Thousands of protestors gather outside of President Trump’s 2026 Nebraska Rally

GRAND ISLAND, Neb. (KLKN) – Ahead of President Donald J. Trump’s arrival to Grand Island, Nebraska, thousands of people showed up outside of Fonner Park on Monday to protest.

They came with high energy, similar to the supporters waiting to see President Trump inside the Pinnacle Bank Expo Center, however their messages were a world apart.

The crowd spoke to Channel 8 on Monday about their goal to let their disapproval be heard.

While clutching signs, protesters shared messages whichever way they could; some had slogans on their shirts while one man held a giant puppet of the President decorated with the word “lies.”

The nonviolent ‘Rally for Democracy’ protest was organized by the Nebraska Democratic Party, alongside the Hall County Democrats.

Many hoping to see Pres. Trump’s motorcade pass them; waiting with words for him like, “Donald, grow up,” said protester Judy Vohland.

Gina Frank, the outreach coordinator for the Nebraska Democratic Party said, “We are coming for the House. We are coming for the Senate. You’re an embarrassment and we’re done.”

President Trump came to Nebraska to encourage people to vote Republican for the general election, happening in less than 28 days.

Those standing in protest at the corner of Locust Street and State Fair Boulevard in Grand Island said they want to encourage the opposite.

“It’s really important to be out here because in history, when we’ve seen bad things happen, and it’s really important to see the people who stood up against it,” said Frank.

She says people came from all over Nebraska and beyond, like Kansas and Colorado.

“There are just so many people, across the party lines who are here talking, speaking up against this,” said Frank, referring to issues like high health care costs and unfair treatment of illegal immigrants.

Rich Maciejewski, an Independent, says he showed up because of the state of the economy.

“Distribution of wealth in our country is terrible and we have got to change that. We have really got to bring the bottom up and the top down,” he said.

Maciejewski is no stranger to protests, which he attends throughout the year with a Peace group he is in.

His take on today?

“Well, normally it’s not nearly this big…I’m really happy to see how many people are here and all the different signs,” he said.

Adding, “It’s kind of fun too because you see all kinds of thinking by these signs.”

Tanner Mitchell was also in attendance and says he showed up to relay one thing, encouragement.

“I hope they see hope for our country. That’s it,” he said.

Judy Vohland was one of the first people on site.

“A lot of people thought we were protesting against him. I think we were protesting more for people to understand that they’re not alone,” said Vohland.

A few protesters told Channel 8 that they actually watched President Trump’s remarks during the protest via livestream on their phones, acknowledging that it was important to hear what he had to say.