FARGO -- Bright sunshine, crisp fall air and fluttering flags set the tone Saturday as thousands gathered in the greenspace between Fargo City Hall and the public library for the city's second "No Kings" rally -- one of nearly 2,700 similar demonstrations across all 50 states.

"No Kings" organizers describe the coordinated events as opportunities to unite people opposed to President Donald Trump's administration, policies and recent orders deploying National Guard troops to cities over the objections of mayors and governors.

Local organizer Lyn Dockter-Pinnick called the Fargo gathering "a love rally, not a hate rally."

"We're here because we love our country and we want to protect our democracy," she told the crowd.

The temperature hovered in the upper 50s as attendees waved American flags and carried signs with messages such as, "Our Grandparents Fought Fascism -- Will You?," and, "Hate Won't Make Us Great." Others chose humor with placards reading, "It's So Bad Even We Introverts Came Out."

The mood across the event, which stretched from City Hall to the surrounding sidewalk and along the north side of the public library, was upbeat yet resolute. Many came in T-shirts or sweatshirts, while others donned costumes -- everything from bananas to princesses. Dozens wore inflatable outfits, from dinosaurs to SpongeBob SquarePants -- a now-familiar sight at demonstrations in Portland, Chicago and other cities, where the whimsical costumes have become a visual symbol of defiance wrapped in humor.

Kim Cusey of Hawley said his family's long military history, stretching from the Revolutionary War through World War II and beyond, inspired him to attend.

"I'm watching our democracy be picked to pieces. It's scary to say the least. It's a regime, not a government. They don't represent me or the people I love."

Avary Bartholmay, a St. Olaf College student from Fergus Falls, joined three generations of her family at the rally.

"I wanted to stand beside my grandmother, great aunt, their cousin and my mom to fight for our country and stand against tyranny and totalitarian regimes," she said.

Her grandmother Calina Olson said she's proud of her daughters and grandaughter and added: "We wanted not to be silent anymore. It's scary but I trust the young people will do what's right."

Dockter-Pinnick, who is in communication with the national organization, Indivisible, reported that at least 3,500 people attended the rally, and that number may be as high as 5,000. "There were so many people packed back by the library and at the tables," she described.

Organizer Rick Loftus estimated about a thousand more people attended Saturday's rally versus the one in June . Though minimal incidents occurred prior, approximately 30 volunteers trained in de-escalation provided security. Loftus said volunteers reported a quiet afternoon. Many of them handed out donated water -- including some brought by a supporter who drove from Winnipeg.

Fargo Police were present at the rally and also reported no major problems.

The two-hour rally featured music, chants and speeches from labor leaders and activists who called for nonviolent action and civic participation.

Speakers included Ashley Gaschk, president of the North Dakota AFL-CIO; Anastassiya Andiranova, a community activist and Ukrainian immigrant; Cody Schuler, advocacy manager for ACLU North Dakota; and Mark Froemke, president of the West Minnesota Area Labor Council / Red River Valley AFL-CIO.

Schuler said he's heard some people calling "No Kings," "I hate America" rallies, but "all I see from up here are people who love the United States of America." He urged the crowd to remember how the country was formed.

"There is no king, only people. There are no crowns, only the constitution," Schuler said. "We have to remember that power flows up from the people, not downward from the thrown."

Dockter-Pinnick closed the event by thanking attendees for showing up "at a time when some are afraid," referencing recent incidents of political violence, including the killings of Minnesota House Speaker Melissa Hortman and her husband , and the shooting death of conservative podcaster Charlie Kirk .

"This has been one moment where we showed that we love our country," she said. "But what we do next is what matters. Please find a way to get involved."