Conflicts at Athens anti-Trump protests reflect affective polarization

WUGA | By Mary Ryan Howarth

Published July 26, 2025 at 10:00 AM EDT

State Representative Spencer Frye addresses counterprotestors at June's No Kings rally in downtown Athens.

Thousands of Northeast Georgians attended the No Kings protest in Athens last month to voice their dissent with President Donald Trump’s administration. The gathering also drew some vocal counter protestors.

WUGA’s Mary Ryan Howarth witnessed several tense moments during the event, and brings us this feature about how these conflicts in Athens reflect national trends.

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Mary Ryan Howarth

Mary Ryan Howarth is a recent graduate from the University of Georgia. She started as an intern at WUGA and quickly became a part-time reporter and producer. She also contributes to Athens News Matters and the Georgia Health Report. Some of Mary Ryan's interests include reading, arts and crafts, and running her podcast with her mom, HowARTh Gallery Gossip.

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