Residents took to the streets of downtown Ocala on Saturday morning to stage a protest against the administration of President Donald J. Trump, carrying signs that criticized his policies and character, as well as United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
The demonstration on Jan. 17 saw participants lining the sidewalks near the downtown square, waving flags and holding placards that addressed a variety of national issues, with a particular focus on immigration and the rule of law.
Check out the photo gallery from today’s protest:
Several signs explicitly targeted ICE, including messages such as “Abolish ICE,” “Get ICE out of USA for GOOD!” and “Speak up for those who can’t! Families Belong Together” were visible along the roadway.
Another major theme seen throughout the protest was the rejection of authoritarianism, as has become common at the “No Kings” rallies. Multiple signs cited the movement’s name, with one proclaiming “Rejecting Kings Since 1776” and another stating “Democracy over Dictatorship.”
Signs also described President Trump as a “convicted felon,” accusing his administration of “corruption in plain sight.”
One graphic sign crossed out symbols of historical oppression (i.e., a crown, a Confederate hat, and a Nazi helmet), alongside a red “MAGA” hat with the caption “3 Down 1 To Go.”
The assembly included demonstrators of various ages, some standing on street corners and others seated in lawn chairs, encouraging drivers to “Honk if Trump is on the list.”
The protests on Saturday morning follow months of similar protests in Ocala.
Last weekend, individuals lined the same areas in downtown in protest of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), just days after an officer-involved shooting that claimed the life of a 37-year-old Minnesota woman. The same weekend, another group of protestors held signs along an overpass above Interstate 75.
Protestors also filled the streets of downtown Ocala in October in opposition to the administration of President Donald Trump, and similar demonstrations were held in August and June.
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