AUGUSTA — A large crowd gathered outside the State House Saturday to protest President Donald Trump’s policies on immigration, the conflict in Iran and a host of other issues.

The third “No Kings” protest in less than a year was expected to draw millions of protesters to thousands of events across the country. The movement chose “No Kings” as its slogan as a reminder that “America has No Kings,” according to the organization’s website.

Nationwide, groups involved include unions, the ACLU, the Human Rights Campaign, the National Education Association and the Union of Concerned Scientists.

Across Maine on Saturday, more than 50 protests were scheduled to take place.

Matt Bolen of Topsham, who attended the Augusta protest, said it was his first time at a “No Kings” event.

“Just the way that he speaks, I’m not comfortable or used to the scenario we’re in as a country, especially with him as a leader,” he said. “It’s embarrassing for me to be represented in any capacity by him.”

In response to the protests, White House spokeswoman Abigail Jackson dismissed the nationwide rallies.

“The only people who care about these Trump Derangement Therapy Sessions are the reporters who are paid to cover them,” she said.

Even before the protests began, the National Republican Campaign Committee called out Democrats running for the 2^nd Congressional District nomination who may have attended the rallies.

“These Hate America Rallies are where the far-left’s most violent, deranged fantasies get a microphone,” Maureen O’Toole, eastern regional press secretary for the NRCC, said in a statement.

For Molly MacGregor of Farmingdale, showing up at the State House — the seat of government power in the state — seemed like a good place to protest.

“Every day I wake up with a horrible new news line to read and it’s not OK and it’s not a future that I want the kids in my life to grow up in,” she said. “Nor do I want to grow old in a country like this.”

After brief remarks by the organizers, many of the attendees split into groups to march through the streets of Augusta. Others drove up to Augusta from the Old Orchard Beach area to make sure their voices could be heard.

Margaret Taylor of Ocean Park wore her pink hat from the days of the Women’s March at the state capital during Trump’s first term.

“I’ve come to every rally since,” she said. “I’m here because I don’t know what else to do, actually.”

She held a small American flag and a sign showing that Trump’s family immigrated to the U.S.

“I think his grandfather and mother would be rolling over in their graves because they were immigrants and they helped build America,” she said.

Elaine Fadden, also of Ocean Park, said coming to protests with other people gives her hope.

She said it was difficult to pinpoint just one reason she’s upset with the president.

“Taking people off the streets who are citizens of this country, taking people off the streets without judicial warrants,” she said. “The fight against trans people. They are taking rights away from trans people. Spending money on a war that’s not justified.”