Coverage of the “King” Protest

As a cinematographer documenting protests for Breitbart News, my role often involves capturing live streams and various demonstrations. Recently, I covered a series of events on Saturday, all related to the same “King” protest.

In terms of the basic objectives of this “King” protest, the official website outlines how it aims to mobilize activists against authoritarianism, supposedly significant enough to challenge military actions undermining democracy. The site also expresses dissent towards “icy raids” and criticizes President Trump for allegedly politicizing the military. However, like many gatherings on the left, the actual focus at the protests felt much broader once I was there in person.

The “King” protest I reported on in Manassas and Alexandria, Virginia attracted around 800 to 1,000 participants. While this turnout is noteworthy, previous events across the nation have shed light on broader themes.

Notably Older Demographics

Unlike many left-wing protests I’ve attended in the past, which generally saw a younger crowd, this event was predominantly attended by seniors. It was striking to see so many older individuals participating. In fact, the Alexandria event even required ambulances on-site to assist some attendees.

Handmade Signs on Display

Typically at leftist protests, you see mass-produced signs that advertise causes and involved organizations. However, during the “King” protests, at least 99% of the signs were homemade. In my seven years with Breitbart, I can’t recall witnessing so many handmade signs at such events. It’s possible this was a concerted effort by organizers to encourage individual creativity in messaging.

Contradictions in Messaging

There were speakers advocating for peaceful protest, but some of the signage displayed reflected a more aggressive tone. It was hard to ignore the conflicting messages when signs promoted violence even as speakers urged calm. One instance that stood out was a woman enthusiastically greeting me with her middle finger after I mentioned my affiliation.

Underlining Themes

The primary agenda of the “King” protest focused on opposing Trump and his administration. Yet, many signs also defended social programs such as Social Security and Medicare, which seemed to resonate particularly with the older activists attending.

Pride in Patriotism

This “No Kings” event coincided with a celebration of the US military’s 250th anniversary, framed by some as a “display of domination.” Surprisingly, the number of American flags present was more than I typically see at leftist events.

Silencing Christianity’s Presence

During the protest in Manassas, a small gathering of Christian street preachers faced pushback from a participant who aggressively interrupted their message, a common occurrence at left-leaning events.

With future events already in the pipeline by the “No Kings” organizers, it appears we are just beginning to see this distinctive shift on the left emerge.