Pride and protest: Two causes draw thousands to downtown Canton

This story has been updated with additional information.

CANTON − On Saturday afternoon, two causes converged on downtown as thousands of people turned out for the Stark Pride Festival on Centennial Plaza and a No Kings protest along Market Avenue N in opposition to President Donald Trump.

A similar rally June 14 in Alliance attracted about 200 people who also were protesting in favor of LGBTQ rights and taking part in an anti-Trump effort.

In a nod to the American Revolution, No Kings refers to the upstart colonists' rejection of England's King George III and the concept of being ruled by a monarch.

Stark County was one of more than 1,800 communities taking part in No Kings protests across the U.S. It coincided — but wasn't affiliated — with Stark Pride, now in its fourth year.

Trump's critics claim he has repeatedly ignored the rule of law and the U.S. Constitution, and enacts policies which favor the wealthy at the expense of ordinary Americans. Among Saturday's protesters were retired public school teachers and friends Sue Jacoby and Marilyn Gibbs of Canton, and Marianna Lijoi, a Canton native now living in Wadsworth.

"We're here because we believe in a democratic republic, the rule of law, the Constitution and public education," Jacoby said. "My father lived in a fascist Italy. We are the generation whose parents fought against Nazism and fascism. We shouldn't have to be brave every second of our lives for speaking out."

Lijoi was more blunt.

"I just can't stand Trump," she said. "He wants to be a king. We haven't had one since 1776. He's a liar. He had 34 indictments. How can he be our president?"

Melissa Allred, left, of Uniontown, and Monique Conner, of Canton, hold signs and chant at the No Kings Day protest held in downtown Canton on Saturday, June 14, 2025.

Gibbs said presidents should set a good example for the rest of the country.

"Nobody is perfect," she said. "I've voted for presidents I didn't always agree with, but at least they cared about the country."

John and Linda Ross of Massillon participated in the "No Kings Day of Resistance" June 14 in downtown Canton, criticizing the Trump administration's policies.

First-time protesters

As they stood and held signs, John and Linda Ross of Massillon said it was the first time they had taken part in a protest.

"I'm totally unhappy with the administration," John Ross said. "From his tariff policy to a cabinet that is totally unqualified."

Mark and Cindy Roman of Jackson Township hold signs at the No Kings Day protest held in downtown Canton on Saturday, June 14, 2025.

What started out as a gathering of hundreds along both sides of Market Avenue during the No Kings protest, quickly swelled to thousands as a parade organized by Stark Pride made its way south from the Canton Museum of Art to Centennial Plaza. The majority of the protesters followed suit.

Friends Jenna Allison and Madison Evans of Canton said they were taking part in both events in support of human rights.

"For love and compassion," Evans said.

Both women said they also wanted to be part of history.

Jackson High School senior Corwin Walls Broad was one of the student speakers at the Stark Pride Festival held at Centennial Plaza in Canton. Saturday, June 14, 2025.

Pride Walk, part of Stark Pride Festival

The Pride Walk, led by the trumpeters of the Bluecoats, took about seven minutes to go by the Palace Theatre. Two Canton police cruisers were at the tail end and spectators cheered for the police officers.

Lola McFadden of Canton, who was ringing a large cowbell, said about the walk, "I thought it was exciting and fabulous. Just love the size of it. A beautiful day, we're going to make it a beautiful day despite the (expletive) that's happening. … Love is in the air in downtown Canton, Ohio."

She said she came to the event because she loves the people and "what's going on in our country is just making me sad, and today is making me very happy. I used to be proud to be an American. And now I can't say that. I'm sad."

Curtis Goehring of Canton waits in line for a cocktail with his husband at the Pride Day Festival held at Centennial Plaza in Canton Saturday, June 14, 2025.

Craig Covey, a founder of Stark Pride, said, "When people come to an event like this, they feel empowered. They realize they're not alone."

He said that people in the No Kings rally were not gay or lesbian but are allies.

"And that's important for us." Covey said. "And I think my community, it's important for us to realize we need to be allies with those who are struggling right now."

Barbara Moore of Jackson Township carried a sign that said "No Kings, Just Queens."

"I thought it was a great display (of) the unity that our country should have and not the division that our country is displaying under our current presidency," she said about the procession. "That's why I was here."

Moore criticized Trump for federalizing the California National Guard and deploying Guard troops and Marines to Los Angeles in response to protests of immigration raids.

"I see our rights being eroded. Every single day. I see a president who's using executive actions as if they were royal declarations," Moore said.

After the procession, a crowd gathered at Centennial Plaza.

Canton Mayor William V. Sherer II, a Democrat, speaking at a podium covered by a pride flag, lamented the threats faced by many communities while one party is in control in Columbus and Washington, D.C.

"The executive, legislative and judicial branches of our state and federal government no longer seem to care about the interests of all Americans," Sherer said. "As they demonize diversity, equity and inclusion of a vast number of Americans, they put targets on the American communities, including the LGBTQ+ community."

U.S. Rep. Emilia Sykes, D-Akron, speaks onstage at the Pride Day Festival held at Centennial Plaza in Canton on Saturday, June 14, 2025.

U.S. Rep. Emilia Sykes, D-Akron, said Stark Pride Festival is important for people threatened by government actions.

"Because our government is of, by and for the people," she said. "And the people have the power."

Jonathan Becker, president of the Stark Pride Festival Committee, said LGBTQ+ people have been told they are "an abomination" and the love they feel is sinful.

"We've all been told these things so many times that we often believe they are true," he said. "But they are not. They are not true for me, and they are not true for you."

The Sing Out Choir then sang a few songs including "Under Pressure."

Ky Zorzi, 5, sits along Market Avenue with his mother, Natalee Zorzi, at the No Kings Day protest in downtown Canton on Saturday, June 14, 2025.

Alliance rally crushes organizers' crowd estimates

Holly Oyster said she was shocked by the size of the crowd that attended the June 14 “No Kings” rally in Alliance.

The Smith Township woman said she is a regular participant Saturday afternoon protests along State Street that have been sparsely attended over the past few months.

When nationwide protests against President Donald J. Trump were planned, the Carnation City’s group got involved. Oyster said she was pleased when about 200 people arrived for Saturday’s rally that stretched along the street in front of Memorial Park.

“We had a goal of about 100 to 150 people, but that was exceeded by 12:30,” she said. Estimates put the total at the peak of the rally about 200 people holding signs, American flags and other items to get the attention of passing motorists.

Oyster said she occupants of some passing vehicles had booed the rally participants or gave them a thumbs down, and that some had reported people flipping them off as they passed, but the 55-year-old said they mostly had received honks and shouts of support as cars and trucks had passed.

Oyster said the crowd was about 80% the age of the Gen X generation, or about 45 to 60 years old. She estimated few people younger than 40 joined the crowd.

The group, she said, was eager to use its First Amendment rights “while we still have them.” The rally was intended as a combined Pride Day and “No Kings” event, since Alliance does not have its own event to support the LGBTQ community.

“We will be here every Saturday as a show of our defiance, as long as we are permitted,” the 55-year-old Oyster said. “We also want to show people that Ohio is not red.”