A crowd that organizers estimated at around 4,000 gathered in Corvallis on Saturday as part of No Kings III, a nationally coordinated series of protests that reportedly included more than 3,300 events across the country.
The Corvallis event, organized by Indivisible Benton County, featured a sidewalk parade, live music, chalk art, face painting and flag-making in Central Park. Participants lined Fourth Street waving signs and gathered near the Benton County Courthouse for a Dance for Democracy.
“People are everywhere. It’s unbelievable!” said John Swanson, who held a banner at Fifth and Madison to direct parade traffic. “Massive numbers of people are lining the streets.”
At 12:30 p.m., following a performance by the newly formed Corvallis Resistance Singers, participants marched from McNary Field down Madison Avenue toward Central Park, led by a marching band and an array of banners.
Event organizer Laureen Urey said the turnout reflected widespread public concern.
“We’re all here for the same reason. People are fed up with the actions of this current regime,” she said. “Since the inauguration, they have recklessly imposed tariffs, started a dangerous and costly war in the Middle East and instituted an inhumane immigration policy, among other things. They are lining their pockets from corrupt business deals while the average American is struggling to deal with the rising cost of food, housing and health care.”
Gallery: No Kings III (Saturday, March 28, 2026)
A collection of photos from the No Kings III rally in downtown Corvallis on Saturday.
Urey said that a final crowd count was still being determined from drone photos taken during the event.
Participants described a mix of civic concern and community solidarity as reasons for attending.
“It’s important now more than ever to continue resisting and to continue fighting for human rights,” participant Konnie May said. “It’s easy to be overwhelmed by the intensity and craziness of everything that happens day after day, week after week.”
Lisa Chick, who carried a lead banner in the parade, said her motivation was rooted in the rule of law.
“I’m here because I feel the rule of law is important to us all, and it’s been totally trampled,” Chick said. “Someone has to stand up.”
The rally was part of a broader No Kings coalition that included organizations such as the American Civil Liberties Union, American Federation of Teachers, Indivisible, MoveOn and National Nurses United, among others. All events were organized under a shared commitment to nonviolent protest, with organizers trained in de-escalation techniques.
