Protesters gathered to express their dissatisfaction with the Trump administration at the statehouse Saturday afternoon.
The war in Iran, the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement immigration crackdown, the affordability crisis and concerns over the allocation of taxpayer dollars were all issues at the forefront of protesters' minds heading into the "No Kings" protest.
Second-year fashion merchandising student Ella Fogg was among those in attendance. She said she is concerned about the impact that this administration’s economy could have on her future.
“I think it’s very scary that we might not even be able to afford a house," Fogg said. "We might not be able to find a job in the future."
Second-year public health student Caelum Foushee is concerned about the current effects of local legislation. A recent vote by South Carolina congressmen added public colleges to an existing state law that requires transgender individuals to use bathrooms and locker rooms that correspond with their biological sex. This updated law prevents Foushee from using the restrooms on campus.
Matt Dronbik holds up his sign during the "No Kings" protest at the South Carolina State House on March 28, 2026. People attended the event carrying a wide variety of signs, ranging from humorous quips to powerful statements.
Looking more broadly at the current state of America’s political system, Foushee expressed concerns about the effects an aging government could have on future generations.
“So many people in power are going to die in the next 20 years, and they’re not going to be around to see the consequences of their actions," Foushee said. "We are."
This concern is shared by Eshan Shetty, a third-year sociology and women and gender studies student. Shetty hopes that future government officials will share similar political views with the younger demographic.
“I think we’re hoping for more people that actually represent us in our government,” Shetty said.
Protest organizers, such as the Party for Socialism and Liberation’s Samantha Rainwater, recognized the role that college students play in movements like "No Kings."
“Every major movement that we have seen, ... students were leading the way,” Rainwater said.
Sophia Myers, a first-year math and astrophysics student, stressed the importance of not being a bystander and hopes to see more action from her fellow students in the future.
“I would just really like to see more college students be open and honest about what’s happening and then have confidence in their beliefs,” Myers said.
One of the next steps for the organizations at "No Kings" is organizing an event on May 1 called May Day. Anson Foster, an organizer for the party, explained that May Day would be “another day of no business as usual,” which calls for people to not go to work, school or to shop.