Ants March at ‘No Kings’ Rally in Uptown

Demonstrators move through Uptown during Saturday’s rally as heavy foot traffic impacted ground-level movement. Photo by Staff Photographer / The Tiny Observer

CHARLOTTE — Ants joined two-leggers in Uptown on Saturday as part of a “No Kings” rally, aligning with broader calls against increasingly centralized leadership while also voicing support for their own queen-led system.

Marching alongside thousands of participants through crowded streets, several ants said they viewed the demonstration as an opportunity to express support for what they described as a stable, long-standing model of governance.

“We understand the frustration,” said Harold Ant, navigating a dense patch of Asics and Hokas near Trade and Tryon. “But we already operate under a queen. It works.”

Despite their presence, many ants reported difficulty communicating their position amid the scale of the event, with shifting foot traffic frequently interrupting movement and dispersing groups.

“There’s a lot of energy, but not a lot of listening,” said Allie Ant. “We’re trying to explain that a queen isn’t bound by the same swings in temperament and other illogical whims.”

Several ants said they remained uncertain whether their participation had been acknowledged.