Needham ‘No Kings’ Rally Draws Hundreds
June 16, 2025
• Chants echoed through the Town Center Saturday afternoon as an estimated 1,000 people protested the Trump administration in one of many “No Kings” rallies across the country Saturday.
Huddled along Great Plain Avenue, attendees crowded each street corner, holding signs condemning President Trump and objecting to recent immigration-related raids. Participants who spoke with Needham Local expressed concern over unchecked federal power and questioned the legality of Trump’s actions.
At the corner of Great Plain and Highland Avenues, Needham resident Trudy Colburn displayed an upside-down American flag, signaling that “we’re in distress.” She and fellow Needhamite Susie Foos said they felt it necessary to speak up for immigrants.
“Imagine the National Guard here in Needham, I couldn’t believe that,” Colburn said. “I just can’t believe that he’s doing stuff like this.”
“He’s Hitler all over again,” Foos added, referring to Trump.
The nationwide protests were held in response to a military demonstration for Flag Day — also Trump’s birthday — held in Washington D.C. the same day. Protestors contend that Trump is acting beyond his power as president, leading people to label him a king.
During Trump’s first term, Foos said she helped guard a family of immigrants at a Newton church, fearing they would be deported. Members of her family are also immigrants, making the issue a personal one for her.
“We have to stand up for people like that,” she said, “and I’m glad to see that a lot of people are here today.”
Seeing the turnout, Annie Walsh, of West Roxbury, said she felt a palpable solidarity. Originally from Ireland, Walsh became a U.S. citizen at 21.
Walsh wore pink knitted beanie, popularized during the 2017 Women’s March, and a handmade sign on her chest that identified herself as an immigrant. She said she fears dark history is repeating itself.
“We’re all immigrants, so the fact that people are being treated so cruelly really disturbs me greatly,” Walsh said. “I’m afraid that eventually, they’re going to have to wear badges or patches like the Jews did and identify as immigrants.”
The crowd populated the sidewalks around the Town Common — organizers said the rally was not permitted for the space — and attendees overflowed onto adjacent street corners. Cars honked, protestors called for “ICE out of Massachusetts” and area folk musician Tom Smith played protest songs, altering the lyrics to fit the day’s theme.
Smith, who lives in Dedham, performed in Waltham’s “No Kings” rally earlier that morning. Asked what he’s protesting, he replied, “I don’t know where to start.”
“I want to have a return to democracy, to rule of law. I want to honor the beautiful diversity we have in this country. I want to honor people who are here illegally and being deported. There’s just so much,” Smith said. “Hopefully, we can raise enough energy for 2026, we can turn the boat around.”
About 300 people signed up to attend, organizer Gerry Rovner said, but despite slightly adverse weather, the overall turnout far exceeded that.
“It’s a tribute to the people of Needham that they’re making their voices heard,” Rovner said. “It absolutely indicates that somebody better pay attention to what’s happening.”
To air his own frustration, Rovner holds weekly standouts on Wednesdays from 4:45 to 5:45, often joined by about 30 people. After Saturday, he said he hopes more attend “once they realize there’s a vehicle for them to express their agony.”
The “No Kings” rally in Boston coincided with the city’s Pride parade, drawing more than a million attendees. More than 2,000 “No Kings” protests were scheduled across the country.
Massachusetts is often seen as a Democrat-blue haven, insulating its citizens from more Republican-aligned policy and action, but Walsh and recent Needham High School graduates Sal Caceres and Caroline Mahar said it’s still important to speak up.
For Walsh, she pointed to the increased support for Trump in the state over the last three elections, while Caceres and Mahar spoke about the power in numbers.
“I feel like you just have to do everything that you can feasibly do to fight for what’s right,” Mahar said. “Maybe one person doesn’t have that much power, but if a lot of people come together, then you have more power… One protest in Needham isn’t that big of a deal, but if it’s like a nationwide thing, [it matters].”
State Rep. Josh Tarsky addressed the crowd, who he said “is doing a great service to our civil rights and our First Amendment rights.” He said constituents are concerned about immigration, health care coverage and local universities.
“These are things that I’m hearing all the time from all three of the towns I represent, in Needham, Dover and Medfield, and I would say that the concerns are valid, that right now, these times do not seem ordinary,” Tarsky said. “So, when I come out to see a group like this, who’s taking the time and giving the due attention that we need to make our voices heard, I’m appreciative of the Constitutional guarantees that we’re allowed in this country.”
Rovner, Colburn and Foos said they hope the president and his cabinet are listening to the widespread dissent. Attendees spoke about their intention to hold additional rallies in opposition to the Trump administration.
“You can’t be quiet anymore,” Foos said.
