COEUR D’ALENE — Protesters took to the streets Saturday afternoon to have their voices heard during the "No Kings" protest that was carried out nationwide.

Scott Miller was just one of many to stand at the corner of Appleway Avenue and U.S. 95 to join the demonstration aim at sharing their disapproval of President Donald Trump.

“I think what we are looking for is the same as everybody else, to use the words ‘Make America Great Again,' we are all for it,” he said, “I think the bottom line is we all say the words, but the approach has been different.” 

The brightly colored demonstration was clad in handmade signs, costumes and flags. Some of the signs read, "If you're not angry, you're not paying attention," "Democracy needs your courage," and "Elect a clown, expect a circus." Many signs contained profanities directed at the president.

Demonstrators stretched just over a quarter mile along U.S. 95, nearly reaching Neider Avenue. The crowd was met with cheers and displeasure as passersby honked in support or rejection of the movement.  

“We just want to make sure everybody knows that you are not alone in the things that we are worried about,” said protester Taylor Perry, “If we find a way we can all come together and voice our opinion, all the better.”

The protest drew about 1,700 people, according to the event organizer, the CDA/North Idaho chapter of Indivisible.

There was a small police presence, but the protest remained largely peaceful. Participants ranged from longtime activists to first-time demonstrators, and many were motivated by concerns like immigration, voting rights, public lands, human rights and most of all, a change in leadership in the White House.

The Idaho legislative primaries were fresh on people's minds, as they made calls for new, younger leadership in Idaho, but especially Kootenai County. District 4A Democrat candidate Maxwell McSwain attended the protest and echoed these ideas.

“I think we need to make a show of solidarity. Especially with how we are going right now. There is just a lack of listening from elected officials,” said McSwain, “I just wanted to make sure and come down and try to make them hear us… to make them actually listen to voters.”

When asked why he decided to run for the district seat, McSwain said, “I want to see more elected representation that looks like us, that is younger, that is willing to hold town halls, that is willing to speak to reporters and the press. We need a return to actually elected officials that do their job as elected officials.”

The event was met with little counter-protest resistance, with the majority of it coming from a small group of vehicles flying flags and continually circling the protest. 

One man, who identified himself as "Brother Glenn," a public preacher, stood alone at the northwest corner of U.S. 95 and Appleway, holding a pole with several flags attached. The top one read, "Jesus Christ is king of kings."

"If you don't stand for certain things that are righteous in society, then evil will take over," he said. 

According to Indivisible, the Coeur d’Alene protest was one of about 20 in Idaho of around 3,300 nationwide. 

“There is power in numbers,” said protester Stacy Perry. "We get stronger as we know there are more of us and that we are like-minded.” 

    A protester at the "No Kings" protest wears a peace shirt on Saturday.
  

    JJ Love waves a flag at the "No King" protest in Coeur d'Alene on Saturday.
  

    Stacy Perry, left, and Barb Midgley join the "No Kings" rally in Coeur d'Alene.
  

    Protesters stand along U.S. 95 in Coeur d'Alene for "No Kings" on Saturday.
  

    Dodger carries a sign at the "No Kings" protest in Coeur d'Alene.
  

    Jayne Little takes part in the "No Kings" protest in Coeur d'Alene.
  

    George Sayler, wearing hat and sunglasses, holds a sign at the "No Kings" protest in Coeur d'Alene.
  

    "No Kings" protesters carry signs and flags in Coeur d'Alene on Saturday.