Mostly peaceful ‘No Kings’ protest held in Downtown Ocala
Ocala Police Chief Mike Balken, left, and Capt. Anthony Vizzini, keep a close eye on protestors from the second floor balcony of the Hilton Garden Inn during the “No Kings” protest on the Ocala Downtown Square in Ocala, Fla. on Saturday, June 14, 2205. [Bruce Ackerman/Ocala Gazette] 2025.
Editor’s Note: This story was updated with additional information on 6/18/2025.
A “No Kings Day” protest drew at least 1,000 people to downtown Ocala’s square on June 14, and the event remained mostly peaceful. However, of the six protesters arrested throughout the state during similar events, three were at the Ocala protest.
Stephen Libardoni, 65, was charged with two misdemeanor counts of battery. Alexandra Krolman, 35, was charged with one misdemeanor count of battery. Michael Loren, 47, who was wearing garments identifying him as one of the Proud Boys, was charged with battery but also a felony for possession of a weapon by a felon.
The “Gazette” has made a public records request for the arrest affidavits for the three arrested in Ocala, but at the time of publication had not received them.
According to a report from the “Tallahassee Democrat,” six in total were arrested throughout the state in conjunction with the protest, with Tallahassee, Orlando, and Panama City Beach each having one.
An estimated 5 million people around the country showed up for “No Kings Day” protests on Saturday, opposing the administration of President Donald Trump and countering the military parade in Washington, D.C. in honor of the U.S. Army’s 250th birthday. It was also Trump’s 79th birthday.
There was a relatively small counterprotest in Ocala compared to the rest of the crowd. Some were driving around the protestors on the square with pro-Trump signage. Sometimes, they revved their engines.
One man with the Proud Boys group, who identified himself only as “Wood,” told the “Gazette” they were there to “educate” people that the United States is a republic, not a democracy, and to advocate for limited government. He also said they came to assist law enforcement if needed.
Although at least one member of the group was arrested, Wood described the event as a good example of a peaceful protest.
Cindy Gardner stood near the counter protesters, repeating, “Peaceful protest. This is peaceful protest.” When asked if she was one of the organizers, she smiled and said, “No, I’m just a mom. This is what moms do.”
Trish Kilgore, a senior citizen, told the “Gazette” that today was the first time she ever participated in a protest.
Counter protester Logan Cline said he was there to show support for Trump.
“Sure, there are some things that are not so good,” Cline said. “We call that friendly fire in the armed services.”
Cline, who wore fatigues, told the “Gazette” he formerly served in the Air Force.
Ocala Mayor Ben Marciano told the “Gazette” after the protest, “Overall, I’m very proud of how our city prepared for it, and how everything went off. Today was a good example of how to peacefully protest.”
Marciano observed the protest from the balcony of the Hilton on the square, alongside Ocala Police Chief Mike Balken and City Manager Pete Lee.
The city posted to social media the day before the event, explaining the fencing placed along the sidewalk between the downtown square and State Road 40:
“The City of Ocala fully supports the public’s right to assemble and express their views peacefully. We want to clarify that the fencing placed along the sidewalk … is strictly for public safety.”
Marciano said the precaution was recommended by Balken, and he praised OPD for how the event was handled.
Among the protest participants was Joel Morris, who carried an American flag and wore a T-shirt reading, “Be Excellent to Each Other.” Morris said he was protesting the growth of executive power and a perceived shift in American values.
Erica Delacuz, one of the event organizers and a member of Ocala Blue Dots, told the “Gazette” at the end of the event that volunteers planned to begin cleaning up the square.
“We want to leave the square in better shape than before the protest,” she said.
Sharon Libardori said her husband, Steve, was one of the counterdemonstrators arrested. “He’s a Navy veteran who would never hurt anyone,” she said.
Libardori claimed her husband was arrested for simply walking through protesters while filming video.
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