ROCHESTER, N.Y. — More than 2,000 marches were held across the nation on Saturday, bringing out people in the millions. 

That includes several dozen events held in New York state.

Several dozen were held right here in new york. What You Need To Know

  • ‘No Kings’ rallies across the nation took place Saturday against recent actions by the Trump administration, including immigration crackdowns, government budget reductions and more

  • The demonstrations took place on the same day as Trump celebrates his 79th birthday and attends the Army's 250th anniversary military parade in Washington D.C.  

  • Organizers and advocates said that ‘No Kings’ represents a nationwide act of defiance

The protests, called "No Kings Day,” are billed as a day of action and mobilization.

Coinciding with President Donald Trump's 79th birthday and the Army's 250th anniversary military parade in Washington, D.C., Saturday's demonstrations follow a surge of protests nationwide against federal immigration enforcement raids, which commenced last week and prompted Trump's directive to deploy National Guard troops and Marines to Los Angeles. 

“We need to stand up,” Air Force veteran Onolae Murphy said. “What's happening now should never happen in America. We are a nation of immigrants and people of all races, creeds, colors and such. I mean, we are a melting pot that will make what makes America great. And as a veteran, a proud veteran, I love the United States. But my heart breaks for what's happening now.”

Since the commencement of his second term, resistance to Trump has appeared to increase — with demonstrations held against his administration's immigration enforcement, government budget reductions and more.

“He cannot be our president, he can’t be,” protestor Mary Ann Case said. “We have to stop the cancer. We have to stop the spread of his hatred and his otherness. We are all human beings. We are all living on the same planet. We are all brothers and sisters and we need to realize there's no planet B. This is it for us. So until we learn how to get along and until we learn that hatred is never, ever the answer, which is Trump's whole mantra, nothing is going to change. And we need to exercise it as much as we can. So I'm hoping that protests like this across America will bring hope.”

Protestors at the rally shined a light on their main reasons for attending Saturday's demonstrations.

“I used to work for the federal government,” Kim Sherwood said. “I was a forest hydrologist. And, to see so many talented employees lose their job all at once without a way to replace that. Institutional memory is going to be a very strong collapse for a lot of those agencies and resources that they take care of throughout the government.”

Gov. Kathy Hochul was in Buffalo for a Juneteenth event Saturday, and shared her perspective about the rallies taking place across New York. 

“There are still institutional barriers to that freedom, and that's why we stand up against oppressive governments in Washington and all across our country,” Hochul said. “People are having ‘No Kings’ parades and events and celebrations.”

Advocates said they hoped their actions could be a catalyst for significant social and political change.

“There are a lot of people who can't be out today for fear of their lives, for fear of their families and, honestly, it's my time to stand up and speak for them and myself,” Sherwood said.