KEENE, N.H. (MyKeeneNow) Protesters in towns across the Monadnock Region joined thousands nationwide Saturday in voicing opposition to the Trump administration, military displays of power, and what participants described as assaults on democratic norms. Demonstrations were held in Keene, Peterborough, Jaffrey, Walpole, Acworth, Bellows Falls and Brattleboro, drawing crowds from dozens to several thousand.

In Keene, a crowd of more than 1,200 gathered at Fuller Park in a festival-like atmosphere that included live music, food, and family-friendly activities. The protest began with a sidewalk march from Central Square and featured groups promoting peace, democracy, and government accountability. Protesters carried signs and flags while denouncing the president’s actions, including the use of federal forces in California and cuts to public services.

Peterborough saw over 850 people lining Route 101 at the intersection with Route 202, holding flags and signs with messages about democracy and resistance. Jaffrey, Walpole, and Acworth also held similar rallies earlier in the day.

The coordinated protests were timed to coincide with a massive military parade in Washington, D.C., marking the 250th anniversary of the U.S. Army and President Donald Trump’s 79th birthday. Critics of the event viewed the parade as excessive and authoritarian, calling it an inappropriate use of public funds and military symbolism.

Across the Connecticut River in Brattleboro, approximately 3,000 demonstrators gathered at the Centre Congregational Church before marching to the town common in what became one of the largest protests in the region. Singing, chanting, and flag-waving filled the streets as participants called for healthcare, housing, equal rights, and a more just legal system. Some speakers denounced what they described as a systematic erosion of constitutional principles under the current administration.

In Bellows Falls, several hundred protesters lined the streets near the train station and Waypoint Center, timing their demonstration to coincide with a scheduled Pride Whistlestop Tour. The atmosphere remained largely peaceful, though counter-demonstrators driving trucks with pro-Trump flags and coal-rolling engines briefly disrupted the event.

Many of the protests also expressed concern over recent federal immigration enforcement efforts. In Peterborough, some referenced past ICE raids in the area, including one incident in February when four individuals were detained near a local Mexican restaurant. Participants described these raids and similar actions in California as unconstitutional and said they fear lasting damage to democratic institutions and communities.

Overall, organizers and attendees cited a broad range of concerns, including the deployment of military force on U.S. soil without state approval, budget cuts to essential programs, and the use of national symbols for political gain. Saturday’s turnout, they said, reflected a growing desire across the political spectrum to confront what they view as anti-democratic trends at the federal level.