For friends Audra Kebreau and Dan Bean, they decided to attend the No Kings rally in Swampscott on Saturday for the first time.

“As a Marine Corps veteran, I can’t stand what this man is doing to our military, sending them halfway around the world to die for what,” Bean said. “I was willing to die when I was in the Marine Corps and not ask any questions, but it’s time we started asking questions.”

President Donald Trump initiated a massive joint U.S.-Israeli military operation on February 28 to launch airstrikes across Iran, resulting in the reported killing of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. 

“He doesn’t care about anything but himself,” Bean said. “He changes every story and distracts from one mistake to another mistake.”

The two look at the Trump administration and how it impacts their families. Kebreau said she decided to come out to the protest now because of her children.

“People used to agree to disagree. The politics could be heated but nothing like this atmosphere,” Kebreau said. “I wanted to be here for my children and future grandchildren.”

Bean said the administration’s politics has “divided my family.”

“It’s time to stand up,” Bean said. “We can’t take it anymore. I don’t want to wish ill on anybody but he’s got to get out of office or he’s going to ruin our country. He already has to a great extent.”

Kebreau and Bean were a part of about 350 people who gathered along Humphrey Street from Mission on the Bay down to Phillips Street to protest against Trump, his administration and recent actions like Immigration and Customs Enforcement detentions and the war in Iran.

Trump began his second presidency by imposing a federal hiring freeze and ordering reviews of many career civil service positions, actions that led to mass job terminations. He also imposed tariffs on nearly every country, reaching levels not seen since the Great Depression. His One Big Beautiful Bill Act was signed into law July 4, 2025, permanently extending individual tax rates Trump signed into law in 2017 as well as phasing out some clean energy tax credits, raising the debt ceiling by $5 trillion, cutting funding for Medicaid and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), and eliminating personal exemption for tax credits for seniors.

More recently, Trump has ramped up ICE enforcement, leading to a record number of detentions and deportations. In January, two fatal shootings in Minneapolis claimed the lives of 37-year-old Renee Nicole Good and 37-year-old Alex Pretti. 

The strike on Iran targeted military sites and senior officials, causing significant casualties and destruction. Fighting, however, has spread across the Middle East and the U.S. has deployed new technology into the conflict. As a result, aid shipments are being blocked and oil prices have surged over 50%, with fears it can go even higher. 

Since the election, Swampscott residents and neighboring community members have taken part in weekly protests, as well as larger initiatives such as the No Kings rallies, with Saturday’s event being the third iteration of the rally.

“It’s making a substantial impact,” said Michael Paquette, who organized Saturday’s event. “In New York, they took down the Pride flags on Stonewall. There was a big protest to put the Pride flags back up. Those are back up. The Democrats are winning a lot of seats. These protests definitely do work, and the boycotts. It’s all very effective. We just have to keep at it. It’s not going to end today, so we still have more work to do.”

The protest started with a song circle. One piece, “We the People,” was written by local poet Jeannette Lindholm and composed by Ana Hernãndez.

“It’s very exciting, and I’m feeling a lot of thankfulness that the song contributes to the protests,” Lindholm said. “It’s a very hopeful loving song. It’s very moving and powerful for me to be here with everyone.”

In addition to Kebreau and Bean, there were a good number of others on Saturday who joined the No Kings rally for the first time. Barbie Smith brought her friend Elena Coughlin, who protested for the first time.

“I just believe in peace,” Coughlin said.

Smith, who wore a frog costume, said she came “for democracy.”

“We love our country and this is why we’re out here in this cold, because this is not normal,” Smith said.

Another protester, Lesley Vanzee said she is “sick about this.”

“It’s dictatorship. He’s tearing down democracy,” Vanzee said, noting her concern for her friends’ children as well as her own son to be drafted into the war in Iran.

Dale McComas Orzalli said she has to show up for people like her parents, who were veterans of World War II. 

“They didn’t fight World War II for this,” Orzalli said.

Similarly, Ginger Fitts decided to attend for her aunt who came from Germany.

“I’m here for her,” Fitts said. “It’s absolutely disgusting. I’m so angry about this. We should make friends with people, not enemies.”

Several attendees at Saturday’s protest were deeply involved in political work, like Swampscott resident Rick Jakious, a longtime aide to Rep. Seth Moulton (D-MA) who is bidding for his former boss’ congressional seat. 

“I can’t imagine not being here. This will be an incredible day of action across the country. There are protests happening all across our congressional district, and I think it shows the enthusiasm that exists for taking our country back,” Jakious said. “I think we have the commitment. I think we have patriotism on our side, and I think it bodes well for our success this November.”

Nate Ryan returned to the protest in Swampscott for a second time as well. His sign read “end war before it ends us.”

“I’m against pretty much everything this administration is doing,” Ryan said. “The war is one we shouldn’t be involved in. Just because it’s a world away doesn’t mean it doesn’t implicate us.”

Betty McNeil, who attends the Thursday rallies at the Monument in Swampscott weekly, was positioned by the monument with her own sign.

“I never thought I’d see this, ever,” said McNeil. “This is our country. This is our freedom. If we lose it, it will take 100 years or more to get it back, if ever.”

There was one counter-protester, Stephen Gilbertsen, who sat by a tree on the Town Hall Lawn with an American flag and a few Trump posters.

“I’m here representing our president, and none of them are,” Gilbertsen said. “Our country is doing great. They don’t see it.” 

In Swampscott, 2,689 voters — about 29% of those who cast ballots — chose Trump and Vice President JD Vance in the November 5, 2024 election. That total is similar to the 2020 election, when 2,555 residents, or 26.4%, voted for Trump and then-Vice President Mike Pence.

The primary for the U.S. Senate – between Rep. Seth Moulton and incumbent Sen. Edward Markey  – as well as Moulton’s 6th Congressional District seat will be held on September 1. There are seven Democrats  – Bethany Andres-Beck, John Beccia, Jamie Belsito, Rick Jakious, Dan Koh, Mariah Lancaster and Tram Nguyen – running along with Republican Micah Jones. 

Residents will also vote on the governor, Lt. governor, attorney general, secretary of state, treasurer, auditor, governor’s councilor, district attorney and state senator.