Hundreds of people of all ages lined the pedestrian bridge over Interstate 696 east of Gratiot Avenue on Saturday afternoon for the No Kings protest, all to voice their opposition to President Donald Trump.

Demonstrators lined the service drive sidewalk and the east side of Gratiot Avenue next to Costco, many decked in red, white and blue sporting “USA” and “America” shirts. Several waved American flags and carried signs in support of the Constitution.

The No Kings demonstrations were planned for hundreds of cities nationwide including Detroit, Roseville, Romeo, Ferndale, and Troy.

For many, protesting was about more than simply expressing a general dislike for the current administration. For several protesters, it was personal.

“It is definitely personal for me,” said Sandy Lanza of Macomb Township who wore a sandwich board sign stating: Proud daughter of immigrants. “My parents came here legally from Germany and I’m first generation.

“I just don’t like the cruelty that I see with regard to immigrants right now.”

Lanza said her parents came to the United States in the 1950s and that the process to become American citizens was lengthy. She was two years old when that happened.

“My parents came here for a better life and worked very hard to assimilate and to be American,” Lanza said.

The No Kings protest was personal for Warren resident Pete Bungart, too. A veteran who was stationed in South Korea, Bungart said when he heard about Trump’s plan for a military parade to celebrate his birthday, it infuriated him.

“The only place I’ve seen something like that is in places where there is a dictator and it does not belong in America,” said Bungart. “I spent my military career fighting against dictatorships and for the Constitution and I felt very strongly about coming out here today.”

For Warren resident Courtney Sheikh, the No Kings protest was about family. She was on the pedestrian bridge with her mom and grandmother, each with their own sign. After demonstrating in Roseville, they were headed to Clark Park in Detroit for the No Kings protest there.

Sheikh has heard stories her whole life about her family back in Europe having their homes raided by Russian soldiers and getting all of their valuables taken. She fears the same authoritarian type of government is pushing its way into America.

“Trump is only for the rich, he is only for the top 1 percent, the wealthiest of the wealthy,” said Sheikh. “I don’t like that we have a felon running our country right now; it is not right.”

Greg Lyles was planning to take two buses from his Harper Woods home to attend the Clark Park protest, but when he heard there was a demonstration closer to home he opted to come to Roseville.

“I would have had to take two buses to get to the west side, but I could take one bus and ride my bike here,” he said. “When I heard how much money was being spent on this military parade I had to come out today.”

Lyles said he is disturbed not only by taxpayer dollars being spent for a military parade for President Trump, but how those funds could have been better utilized to help Americans.

“My brother is a veteran and he really needs help,” said Lyles. “That money spent on the parade could have gone toward other things, like helping our veterans.”

One protester, who would only identify herself as “Mary” because she fears backlash for participating in the No Kings event, said she has been concerned about government corruption since Trump was first elected in 2016. In her opinion, that corruption has snowballed to the point she sees too many similarities to other times in history when Americans were oppressed.

“I’ve been around a long time and seen a lot of things and I’m extremely concerned,” she said. “I just had to come today and show support for the Constitution.”

In Romeo, locals gathered at the covered bridge over M-53 outside to participate in the No Kings protest.

Local organizer Kate Rae said about 400 people registered for the peaceful protest at that location. There appeared to be hundreds of people gathered on the bridge around 1 p.m., many holding signs with messages denouncing the Trump administration and its policies.

Rae said she interacted with one counter protestor who appeared to be in support of President Trump. The man was respectful and peaceful, she said.

“I just want a free country for everyone,” she said. “Liberty and justice for all. and that means no kings. I want a safe, healthy outlet for people.”