More than 1,300 people gathered in downtown Conroe on Saturday, June 14, to join the national “No Kings” protest, coinciding with Flag Day, President Donald Trump’s birthday, and the U.S. Army’s 250th anniversary. Unlike demonstrations in larger cities, Conroe’s event remained peaceful, with no arrests or reported incidents.
A protest with over 1,300 people took place in downtown Conroe on Flag Day, the U.S. Army's 250th birthday, and President Trump's 79th birthday. Under the name nokings.org, which translates to "No Kings," the protest was part of a larger national movement against immigration policies and the President.
Protesters, primarily from Montgomery County, lined both sides of SH 105 between North San Jacinto and Main Streets, using songs and homemade signs to express their anger. A few Hispanic groups came to support family members who are not in the country legally. Most of the people there were white and liberal.
Cristal Espinoza, 19, from Huntsville, said, "We are here because we are scared for our family and friends." "It seems like every day is unknown."
Even though it was hot and there was angry speech, including chants like "8647," which many people saw as encouraging violence, the protest stayed calm.
As an extra safety measure, Conroe Police kept a low profile to help with traffic and keep people safe. The Montgomery County Sheriff's Office and Fire Department also collaborated to ensure everyone's safety by setting up obstacles.
The event was not well-organized—there were numerous different signs, and no signs of troublemakers or planned protests were evident. There was a man dressed as Jesus Christ who wanted to spread a message of peace, and alongside him were Trump fans who behaved peacefully, despite other people in the crowd speaking out against them.
Amy, from the Montgomery County Elections Commission, was one of the protesters who chanted in support of democracy. She said, "I love America, but I am afraid for our future."
The Conroe Police Department reported that there were no injuries, arrests, or significant disturbances. There was only traffic. The CPD praised its officers for their hard work and the people for remaining calm.
"While other cities saw chaos, Conroe showed that people can talk to each other politely, even when they do not agree," said Sgt. David Dickinson is a public information officer for the CPD.
There were no problems at the end of the protest, which was a rare sight in a time of high national stress.
