Why It Matters
Maryland was among the most active states in a wave of nationwide political demonstrations on March 28, 2026, as residents gathered in cities and towns to protest federal immigration enforcement actions and what organizers describe as executive overreach. The rallies, part of the ongoing national “No Kings” movement, drew particular attention to Washington County, where federal authorities have proposed converting a large warehouse into an immigration detention facility.
The protests reflect growing public engagement with immigration policy at the local level, as proposed detention infrastructure in communities like Williamsport brings national debates directly to state residents.
What Happened
Thousands of Maryland residents turned out Saturday for the third round of “No Kings” rallies, with demonstrations held across dozens of locations throughout the state. Attendees included elected officials, veterans, musicians, activists, and first-time protesters, all gathering under clear but cold skies to voice opposition to Trump administration policies, with a heavy focus on recent immigration enforcement operations.
The largest and most prominent rally in Maryland took place in Hagerstown, at the city’s Public Square. The Washington County chapter of Indivisible organized the event, which drew attendees from across the state. Organizers described it as the largest No Kings rally Washington County has seen to date.
Among those in attendance was Andrew Thomas, a 79-year-old veteran who had already attended two other rallies earlier that same day — one in Charlestown, Maryland, and one in Shepherdstown, West Virginia — before arriving in Hagerstown, making it his third protest appearance of the day alone, and his third No Kings rally overall since the movement began.
Demonstrators carried hand-drawn signs and wore costumes. Chants focused heavily on immigration policy and broader concerns about the balance of power between the executive branch and other branches of government — themes central to the No Kings movement since its launch.
By the Numbers
- Dozens of individual rally locations were active across Maryland on Saturday, March 28, 2026.
- 1,500 beds is the proposed capacity of the Immigration and Customs Enforcement detention facility planned for a converted warehouse in Williamsport, Maryland.
- 825,000 square feet is the size of the Williamsport warehouse ICE has identified for conversion into a detention center.
- 3 rallies attended by at least one Hagerstown participant in a single day, illustrating the intensity of engagement among some demonstrators.
- Millions of demonstrators were expected to participate in No Kings events nationally on the same date, according to rally organizers.
Zoom Out
The No Kings movement began in the summer of 2025 and has grown through successive rounds of coordinated rallies, with each iteration drawing larger or more geographically distributed crowds. Saturday’s events marked the third major national mobilization under the banner, following rallies last summer and fall.
Maryland is not alone in seeing protests tied to local immigration infrastructure. Across the country, communities where ICE detention facilities have been proposed or expanded have become focal points for organized opposition, with local advocacy groups coordinating with national networks to boost turnout and visibility.
The Hagerstown rally’s proximity to the proposed Williamsport detention facility gave it a specific local urgency that organizers say drove higher-than-usual attendance. Washington County’s Indivisible chapter confirmed the March 28 event surpassed previous No Kings gatherings in the region in terms of crowd size.
Nationally, similar dynamics are playing out in states including Texas, Arizona, and Illinois, where proposed or existing detention facilities have become organizing anchors for immigration-focused protests.
What’s Next
The proposed ICE detention center in Williamsport remains in a planning phase, with no confirmed timeline for conversion or operation. Federal approval processes, potential legal challenges from local officials, and continued public pressure campaigns are all expected to shape whether and when the facility moves forward.
Organizers with Maryland’s Indivisible chapters have not announced dates for a fourth round of No Kings rallies, but the movement’s national coordinators have indicated that future mobilizations are planned as federal immigration and executive policy debates continue. Maryland advocates say local organizing efforts will continue regardless of whether another national rally date is set.