LA GRANDE — A light rain was falling at noon on Monday, Feb. 17, as a crowd gathered outside La Grande City Hall.

Despite the constant drizzle and ankle deep slush, people of all ages waved signs and joined in with chants. It was Presidents Day, but the crowd wasn’t gathered in celebration of past presidents. Rather, people were taking to the streets to protest President Donald Trump, his administration and his policies.

“No king! No crown! We the people won’t bow down,” chanted the crowd.

Protests organized by the 50501 Movement took place across the nation echoing similar sentiments, according to reporting by the Associated Press. The organization orchestrated the “No Kings” theme, which was prevalent at many of the rallies.

Cheryl Campbell and Cheryl Simpson organized the La Grande protest. Campbell, who also helped organize the La Grande People’s March in January, said the Feb. 17 protest was only loosely organized and “kind of just fell together.”

Campbell said news of the protest was mostly spread by word of mouth.

Many in attendance rallied against Trump and Elon Musk, the leader of the president’s new Department of Government Efficiency. Anyone was free to pick up the megaphone and address the crowd of nearly 100 people.

Some spoke in opposition to recent layoffs at federal agencies, others spoke in favor of protecting the rights of transgender individuals, immigrants, disabled people and people of color.

While not everyone wanted to speak publicly, people also made their voices heard through hand made signs. The crowd also garnered honks of support from some drivers as they passed by on Adams Avenue.

Campbell said the aim of the day was to build a sense of community and hope among the people who attended.

“This was really good,” she said.