Protesters gathered in Bloomington and across Indiana and the country Saturday to express opposition to the Trump administration.
The “No Kings” protests in hundreds of U.S. cities were timed to coincide with a military parade in Washington, D.C., and President Trump’s birthday.
Read more: Trump administration protests coming to Indiana
A man is facing preliminary charges of intimidation and disorderly conduct for an incident during Saturday’s “No Kings” protest of President Donald Trump in Bloomington.
Protesters near the courthouse square tackled and restrained 31-year-old Hyun Joon Kim, who was carrying a large stick and appeared agitated. The man had used the stick to smash the windows of a car that he had previously parked in the street. Protesters ran from the area after the man pulled out what appeared to be body armor.
Police arrived soon after, blocking traffic around the square as they detained Kim and removed the car.
Police said today that a man had earlier tried to give Kim a hug to deescalate the situation and that Kim placed something in the man’s pocket. The man said Kim’s words made him fear it was an explosive device.
Civilians on scene restrained a man who parked in the road next to Saturday’s protest. (George Hale) On the courthouse lawn, speakers affiliated with the Democratic Party and groups opposed to Trump’s policies urged the crowd to fight back.
“ We reject the concept of having a king. This is a democracy, and what we see today is democracy in action,” said Sarah Owen, community engagement coordinator for Exodus Refugee Immigration, a nonprofit that helps refugees resettle. “Trump is wrong about immigrants as he bans people from conflict zones who are trying to live in freedom and safety. In fact, it is immigrants who make our communities better.”
Protesters marched around the square waving signs and chanting slogans.
A handful of Trump supporters also showed up but didn’t disrupt the event.
Read more: Hoosiers protest at Statehouse on Trump’s birthday
“Let’s go, Donald Trump! He’s doing the right thing,” a man riding a scooter shouted after stopping briefly outside the courthouse.
Other protests took place across Indiana, including a large one in Indianapolis. The Indiana State Police estimated around 3,000 people attended that protest.
