Wellesley residents turnout out in big numbers as part of the 3rd major round of country-wide “No Kings” rallies since June 2025. The events started up shortly after Donald Trump was inaugurated into his second term as president in Jan. 2025.

Protesters were there to stand up against what they said were the authoritarian policies of the Trump administration, the need to protect democracy, and to speak against Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

ICE raids were on the minds—and placards—of many. “It’s the violence and the lawlessness against people that I object to,” said a member of the crowd who did not want to be named.

Wellesley police were on hand and would occasionally ask people to keep the sidewalks clear.

Against the backdrop of Wellesley’s historic Town Hall, an estimated 600-700 people, some costumed, put in a showing and enjoyed the support of drivers who honked horns as they passed through the busy Washington Street strip. No counterprotests were in evidence at the event.

The peaceful protest was supported by  groups including the League of Women Voters of Wellesley; Neighbors United Indivisible; Immigration Justice Group at Temple Beth Elohim; UU Wellesley Hills; World of Wellesley; Wellesley College Young Democratic Socialists; and Wellesley College Democrats.

Many “No Kings” rallies were held in the area, including in Natick, Newton, Needham, and Boston.

News reports say that this was the biggest outcry yet, with over 3,000 organized events from small towns to big cities that drew an estimated 8-9 million people.

White House officials and Trump supporters have been widely quoted as disparaging the protests and saying that they are of no concern to the administration or those who agree with the president’s policies.

 

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More: On Sunday, local college students rallied in front of Wellesley Town Hall to demand the return of Babson College freshman Any Lucia Lopez Belloza, who was mistakenly deported while trying to visit her parents over Thanksgiving. (Boston Globe)

Some 200 people turned out on Friday, Jan. 23 in front of Wellesley Town Hall to protest the actions of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers, a day before another Minnesota resident was killed during an encounter with ICE personnel.

An ICE Out for Good rally was held at the same spot just a few days earlier.

The Wellesley News, the Wellesley College student-run newspaper and site, covered the latest protest.

Thanks to Iris Zhan (@wellesleystudent) for sharing photos.
 

More than a hundred people gathered in front of Wellesley Town Hall and across the street on Tuesday afternoon in front of the library as part of the nationwide “Free America” walkout on the one-year anniversary of the current federal administration taking office.

People held signs, spoke out, and waved to passersby in the latest rally along that stretch of Washington Street.

By Cimarron Buser

On a beautiful fall Saturday, more than 500 people stood in front of Wellesley Town Hall for a second “No Kings” rally. The demonstrations focus on what participants describe as authoritarian policies of Donald Trump and corruption within his administration.

The Wellesley event was organized by community members, the League of Women Voters, and other local groups. The noon gathering included chanting, singing, and residents sharing their thoughts with the crowd.

One of the key organizers, Ann-Mara Lanza, said, “I’m just one of those people who, when I see a problem, want to get out there and do something about it. It started with being outside of Town Meeting, and that moved into organizing rallies on an ongoing basis in Wellesley. What we’ve done is try to have a presence in Wellesley whenever there’s a national call—we want Wellesley to be part of it as well.”

Jessica Fixler, a 28-year resident of Wellesley, said, “I am disgusted, horrified, and terribly scared by what’s going on in this country and what Trump is doing—and all of his minions. I can’t sleep thinking about it. I’m here to show my support, and I feel like it’s the least I can do.”

While most participants were Wellesley residents, one family traveled from western Massachusetts to take part. “The truth is we came here because we were passing through from eastern Mass to western Mass, and it’s near the Pike. We didn’t want to miss this important event today, and I think we all should participate in protecting our democracy.”

Ed Sevilla, a longtime resident of Wellesley, shared that this was the second No Kings Day he had attended. “Each time the crowd gets bigger because each time our country is in greater peril. I’m pro-democracy, and I’m very concerned about the direction the country’s going—very specifically, the ICE raids and the violence against all kinds of people.”

Beth Shedd, who has lived in Wellesley since 1989, said, “I’m here today with a sense of hope that we have like-minded, kind people who want to show up and make a difference. It pleases me to see the number of people who have stood up and are public with their feelings about our country.”

More than 2,700 demonstrations took place across the U.S. on Oct. 18 in protest of the Trump administration. The previous No Kings rally in June was one of the largest single days of protest in U.S. history, and according to news reports, Saturday’s turnout appeared to closely match that record. In Wellesley, crowd photographs show an increase in participants compared with the June protest.