No Kings protests in Roanoke and Blacksburg draw thousands

Thousands of people participated in "No Kings" protests across Southwest Virginia, specifically in Roanoke and Blacksburg, on Saturday. Organizers, like Rachel Gray from Roanoke Indivisible, estimated 3,500 attendees in Roanoke and approximately 2,000 at Henderson Lawn in Blacksburg, emphasizing the broad participation welcomed by the movement. While many demonstrators voiced national political concerns, including Republican-leaning veteran James Mitchem's dissatisfaction with President Trump's campaign tactics, local issues were also highlighted. Misty Dawn, for instance, specifically protested a proposed data center in Botetourt County, raising alarms about its potential strain on future water resources for the community. Protesters, including New River Community College student Kameron Riley and Virginia Tech Indivisible leader Daniel Moir, expressed the significance of community turnout, noting the diverse age demographics. Despite enthusiastic responses from passersby, participants like David Horn acknowledged the uncertain impact of the protests.