Saturday "No Kings" Rally Largest Yet In Uptown
Cops & Kids and Horses - History Lesson Afternoon At Hanby House
Thousands Fill Uptown Westerville in One of the Largest Political Protests in City History
A crowd estimated by organizers to be as many as 5,000 people filled Uptown Westerville on Saturday for the city’s “No Kings” rally—part of a coordinated series of Flag Day protests across the country opposing the presidency of Donald Trump. Demonstrators packed both sides of State Street from Main to Park Streets, creating one of the largest political turnouts the city has seen.
The scene was defined by the variety of protest signs, including a man carrying a black-and-white American flag reading “RESIST” while raising his fist in defiance. Nearby, a military veteran sat in a wheelchair, holding a banner that read, “I Served. Now I Resist,” flanked by women holding signs that demanded better leadership for those who served.
Among the early arrivals was a woman wrapped in a Puerto Rican flag, holding a sign that read “We Are All Immigrants.” She stood in front of a long line of protesters waving rainbow flags, upside-down American flags, and hand-drawn placards criticizing what they see as authoritarianism, racism, and government overreach.
Many carried homemade signs—some serious, some satirical. One read “No Faux-King Way,” while another showed a photo of a house cat with the caption “My Cat Could Run This Country Better.” A number of signs featured the number “8647,” widely interpreted as a call to remove the 47th president from office.
From young children to elderly veterans, the crowd reflected a wide range of backgrounds and motivations. Some expressed themselves in their loudest voice. Others stood quietly. Many simply held signs—“No Kings,” “Respect Existence or Expect Resistance,” and “We Are Not OK”—as passing cars honked in support.
Organizers called the protest a reminder that opposition to Trump’s policies remains active and widespread. The Westerville rally was one of dozens nationwide timed around Flag Day to emphasize constitutional values and public accountability.
The event remained peaceful, with no major disruptions, and a steady flow of people gathered on the sidewalk and between parked cars, and then dispersed just over an hour after the rally began.
Horseplay Encouraged at Cops & Kids Day
At Saturday’s Cops & Kids Day in Hoff Woods Park, families lined up for a chance to meet horses from the Columbus Police Mounted Unit—one of the more popular attractions at the annual event. Children reached out to pet the horses under the watchful eye of mounted officers, with some needing a lift from parents to get close enough. One boy wearing a police-themed shirt grinned as he leaned from his mother’s arms to touch the horse’s bridle, while his younger sister gently stroked its nose.
Now in its 31st year, Cops & Kids Day has grown into a key tradition in Westerville, designed to build trust between police and the youngest members of the community. The event, launched in 1993 by Officer Anita Baron, began as a small gathering and has evolved into a festival that draws more than 3,000 people and over 50 agencies from across the state.
Saturday’s lineup included S.W.A.T. gear, flyovers by police helicopters, safety demos, and games. But for many children, moments like these—close enough to touch a police horse—left the biggest impression.
Historian Highlights Life of Otterbein Trailblazer Kate Winter Hanby at Hanby House Event
Historian Stephen Grinch led a series of talks Saturday afternoon at the Hanby House, highlighting the life and legacy of Kate Winter Hanby, one of Otterbein University’s first female graduates and a pioneer in her own right. Seated in the Shoemaker Cottage, attendees listened as Grinch shared stories about Hanby’s resilience, including her decision to remain unmarried after the early death of her husband, composer Ben Hanby.
Part of Otterbein’s first graduating class in 1857, Kate Winter Hanby broke with 19th-century norms by supporting her family as a teacher and farmer. She later became Otterbein’s oldest living alumna, remembered for her independence and dedication to education.
The event, free and open to the public, was part of an afternoon of programming that included guided tours of the historic Hanby House.
The Westerville News is a reader-supported publication by Gary Gardiner, a lifelong journalist who believes hyper-local reporting is the future of news. This publication focuses exclusively on Westerville—its local news, influence on Central Ohio, and how surrounding areas shape the community.
Explore more hyper-local reporting by subscribing to The Hilliard Beacon, Civic Capacity, Marysville Matters, The Ohio Roundtable, Shelby News Reporter, and This Week in Toledo.
