Under the banner of “No Kings,” a second wave of demonstrations swept through Wisconsin and other parts of the nation on Saturday as thousands of people took to the streets to protest against what they perceive as an authoritarian power grab by President Donald Trump.
In Milwaukee, Cathedral Square Park became a hub of activity as participants gathered, carrying signs that poked fun at the president and wearing whimsical costumes, such as a frog suit and an inflatable Cookie Monster. This trend of using humor in demonstrations was first seen during the Portland, Oregon protests against immigration raids. The scene was colorful with American flags held in various orientations, alongside flags from other countries.
Chad Bowman, representing the Stockbridge-Munsee Community, wore a ceremonial ribbon shirt. Expressing his patriotic sentiments, Bowman remarked, “I’m Native, and I believe in this country. I believe in democracy, and Trump and his cronies are ruining it.”
Mary, a protester who declined to give her last name, donned an inflatable unicorn costume, emphasizing the absurdity of being labeled as “criminals or terrorists.” She shared concerns about her family members who are federal employees affected by the shutdown, stating, “They can’t stand not being able to do what they are… passionate about doing for the American people.”
The demonstrations were not limited to Milwaukee. In Madison, 15,000 individuals marched from McPike Park to the state Capitol, accompanied by a marching band. Joe Myatt from Janesville brought a sign quoting Thomas Jefferson, voicing his worries about a “shift towards authoritarianism” both in the U.S. and globally. Myatt argued, “Basically, Trump’s trying to consolidate as much force into the office of the presidency and he’s violating the Constitution by doing it.”
Parto Shahidi, an Iranian immigrant and U.S. citizen, echoed sentiments of preserving democratic freedoms, which she cites as her reason for emigrating 30 years ago. “I became a U.S. citizen just for that,” she declared. “And if I want to lose it, I will go back home — there is no freedom there.”
In Madison, the use of costumes as a form of protest continued, with Leo Thull from McFarland wearing a hot dog suit. “Seeing America slowly descend into fascism is terrifying,” Thull remarked, adding humorously, “But with fascists like these, I feel like the greatest power we have is to be more ridiculous than they are.”
Donna Miazga from Waunakee carried a sign criticizing the blame placed on immigrants, emphasizing concern over “Gestapo”-like ICE raids. “I feel like it’s just about splitting us in two and fostering hate toward people who are even the slightest bit different,” she commented on the Trump administration’s immigration policies.
The protests were widespread, with events in cities like Appleton, where hundreds gathered, and the Wausau area, where 1,100 participants lined Rib Mountain Drive. Rice Lake, a smaller community, saw over 700 attendees, including some dressed in whimsical costumes. Organizer Mark Sherman highlighted the peaceful nature of their rally, citing a shared commitment to the U.S. Constitution.
While organizers, including labor unions and advocacy groups, emphasize a nonviolent movement to empower the public, Republican figures like House Speaker Mike Johnson have dismissed these events as “hate America rallies,” with U.S. Rep. Derrick Van Orden referring to the demonstrations on social media as “Election Denier Fest 2025.”
