Central Ohioans gather for 'No Kings' protests

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- A huge crowd gathered at the Ohio Statehouse on Saturday for another "No Kings" protest.

Demonstrators voiced their concerns over the Trump administration's policies, attending with chants and signs adorned with phrases like "Hate won't make America great" and "No one is above the law."

The protest was hosted by Common Cause Ohio, Indivisible Central Ohio and 50501. The demonstration included several speakers, like a member of Ohio State's chapter of the Ohio Student Association, a pastor and a board member of the ACLU of Ohio.

"I never want to be the one to say the sky is falling but all the things that we were afraid might happen have actually started to happen," said Mia Lewis, with Common Cause Ohio and Indivisible Central Ohio.

The speakers said they're calling out recent federal actions, like the government shutdown, the "ICE crackdown," and cuts to healthcare and education services.

"I think we all need to be united to get some action done," said protestor Vickey Ater.

In addition to a "No Kings" protest at the Ohio Statehouse, there were also demonstrations in communities around the state. A protest in Hilliard late Saturday morning included more than 1,500, organizers said. Attendees chanted and marched, voicing their displeasure with President Trump and his administration.

"It's so nice to have this support that you don't feel you're alone," protestor Penny Van Kirk said. "When you watch so much of TV and hear the administration, they make you feel like you don't belong, they make you feel, like this isn't your country, and to know all these people are our here, I feel like it's my country."

Many members of the Republican Party branded the protests as "Hate America rallies." This was the second round of "No Kings" protests. The first was in June.