At Little Havana's 'No Kings' Protest, Demonstrators Say Immigrants are Welcome Here

Chants echoed through Miami’s historic Calle Ocho Saturday as crowds gathered in Little Havana for the “No Kings” protest – one of approximately 3,000 such protests across the country. Hundreds of protestors lined the sidewalk outside the historic Tower Theater, holding handmade signs and listening to guest speakers address the crowd throughout the afternoon.

Born from the American Revolution and rejection of King George III, the phrase “No Kings” continues to shape modern protests over executive power, in particular of President Donald Trump and his domestic and international policies. The protest is part of a broader movement taking place in thousands of cities across the country. The protest in Miami’s Little Havana  was just one of nearly 20 groups protesting across South Florida on March 28, with thousands flocking to locations across Miami including Tropical Park, Miami Beach and Coral Gables.

The demonstration comes amid rising national tensions surrounding immigration enforcement, including recent actions by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) that led to the deaths of two U.S. citizens, Renée Good and Alex Pretti, during encounters in Minnesota in January. Many protestors expressed frustration with Trump's decision to wage war on Iran, especially without having sought support from Congress, a move opposed by a majority of Americans, polls indicate.

Participants said they came out to express a range of views surrounding government power, leadership and civic engagement, with many emphasizing the importance of showing up to events like this one in a city shaped by immigrants and cultural diversity.

Throughout the afternoon, speakers took turns addressing the crowd, pointing to Miami’s deep roots as a hub for immigrant communities. In Little Havana, long known as the center of Miami’s Cuban diaspora, the message also reflected the presence of Haitian, Venezuelan and Nicaraguan communities, as central to the message of the protest.

“Miami is so many people…it’s rich, it’s vibrant, and it's what we’re here to protest, not just for ourselves. But for our future,” said Ana Sofía Peláez, a Miami-based activist and founder of the Miami Freedom Project.

Other speakers focused on immigration, connecting federal policies to their impact on South Florida communities, where many residents have direct ties to countries across Latin America and the Caribbean. In South Florida, the Trump administration’s immigration crackdown has local resonance, and many expressed concern about the controversial Everglades detention facility dubbed "Alligator Alcatraz,” which Gov. Ron DeSantis opened last summer as evidence that Florida was doing its part “to remove illegal aliens not just from Florida, but from our country.” 

David Peery, a longtime advocate for the unhoused and former founder of the Miami Coalition to Advance Racial Equity (MCARE), addressed the crowd. “There is no such thing as an illegal human being,” he said. “All human beings are valued… we are a nation of immigrants, and we must celebrate that.” 

Nelson, a local organizer and speaker at the protest, said, “Some people are so isolated that they don’t know…what’s going on a couple miles from where they live. So this is an important place… anybody anywhere that they protest is an important place.” 

Nelson said his work includes volunteering at a Liberty City food pantry, supporting a free clinic that provides healthcare to Miami residents, and organizing efforts to help families facing housing displacement, adding that gatherings like the ‘No Kings’ protest allow people to connect, share resources, and stay informed about local issues happening in their own backyard. 

Throughout the event, protestors joined chants including: “No hate, no fear, immigrants are welcome here!” Their chants echoed along the street with passing cars occasionally honking or flashing a thumbs up in support from their window. At times, the demonstration took on a more energetic tone, with music playing and participants dancing.

As the protest came to a close, Malia, a California native, said she hopes more people join in the next round of protests. “I encourage everyone to practice their First Amendment right to free speech,” she said, “and protect your neighbor. Love your neighbor.”

Police were visible in the area, monitoring the demonstration as it continued through the afternoon. The protest remained largely peaceful, with no immediate reports of major incidents or arrests. 

Organizers say the protests nationwide drew about eight million participants across all 50 states. The growing turnout comes as recent polling shows President Trump’s approval rating at 36%, the lowest since his return to the White House. On the Thursday before the protest, White House spokeswoman Abigail Jackson, said in a statement that “the only people who care about these Trump derangement therapy sessions are the reporters who are paid to cover them.”

In Little Havana, a neighborhood known as a vibrant cultural hub for Miami’s immigrant communities, the demonstration brought national issues directly to a local stage. For many in attendance, it was less about a single issue and more about continuing an ongoing political and social conversation, one that continues across South Florida and beyond.