATE other races.
      Stereotyping all Trump supporters as Christians and racists is also a fallacy. True Christians know that one human isn’t going to change what has been promised in Revelation.
      So instead of creating more divide, perhaps you could simply embrace the good things in life and let go of the things that create hatred in your heart. That, along with lots of prayer may relieve your TDS symptoms and allow you to actually enjoy life again.

    • I didn’t vote either way but, as adults we are responsible to set an example for our children. If my children name called or disrespected another human purely because they felt differently, and that is both parties…… I would be so disappointed. As adults we are responsible for teaching respect and kindness to all so that hopefully they may realize that a United nation is a powerful nation. And that hate (whether you are republican or democrat) has no place in a peaceful, safe and frankly nicer Society for them. I am praying for all and will continue to teach my children kindness regardless of people’s opinions, race, religious beliefs, gender etc. Kindness goes both ways! If we cannot have a difference of opinion or lifestyle without hate what hope do we have, if politics was not a topic of discussion, I believe all would get along just fine.

  24. Look at all that ignorance in one area. Its amazing just how proud the Democrats are to show off just how ignorant they are. By the way can anyone tell me how many times the word Democracy is in our Constitution?

  25. DJT to Fox news in 2013 on government shutdowns:

    In 2013, during an interview with Fox News about the government shutdown, Donald Trump stated that a shutdown was a sign of a weak president. He placed the ultimate blame on the person in the Oval Office.

    The quote:
    “A shutdown falls on the president’s lack of leadership. He can’t even control his own party and get people together in a room. A shutdown means the president is weak”.
    Additional 2013 statements:
    In a separate interview that year, Trump said, “If there is a shutdown, I think it would be a tremendously negative mark on the president of the United States. He’s the one who has to get people together”.

    Time to shutdown Trump for his failure to lead.

      • Never did shut down under Biden, but it did shut down 3 times under Trump 1. Don’t forget Trump himself said that a government shutdown is the sign of a weak president, and we all know Trump is a sissy

    • Back in 2013, the people in Congress weren’t quite as unhinged. At least they acted with more respect when disagreements happened. Now, the adults behave like schoolchildren. Ridiculous and embarrassing.

    • Ummm, I think you’re a little uninformed, the reason why the government to shut down is because Democrats refuse to even vote on a continuing resolution. It has nothing to do with the policy or Republicans voting. Democrats will not vote on a CR. it it’s interesting that you like to pick and choose quotes that you think demeans Trump’s policies when literally it is the Democrats who are refusing to vote for the very continuing resolution. They voted for 13 times in the last four years… The very continuing resolution they created

  26. After reading the responses, most of them contain hate and ignorance. This is why Americans are having No Kings rallies and why these rallies will continue and keep getting bigger. Just saying

  27. I don’t see any royalty, but I do see alot of Court Jesters. These people literally wasted an entire day holding signs and looking silly and for what? Trump does not care… He’s well within his Presidential rights to do what he’s doing and crying about it with signs in the public isn’t a good look. When the DUMBACRATS were in office we didn’t do things like this.. We didn’t do things like this because we had jobs, common sense and knew it would be over soon. Just GROW UP, ACCEPT YOU LOST, DEAL WITH IT AND MOVE ON WITH YOUR MISERABLE LIVES..

  28. We are not born hateful, it is taught through upbringing and media. Imagine setting an example for our children so that their future is better. A united nation is powerful and therefore bigger issues could be fixed. Kindness regardless?

  30. There is a darker evil that has entered the country across open borders around the world. Open borders in American, open borders in England, Spain, Ireland, and many others. Folks like these protestors are easily manipulated by pulling their heart strings. The are blind sheep; following the voices of a false idol…politics. NO politicians will save you. Stop devoting your lives to them. Protestors are fighting for whats on the left hand, while the right hand is doing something more sinister. This divisiveness is fed to both sides of the political isle on purpose. It is by design. These evil Luciferians want you fighting constantly because it consumes your attention and your time. Meanwhile, they are in the shadows changing the world and introducing an evil like no other. Snap out of it…ALL of you! You are being manipulated. Jesus is The ONLY Way. Jesus unites His Creation and Lucifer divides. Think as a Creation, not as a country. Wake up…there is something much worse going on…

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