More than 1,000 area residents attended “No Kings” protests in Pocatello and Idaho Falls on Saturday, expressing concerns over presidential overreach, the war with Iran, the Epstein files and voting rights.

The protests began around 11 a.m. and were part of nationwide demonstrations in about 3,000 U.S. cities against the Trump administration’s policies.

At the height of the local protests, approximately 1,200 demonstrators filled the sidewalks and street corners near the Bannock County Courthouse in Pocatello, with around 1,100 in attendance at the Broadway Bridge in Idaho Falls.

A photo gallery of the Pocatello event is accessible here and photos of the Idaho Falls demonstration can be found here.

Attendees raised concerns about the current state of political affairs in the United States, displaying a variety of signs addressing immigration, conflicts in the Middle East and federal overreach.

In Pocatello, the program included remarks from attorney and former judicial candidate Steven Thompson, who spoke about what he described as a growing tide of fascism in the United States. Other organizers also delivered speeches to the crowd assembled at Caldwell Park, where protesters displayed signs and engaged in chants and conversations.

The Idaho Falls event featured an opening hour of music by local punk bands, followed by speeches from Idaho House District 33A challenger Chance Marshall and Veterans Against Fascism member Joseph Funk.

Pocatello City Council member Ann Swanson attended the Pocatello rally alongside her daughter.

“It’s been a very vocal crowd,” Swanson said. “I’ve been to a couple of these and I haven’t heard quite so much noise before. Everybody seems in good spirits, which is also great. Lots of people honking as they drive by. We’ve had excellent help from our local police, who’ve gone after a few people who coal-rolled us. I really appreciate the spirit and tenor of the whole gathering today.”

One of Swanson’s chief concerns was voting rights, which she believes are significantly threatened by recent federal legislation.

“That’s one of the reasons I’m here — to really underscore my own care and love for democracy and for free, fair elections and for access to the polls for everybody,” Swanson said. “I’ve seen signs from people who are upset with the invasion of Iran, folks who are still upset about the Epstein files and the fact that we haven’t really seen anything released. People in general are upset with Trump’s leadership as president.”

The crowd in Pocatello spanned a wide range of ages. Swanson said she believes the war with Iran has mobilized many attendees, along with a shared desire for community and connection.

“That’s the main reason anybody comes out to a protest — to be in community with each other,” Swanson said. “It can feel very lonely when you’re in front of your screen, which is where we get so much of our news, and to come together like this really helps. I think the entire Pocatello community feels united, feels positive and, most importantly, feels they’re not alone.”

Swanson was not the only political figure present. Idaho House District 29B challenger Nate Roberts also attended, carrying a large American flag and his own protest sign.

“I’m out here in support of democracy, of the people’s government — that’s really the whole purpose for me,” Roberts said. “I don’t believe that we need to be in wars. I don’t believe we need to be cutting services for the lower 20 percent of Idahoans who need them, just to give tax cuts to the wealthy and to corporations. FDR said that the progress of our society is based not on giving more to those who have plenty, but on making sure that those who don’t have enough have some.”

“This is what democracy looks like,” Roberts continued. “That’s what we’ve been chanting, because the people don’t like what’s happening in our government, and it’s supposed to be by and for the people. This is their opportunity to come together and make the point that they’re not happy with what’s going on. They built us a republic and now we’ve got to keep it.”

Demonstrators in Idaho Falls shared similar sentiments. Organizer Miranda Armenta spoke about the importance of the rallies as a catalyst for continued activism and said it is essential to show public dissent — refuting claims that every American “voted for this.”

“It’s basically the first step — going to these rallies and getting people who are not normally involved, involved,” Armenta said. “Sending them through that checklist: ‘I’ve attended a rally, I’ve become part of an organization, and now I am organizing with my community.’ It’s a three-step process. We want something for the people, by the people. We don’t want a con man running our country.”

With a wide mix of generations in attendance — including a group of high school-aged girls at the Pocatello rally who led the crowd in a chanted refrain — Swanson said she remains hopeful about the future.

“That’s why I came out,” Swanson said. “I want where I live to be a place where people feel they can thrive and speak freely. That’s fundamental to democracy and I’ll always show up for that. I see people here I’ve never seen before, and that makes me really hopeful. That’s what makes me feel the most uplifted about this event — just the variety of people I’ve never seen before.”