Protesters took to the streets of Boulder County communities this weekend at rallies held to condemn the recent actions of the Trump administration.

“No Kings” protests took place nationally and internationally in tandem with the administration’s military parade on Saturday, which is Flag Day.

The protests and parade also fall on President Donald Trump’s 79th birthday.

According to the “No Kings” website, the protests are meant to “reject authoritarianism” and criticize the Trump administration for deportations, cutting government services and targeting civil rights. They also commemorate the 250th anniversary of the American Revolution.

On Saturday, protests were held in Boulder, Broomfield, Erie, Lafayette, Longmont, Lyons and Nederland, among other Colorado communities.

In Boulder, protesters gathered downtown between the Boulder Public Library main branch and the Penfield Tate II Municipal Building. The event kicked off with remarks from guest speakers, which were followed by protesters spreading out along Broadway from Canyon Boulevard.The registration count for the Boulder rally was 1,600 as of Friday night, according to event organizer Kenneth Nova. By 1 p.m. Saturday, Nova said, there were 5,000 people along Broadway.

Nova said the “No Kings” rallies are based on the concept of upholding democracy.

“There’s a lot of people that are really unhappy with what’s going on in Washington, and don’t want to see our country devolve into an autocracy,” Nova said. “It seems like that’s what Trump wants to do.”

Speakers at the Boulder rally included Boulder Mayor Aaron Brockett, Boulder County District Attorney Michael Dougherty, Colorado Secretary of State Jena Griswold and Boulder City Councilmember Nicole Speer.

In addition to signs, people were encouraged to bring non-perishable food items to the Boulder rally. Those donations were to be given to local food banks.

“We’re protesting, but we’re also looking toward what our community can achieve together,” Nova said.

Boulder resident Liz Garfield came to the rally out of concern for the Trump administration’s deportations and “trampling” of democratic norms. She said that Saturday was a great opportunity for people to speak out on the same day as the military parade.

“We know that we’re not happy with so many of the things that Trump is doing, but it seems overwhelming,” Garfield said. “I think the most important message is that this is the only way to fight back right now.”

In Longmont, protesters gathered at Sixth Avenue and Main Street downtown for the “No Kings” rally. The registration count for the rally was 1,150 as of Friday evening, according to event coordinator Lynette McClain.

In April, the “Hands Off” rallies against Trump also drew large crowds in Boulder and Longmont. Saturday’s rally in Longmont brought out a crowd similar in size to the April event, which McClain said had several thousand participants.

Before the rally’s scheduled start at 1 p.m., protesters were already lining both sides of Main Street between Longs Peak and Fifth avenues.

“I just think what’s going on in our country right now is wrong,” said Longmont resident Mary Etter on Saturday.

Firestone residents Sharon and Bill Thomas, who attended the Longmont rally, emphasized their love for U.S. national parks. One of their signs read: “Public land is not for sale.”

“We’re going to be heard,” said Sharon Thomas.