Protesters rally across North Carolina against Trump administration

ASHEVILLE, N.C. (WLOS) — Chants echoed throughout Western North Carolina and across the nation as thousands of protesters took to the streets on Saturday to rally against President Trump and his policies.

In Brevard, demonstrators gathered on Main Street at the Transylvania County Courthouse as part of a national day of action. The protests were sparked by recent administration policies, including immigration reform, healthcare rollbacks, and environmental deregulation.

Organizers emphasized that the protests were about more than politics. "It’s about protecting rights and demanding accountability," they said. Community members gathered at Pack Square Park to join the growing national movement, participating in grassroots advocacy and citizen-led conversations.

The People’s Town Hall for Liberty and Activism Fair built on the momentum from the April 5 "Hands Off Protest" rallies. Despite the absence of invited members of Congress, organizers said the conversation would continue. An activism fair behind Town Hall provided information on how people can get involved, volunteer, or support ongoing efforts.

"It’s a hands-on way for citizens to turn their passion into action," organizers said.

In Durham, voices joined the national rallies as part of a coordinated day of action. On Halifax Mall, a large crowd sent a message to Washington, D.C., chanting, "Tell me what democracy looks like!" and responding, "This is what democracy looks like!"

Cynthia Smith, a Raleigh resident, said, "I was at the Hands Off protest, I've been going to the Tesla takedown protests, I've been to four of those." The protest brought together diverse participants, including Wake County elementary students like Eleanor Herman, who said, "I feel proud that I was able to be here today," and immigrants like Christian Ananda, who noted, "It is bringing people together from all walks of life."

The protest was organized by a coalition, including the 50501 movement, with demands for due process for all, citizen and non-citizen alike. Ann Silverman, a Pittsboro resident, said, "Habeas Corpus. Find out. Go through the courts."

Ahead of the protest, the North Carolina GOP weighed in. Spokesperson Matt Mercer stated, "While Democrats are championing the cause of an illegal immigrant gang member this week, President Trump and Republicans are delivering wins for the American people."

Leah Fowler, an ex-EPA employee, said she has attended multiple demonstrations recently, but this one felt different. "Every single week that goes by, I think we're getting more and more people who are realizing, like, Oh no, like, this is way, way worse than we could have ever anticipated," she said.

Saturday's protest followed a Meredith College poll released this week, which found that 41% of likely North Carolina voters approve of Trump's job performance, down from 47% in February. Cynthia Smith expressed her dissatisfaction, saying, "I'm fighting for our democracy, I'm fighting for our environment."

In Raleigh, the "March for Justice and Unity" drew hundreds downtown, highlighting issues of racial justice, civil rights, and government accountability.