Laurel Area Turns Out for “No Kings” Rallies
- Angela Latham Kozlowski and Diane Mezzanotte
- Jul 10
- 2 min read
Hundreds of Laurel area residents participated in the June 14 nationwide “No Kings Day.” The event consisted of rallies and demonstrations in over 2,100 cities in the U.S. and abroad, at which participants affirmed support for constitutional rights and opposition to autocratic or authoritarian policies. According to multiple news sources, an estimated five million people participated in the rallies, organized by a grassroots group called the 50501 Movement. This was its third such event and by far the largest. All events were run by local organizers who obtained permits and provided safety marshals. Attendees were expected to rally peacefully, and no incidents were reported at Maryland locations.
Laurel residents had the choice of several locations in all four surrounding counties. The two closest events occurred in the City of Laurel and near the Columbia Mall. At both locations, people of all ages showed up holding signs, with many wearing red-white-and-blue outfits or waving American flags of all sizes to honor the concurrent observance of Flag Day.
In Laurel, over 200 people lined Talbott Avenue between Seventh and Eighth Streets, two to three deep at places, from 10 am to noon. Many vehicles passing by honked in support, and the few who offered alternate opinions were smiled and waved at nonetheless. One counter-protestor appeared briefly, but no altercations occurred. A longtime Laurel resident named Margaret said it was her first-ever rally. She was inspired to come out—despite having recently undergone surgery—to “share some optimism” with like-minded individuals. Others were protest veterans, sharing memories of past anti-war rallies. Three strangers bonded after realizing they all had taken part in “Hands Across America” in the early 1980s, which sought to combat hunger and homelessness.
In nearby Columbia, an estimated crowd of almost 5,000 spread along all four corners of the intersection of Little Patuxent Parkway and Snowden River Parkway, extending down side streets and onto grassy areas. The sidewalks began to fill half an hour before the event’s 10 am start. Participants included individuals, couples, families with infants to graduate-school-aged children, and groups from every generation. While a lot of people held signs, the number of U.S. flags being waved almost outnumbered the signs.
Ellicott City resident Janet, a veteran rally-goer, carried a handmade sign reading, “Liberty and Justice FOR ALL.” She called the event “an overwhelmingly positive experience.” Cathy, an 83-year-old Columbia resident, was attending her very first rally holding a handmade sign that said “WE THE PEOPLE” with a peace sign in the middle. Another attendee was a Gold Star mother, meaning she had lost a child while on active duty in the United States military. She said, “This is exactly what we have to do for our country at this time in our history.”
Diane Mezzanotte and Angie Latham Kozlowski are staff writers and members of the Board of Directors for The Laurel History Boys. In addition to covering Laurel city municipal news, Diane also reports on all things from South Laurel. In addition to her investigative reporting, Angie’s articles frequently spotlight Howard County.
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