Protesters march down Laurel Street Oct. 18 in downtown Columbia on their way from the SC State House to the Governor’s Mansion.

According to organizers of the No Kings rallies, some 7 million people turned out at large and small events across the country. Even with numbers still coming in, Oct. 18, 2025, marks one of the largest single-day nationwide demonstrations in our history.

There were more than 2,700 protests across all 50 states. South Carolina did its part, with events from the Lowcountry to the Upstate. It was a joyful and peaceful day. The only arrest took place in Myrtle Beach, where a woman brandished a firearm to threaten the crowd.

Columbia turned out in a big way, gathering at the SC State House for a rally, followed by a march to the Governor’s Mansion. Congratulations to everyone who spent their Saturday defending democracy. You looked amazing.