Why It Matters
Across New Hampshire, residents took to the streets Saturday to voice opposition to the Trump administration’s policies, joining a nationwide wave of demonstrations organized under the banner of the “No Kings” movement. The rallies reflect growing grassroots political mobilization in the state, with participants citing concerns ranging from immigration enforcement and healthcare costs to the ongoing U.S. war in Iran and threats to democratic institutions.
New Hampshire, a state with a strong tradition of civic engagement and political independence, saw turnout from residents spanning generations — including first-time protesters and longtime activists — signaling that opposition to the current administration is reaching beyond traditional activist circles.
What Happened
On Saturday, March 28, 2026, “No Kings” rallies were held in multiple New Hampshire communities, stretching from the North Country to the Seacoast. Demonstrations were documented in Lincoln, Nashua, and other towns throughout the state, drawing crowds of protesters carrying hand-painted signs and chanting against a range of administration policies.
The events were part of a coordinated national effort, with organizers reporting that more than 3,000 rallies were planned across the United States on the same day. The protests mark one year and two months into President Donald Trump’s second term in office.
In Lincoln, the demonstration took the form of a honk-and-wave protest in the town’s downtown area, with the foothills of the White Mountains providing a backdrop. Organizer John Lenhoff described the goal of the event as reaching persuadable Americans who are dissatisfied with the federal government but unsure how to respond. “It’s the people in the middle that are like, ‘I can’t stand this government, I don’t know what to do,'” Lenhoff said. “We want to encourage them to come on board. If they don’t want to stand on the street with a sign, they can call their representative. They can write postcards.”
In Nashua, demonstrators gathered near the Soldiers and Sailors monument, where resident John Cote was photographed standing on a bench and holding an upside-down American flag, a symbol historically used to signal distress.
Protesters cited multiple grievances, including the Trump administration’s immigration enforcement tactics carried out by Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents, high healthcare costs, the president’s reported ties to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, the U.S. war in Iran, and environmental policy concerns.
By the Numbers
- 3,000+ — Number of “No Kings” events planned nationwide on March 28, 2026, according to movement organizers.
- 14 months — The length of time President Trump has been in his second term at the time of the protests, having begun in January 2025.
- 74 years old — The age of Janet Adams, a Woodstock resident and former middle school science teacher who said Saturday’s rally was her first-ever protest.
- 10 — The number of grandchildren Adams said she was motivated to protect by participating in the demonstration.
- Multiple towns — Rallies were confirmed across several New Hampshire communities spanning the state’s geographic regions, from the North Country to the Seacoast.
Zoom Out
The “No Kings” movement represents one of the more broadly organized protest efforts to emerge during Trump’s second term, drawing participation from residents who do not identify as career activists. Similar demonstrations were held simultaneously in other states, reflecting a pattern of decentralized, locally organized political action that has grown in scope throughout 2025 and into 2026.
The war in Iran, which emerged as a central grievance among New Hampshire protesters, has become a flashpoint in national political debate, with opposition to the conflict extending into communities that do not have a historically strong anti-war activist presence. Healthcare affordability and immigration enforcement tactics by ICE have similarly driven protest activity in multiple states in recent months.
New Hampshire’s role as a bellwether state in presidential politics makes visible grassroots discontent there particularly noteworthy heading into future election cycles.
What’s Next
Organizers of the “No Kings” movement have encouraged participants who are unwilling or unable to attend public demonstrations to contact their elected representatives directly and engage in other forms of civic action such as postcard campaigns. It remains to be seen whether Saturday’s turnout will translate into sustained political organizing in New Hampshire ahead of upcoming state and federal elections.
No formal legislative or governmental response to the protests had been announced in New Hampshire as of Saturday evening. Continued demonstrations are expected in coming months if administration policies remain a point of public contention.