YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio - Despite downpours and political fatigue, demonstrators across the Mahoning and Shenango Valleys turned out Saturday for “No Kings” event, a nationwide protest movement pushing back against authoritarianism and promoting civic action.

Protests were held in Grove City, Warren, Hermitage, Mercer, and Youngstown, as part of a coordinated effort across all 50 states and multiple countries to reject what organizers describe as the rise of strongman politics and erosion of democratic norms.

In Grove City, protesters gathered in the rain with umbrellas, flags, and signs reading “No Kings” and “Defend Democracy.” For many, braving the weather was symbolic of their determination.

“We live in a democracy, not a dictatorship, and that's where I see us going,” said Sunny Hindman, who traveled from Hamilton to attend. “We don't need to spend $30 million dollars on a parade, when that $30 million could be going towards Medicaid or the SNAP benefits... People fought and died so we have the right to vote, and if we don’t stand up, we’ll be no better than Russia or North Korea.”

Hindman said “No Kings” event gave her the final push to stop sitting on the sidelines.

"I saw No Kings Day, and that's when I decided I need to come out of here, show my support, and realize this is a democracy and we have the right to protest," she said.

In Warren, a clearer sky welcomed a growing crowd organized by Good Trouble Trumbull, the Trumbull County division of the national Indivisible movement. Attendees there voiced similar frustrations — focusing not only on presidential politics but also broader issues like reproductive rights, labor protections, LGBTQ+ inclusion, and immigrant justice.

Eric Varga, one of the Warren event organizers, said showing up physically matters.

“We need to let everyone know. We need to show everyone we're here. We have a voice, and we need people to see us,” Varga said. “What's going on is not right, and we need to fix it.”

Participants in all three cities said they felt encouraged by the turnout — and united in their concerns about the direction of the country. Many called the protests not an endpoint, but a starting point for further civic engagement leading up to the November election.

Organizers say the message is simple: democracy only works when people show up — rain or shine.