MORRISTOWN - Analilia Mejia didn't speak, but she got something maybe even better.

A shout out to thousands of people jammed in and around South Street for Saturday's "No Kings" rally.

Mejia was introduced as a fighter for a higher minimum wage and workers' rights.

She waved and happily acknowledged the cheering crowd. On this brisk morning, Mejia, the Democratic candidate in CD-11, was making the rounds to multiple rallies around the district. She faces off with Republican Joe Hathaway in the April 16 special election.

Organizers of what was the third such protest in Morristown said they purposely avoided addresses from politicians in favor of immigrant supporters and students.

Speakers spoke of their fear of ICE and condemned the Trump administration.

There were signs - and more signs - held aloft.

Some were profane. One read simply, "F.... Trump. F.... ICE."

Others ridiculed Donald Trump's "bone spurs," which allegedly allowed him to skip military service.

"Wannabe King Don," read one sign.

Other signs criticized the war in Iran and opposed a planned ICE facility in Roxbury. Both the state and Republican-run town are suing to stop it.

One exception to the no politicians rule was Tim Dougherty, who as mayor, welcomed the crowd to town.

He was certainly in sync with the crowd when he said it is important to believe in the humanity of every individual.

"We were not created to bow to power," he said.

Many times the importance of these protests is not what is said - after all, most of the speakers say basically the same thing, albeit in different ways.

What's significant is the number who show up and what they do next.

The last "No Kings" rally was in October and its large crowds statewide were indicative of Democratic and left wing anger with Trump. We saw that play out in real terms a few weeks later when Mikie Sherrill easily won a race that many thought would be pretty close.

It's still seven-plus months to November, but Dems have to hope today's sentiment remains.

Two of the speakers bluntly told the crowd that without political strength in the ballot box, these exercises - no matter how joyous - mean little.

Shortly before the rally began, a man holding two poles with flags in support of Trump stood across the street from the podium. He said he was from Somerset County and he wanted to share his opinion.

Soon thereafter, police moved him down the block a bit, saying poles were not permitted in the main rally area.

That was the only sign of a "counter-demonstration."

Asked later, how he liked the protest?

"Interesting," said the Trump supporter.