Protesters started gathering early in areas around the Tampa Bay region, eager to be part of a nationwide day of "No Kings" demonstrations against the direction of the country under President Donald Trump.
Hundreds gathered in Sarasota's Payne Park at 9 a.m. holding homemade signs with phrases like "This is what democracy looks like." Some dressed in inflatable frog and unicorn costumes — a nod to protesters in Portland, Oregon who started wearing costumes to battle the narrative that they are violent members of antifa who hate the country.
More than a dozen "No Kings" protests took place around the region, part of more than 2,600 scheduled around the country in cities large and small.
While the earlier protests this year — against Elon Musk's cuts in spring, then to counter Trump's military parade in June — drew crowds, organizers say this one is building a more unified opposition movement. Top Democrats such as Senate Leader Chuck Schumer and Independent Sen. Bernie Sanders are joining in what organizers view as an antidote to Trump's actions, from the administration's clampdown on free speech to its military-style immigration raids.
In Sarasota, there were speakers, music and a jovial atmosphere among the protesters.
Yvonne Lizarazo said she participated in hopes of bringing unity to the country and to show that there are more people against the direction the nation is heading in than there are for it.
"We're tired of seeing our constitution trampled on, people being kidnapped off the street," she said referring to the administration's crackdown on undocumented immigrants. "It's horrifying and I'm really scared for the direction our country is going in right now."
Gene Jones is a member of Florida Veterans for Common Sense who served in the Air Force.
"If all of us as citizens stand up, we can really stop this consolidation of a dictatorship," he said "I think what's dividing us is this MAGA regime. That's bringing out the hate in some people, and it needs to be stopped."
Others pointed out what they called the weaponization of government against people who don't share the administration's ideas.
"They call these peaceful protesters terrorists, and they want to use that as an excuse to get the terrorists acts going so they can weaponize and militarize our government," said Manny Lopez, who carried a snare drum like those carried by soldiers during the revolutionary war. "This is constitutional law not martial law."
Sarasota police made no arrests and had no reports of violence, a spokeswoman said.
In Tampa, a protest at City Hall got underway at 4 p.m. A crowd of people stretched for at least three blocks. Later, the group marched to Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park.
Several were dressed in inflatable suits and some carried upside down American flags to show the country is in distress. The protesters appeared peaceful and no counter protesters were seen along the route.
Marine veteran Eric Rhodes said he came out because he's concerned about his benefits from the Department of Veterans affairs.
He said his appointments at the VA are being delayed by several months and he also sees a lot of attrition. He worries the VA will transition his medical care to civilian doctors.
He said he needs access to mental health services from people who understand what he went through in combat.
“That’s why I’m still here, because they understand," Rhodes said. "They understand more than sending me out to a civilian doctor.”
In response to Rhodes comments, a spokesman for the VA said the agency is required by law to provide care in the community and that type of care has not increased under President Trump. Also, average wait times for health care at the VA are down for most appointments under Trump, the spokesman said.
Anthony Randolph said protesting wasn’t about how Trump’s policies affect him.
“That I can deal with,” he said.
Instead, it was about how the government affects his neighbors, the country and people in other countries, including the Gaza Strip.
He brought his grandson Eze to show him how to make his voice heard.
“And hopefully he doesn't have to bring his grandkids to this or his kids to something like this,” Randolph said.
Denis Ortiz was among those carrying an upside down American flag as she marched through Tampa.
Ortiz says the economy is affecting her every day.
“What I used to pay for the month, I’m having to pay almost every week,” she said.
She's also dealing with racism. She's from Puerto Rico and since Trump started cracking down on immigration, people have been making comments.
"The amount of times people still tell me I’m going to get deported and I’m like, 'I'm a U.S. Citizen by birth,'" Ortiz said.
Information from the Associated Press was used in this story.
