WEST PALM BEACH — Fabiana Carrizales has voted twice for President Donald Trump since she became a U.S. citizen. On Oct. 17, however, she joined a “No Kings” protest in West Palm Beach, saying she’d had enough.
Standing on the lawn outside the Target store on Palm Beach Lakes Boulevard, the Venezuela native said she is horrified at Trump’s immigration policies and the rising cost of living, especially gas prices.
“What Trump is doing is not what I voted for,” Carrizales said. “I stand for democracy, not Trump, and definitely not a king.”
Carrizales was among hundreds of people who joined five “No Kings” demonstrations across Palm Beach County on Oct. 17, challenging Trump’s policies and urging people to vote this fall.
Events from Boca Raton to Wellington
to Palm Beach Gardens filled street corners 17 days before the Nov. 3 elections, when voters will choose who represents them in Congress and could deny Trump’s Republican party the majorities it now commands in the House and the Senate.
Trump himself was in Palm Beach County on Oct. 17. He arrived at his Mar-a-Lago mansion in Palm Beach late on Oct. 16 for a Republican National Committee gathering, then traveled to Kentucky for a rally the following afternoon.
He was scheduled to return to the county late on Oct. 16 for a MAGA Inc. event and then fly back to Washington on Oct. 17 from the airport renamed for him this summer.
Hundreds gathered for 'No Kings' on hot day in Palm Beach County
The demonstrations took place on a hot day that saw temperatures climb into the high 80s and brought moments of rain to the West Palm Beach gathering.
Volunteer paramedics who set up a first-aid station along PGA Boulevard in Palm Beach Gardens ran out of water and Gatorade before their event ended.
Fewer protesters appeared in costume than at past gatherings, even though the event was two weeks to the day before Halloween.
As at past protests, the signs bore crisp statements, some of them targeting Trump and others touching the theme of casting ballots on Nov. 3.
Marion Lang, 87, held a sign at the Boca Raton rally bearing that single word: Vote.
The Delray Beach native said the Boca Raton demonstration was her fourth "No Kings" day.
“I believe in democracy and I’m sick of what’s happening in this country,” she said. “I’m most concerned of losing democracy. We need a Republican Party but one who believes in the Constitution.”
A few of those attending the demonstrations took creative risks.
Dave Flemming, a commercial real estate agent and a poet from North Palm Beach, said he has begun using artificial intelligence to create anti-Trump songs and gave several their public debuts in Palm Beach Gardens.
Some of his fellow demonstrators occasionally broke into dance to songs like "Dressing the Clown," "The Moron Dance” and "What If Fox Stops Telling Lies." Others seemed indifferent and tried to shout over them.
The indie-pop singer Earth to Eve performed at the West Palm Beach demonstration, singing her single “No Kings.” Police said they could not let her sing with a microphone, but she performed the song without one.
A few people showed their creativity in the way they dressed.
Harvey Rosenfeld donned a red, white and blue hat with a matching scarf, tote bag and sunglasses for the West Palm Beach demonstration. Even the soles of his sneakers had American flags on them.
Rosenfeld had a sign hanging from his neck that read: “Be patriotic. Oppose Trumpism. Honor America.”
“Patriotism is not a matter of Republican or Democrat,” Rosenfeld said. “It’s a matter of respect for the voters, for the populace and for all Americans.”
Fewer pro-Trump counterprotests than at past 'No Kings' events
Counterprotesters supporting Trump had less of a presence at the Oct. 17 rallies than at earlier events. Some cars drove by demonstrators bearing the Stars and Stripes. A few people in MAGA hats engaged with “No Kings” activists in West Palm Beach, but the moments were limited to words.
Theresa Beermann, 67, a former English teacher at Dreyfoos School of the Arts, said the Palm Beach Gardens protest was her third “No Kings” rally.
She said one thing that has impressed her about the demonstrations is the size and diversity of the crowds.
“I think it’s fantastic how many people come out. All ages, all races,” she said.
That enthusiasm would carry some demonstrators to two events on Oct. 17. Several people at the Boca Raton event said they would drive north to join another “No Kings” event in Boynton Beach that afternoon. A fifth event took place near the Veterans Memorial in Wellington.
Arianna Otero covers breaking news and residential real estate for The Palm Beach Post. Contact her via email at AOtero@pbpost.com and follow her on X: @ari_v_otero.
Valentina Palm covers immigration and breaking news for The Palm Beach Post. Email her at vpalm@pbpost.com and follow her on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter, at @ValenPalmB.
Hannah Phillips covers public safety and criminal justice at The Palm Beach Post. You can reach her at hphillips@pbpost.com.
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This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Hundreds join 'No Kings' rallies to target Trump, urge voting Nov. 3
