Thousands of people lined the suburban streets in Frisco, Plano and McKinney in the rain for the October No Kings protest against the Trump administration.
Frisco and Plano are in Collin County, one of the fastest growing areas in the nation according to the U.S. Census. It’s known for being a Republican stronghold and the home base of conservative Attorney General Ken Paxton. It’s also home to Rep. Mihaela Plesa from Plano, the first Democratic state representative elected to the Texas statehouse from Collin County in 30 years.
Jenny Colombo stood by a traffic light in Plano holding a rainbow trimmed sign that said “The Emperor Has No Clothes,” referencing a children’s story where people were too afraid to tell an emperor his clothing was invisible.
“I feel President Trump is the epitome of that character,” Colombo said. “Everybody is just walking around him, everybody can see what’s going on, and they’re all just supporting him blindly.”
Colombo has lived in Plano for 35 years. She said the area has changed politically.
“When I first moved to Collin County, I was very much outnumbered in the political spectrum,” Colombo said.
McKinney also had hundreds of protesters lining the expressway standing in the rain for the protest. Paxton and his wife, State Sen. Angela Paxton, who has filed to divorce her husband, live in McKinney.
Caroline Hong, who was born and raised in McKinney, said she didn't expect people in her hometown would protest Trump.
"I'm just impressed McKinney's even having a No Kings protest," Hong said.
Dallas protesters turn up by the thousands
Meanwhile, south of Collin County, thousands packed the Pacific Plaza in downtown Dallas at noon to voice their frustration with the current Trump Administration.
At the top of mind for most protestors was their concern over federal overreach from the executive branch and ongoing immigration raids from ICE.
One protester, who only identified themselves as Pat, said that, as a first-generation immigrant from Guyana, she is furious to see how much power Immigration Customs and Enforcement (ICE) has received during this administration.
“To see all these people getting their families broken up, people being pulled off the streets for no other reason but living and trying to survive is absolutely ridiculous,” said Pat.
Diverse protesters filled the crowd, including 72-year-old Susan Wansbrough who compared the nationwide No Kings movement to the anti-Vietnam War protests if the 1970s.
“A lot of us older folks remember how much of an impact protests can make in changing things,” Wansbrough said. “I was out there during Vietnam and I never thought at my age I would still have to be out here doing this kind of thing. But I’m up for it, I am going to do it anyway.”
Free speech violations are something that brought out protester Glenn Moore. Moore said that after the brief cancellation of late-night host Jimmy Kimmel, he was worried about what other pressures the administration would bring.
“Once we’re villainized for saying what we think, that’s a problem,” said Moore. “I think the free speech was the main reason that ensured that I would be here today.”
Despite the heavy rain, the demonstration remained calm and spirited, with multiple attendees describing a strong sense of unity and optimism throughout the crowd.
“People are excited,” said Moore. “I actually feel really good being here. It doesn't feel sad. It feels like we still have hope. And there's a good energy and a good vibe here.”
