The lone woman who staged a ‘No Kings’ protest in small-town West Virginia

October 23, 2025

Kendra Sullivan, a 43-year-old West Virginian, unexpectedly became a viral sensation after staging a solo "No Kings" pro-democracy protest in Beckley, West Virginia. Her one-woman demonstration was highlighted during a post-protest YouTube meeting attended by over 40,000 people, where organizer Ash-Lee Woodard Henderson specifically recognized Sullivan's courage in the face of confrontation and threats. Despite initially planning to attend a larger demonstration, Sullivan decided to protest alone near her mother's house while dog-sitting, holding signs with "Big Lebowski" references about opposing ICE and authoritarianism.

Who is affected

Kendra Sullivan, who staged the one-woman protest and received unexpected recognition
Residents of Beckley, West Virginia, who witnessed the solo demonstration
The broader community of pro-democracy activists, particularly those in conservative areas who feel isolated
People who participated in or organized the nationwide "No Kings" demonstrations
Counter-protesters who confronted Sullivan during her demonstration

What action is being taken

Pro-democracy groups are holding "No Kings" demonstrations across the country, with as many as 7 million people participating in 2,700 events
Organizers are conducting follow-up meetings on YouTube to maintain momentum and share stories from the protests
Individuals like Sullivan are staging solo demonstrations in areas without organized protests
Police officers are responding to calls about protesters while also protecting individuals' rights to demonstrate
Activists are sharing and amplifying stories of isolated protesters to build solidarity

Why it matters

The article demonstrates that pro-democracy activism exists even in politically conservative areas where supporters may feel isolated
Sullivan's story highlights the potential personal risks involved in political protest in certain communities
The nationwide scale of the protests (7 million people across 2,700 demonstrations) indicates significant opposition to what protesters view as authoritarian trends
The recognition of a single protester by national organizers shows how the movement is working to connect and support isolated activists
The story illustrates the power of social media and online organizing to amplify and connect geographically dispersed political actions

What's next

No explicit next steps stated in the article

Read full article from source: The 19th