Staff photo / Andy Gray Protesters fill Courthouse Square in downtown Warren on Saturday for a “No Kings” rally.

WARREN — Protesters carried signs cursing many of Donald J. Trump’s policies while others mocked the President at a “No Kings” rally Saturday.

At least a thousand people lined West Market Street at Courthouse Square, one of more than 90 rallies planned in Ohio and about 2,600 nationwide.

There were no organized speeches at the Warren event. Occasionally, someone with a megaphone would lead a chant.

In one corner of Courthouse Square, a bluetooth speaker played political music — labor anthems such as “Which Side Are You On?” followed by the Vietnam-era anti-war song by Edwin Starr “War (What Is It Good For?).”

But it was inaudible to anyone more than 10 feet away.

It primarily was a gathering of folks who feel their beliefs aren’t reflected in the actions of the current administration.

“This gives me hope, being here with so many people of a like mind,” said Edward Ruberto of Niles. “We don’t have room for autocrats and kings.”

Ruberto is a veteran, and his father was a disabled prisoner of war.

He said he was protesting because Trump disregarded the service of men like his father and John McCain and because he avoided the draft with a medical deferment during the Vietnam War, while many of Ruberto’s friends were killed in combat.

Two days before the rally, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said, “The Democrat Party’s main constituency are made up of Hamas terrorists, illegal aliens and violent criminals.”

Some attendees tried to deliver a different message. Ruberto was one of many wearing clothing that identified them as veterans. Others, like Roger Garey, of Howland, were carrying American flags instead of protest signs.

What’s going on with this government … that’s not America,” Garey said.

Eric Boran of Cortland agreed.

“They’re doing things that haven’t ever been done before in this country,” Boran said. “The goal posts keep getting moved, and we’re going down a scary path.”

Doug and Bridget Grant of Howland built a small tank out of cardboard with a photo of Trump driving and had the vehicle driving over the Constitution and tombstones representing women’s rights, health care and other issues.

“Everyone here loves their country, and it feels this President is running over everything we care about, and we wanted to depict that,” Doug Grant said.

There were no counterprotests downtown, although it was clear that not all of the vehicles that drove past the protest contained drivers who were honking their horns in support.

Organizer Gary Tuttle estimated the final crowd at 1,350. About 90 minutes into the rally, Tuttle said, “It already seems like more people than the last one (in June), which was 800, and they’re still coming in. There are a lot of kids and people of all ages.”

Lucas and Libby Benson of Liberty brought their three daughters — Mary, 9; Caroline, 7; and Cindy, 4 — with them to the protest.

“With the recent attacks on free speech, I believe it’s important to come together as a community,” Lucas Benson said. “All Americans have the right to speak out and make themselves heard.”

When asked why they brought their daughters, he said, “We want to teach them what it means to be an American and teach them that it’s important to vote and important to fight for freedom.”

There were serious — and a few profane — signs criticizing the administration’s policies on immigration, transgender rights, health care, vaccinations and a host of other topics. Others used humor to make their point, and dozens were dressed in animal costumes, including penguins, unicorns and raccoons.

Doug Meyer of Warren rode a bicycle with an extended frame and “Dump Trump” sign while wearing a turkey costume and describing himself as part of “Turkeys Against Tyranny.”

“You’ve gotta get out and show up for your community and the people who think like you do, believe like you do,” Meyer said. “We don’t stand with the sheep.”

Those inflatable costumes got hot as the temperature climbed. Bridget Janow of Niles deflated her frog costume mid-rally.

“We need peace and freedom, and this president isn’t doing nothing for us,” she said. “All he’s doing is terrorizing communities and tearing us apart.”

When asked why she was wearing a frog costume, Janow replied, “Cause everybody loves a frog.”

Skyla Beal of Warren carried a sign that contained a serious message on one side — “A woman’s place is in the resistance.” The other side was more mocking — “You sucked in ‘Home Alone 2,” a reference to Donald Trump’s demanded cameo in order for the 1992 film (directed by Chris Columbus, who grew up in Champion) to be allowed to shoot in the Trump-owned Plaza Hotel.

“I wanted to help in getting the message out, and I’m trying to be on the right side of history,” Beal said. “How can someone be in charge who doesn’t necessarily like more than half of the population?”