Thousands of protesters took to streets across the United States on Saturday in the “No Kings” demonstrations, denouncing what they see as President Donald Trump’s drift toward authoritarianism.
Crowds carrying signs with slogans like “Nothing is more patriotic than protesting” and “Resist Fascism” packed New York City’s Times Square and gathered in parks in Boston, Atlanta, and Chicago. Demonstrators marched through Washington and downtown Los Angeles and picketed outside state capitols in several Republican-led states, a courthouse in Billings, Montana, and hundreds of smaller public venues nationwide.
While Trump’s Republican Party dismissed the rallies as “Hate America” events, many protests resembled street parties. Marching bands performed, giant banners of the U.S. Constitution’s “We The People” preamble were displayed for signatures, and participants wore inflatable costumes, particularly frogs, which have become a symbol of resistance in Portland, Oregon.
This was the third major mobilization since Trump returned to the White House, occurring amid a government shutdown that has closed federal programs and services and is testing the balance of power as the executive branch challenges Congress and the courts.
In Washington, Iraq War Marine veteran Shawn Howard said he had never protested before but joined the rally due to what he described as the Trump administration’s “disregard for the law.” He cited immigration detentions without due process and the deployment of troops in U.S. cities as “un-American” and signs of eroding democracy.
“I fought for freedom and against extremism abroad,” said Howard, who also spent 20 years at the CIA on counter-extremism operations. “Now, I see extremists here at home pushing us toward civil conflict.”
Meanwhile, Trump spent the weekend at his Mar-a-Lago residence in Florida. In a Fox News interview before attending a $1 million-per-plate MAGA fundraiser, he said, “They say they’re referring to me as a king. I’m not a king.” A Trump campaign social media account mocked the protests with a computer-generated video showing him in royal attire.
Nationwide demonstrations
In San Francisco, hundreds of people spelled out “No King!” on Ocean Beach, while first-time protester Hayley Wingard, dressed as the Statue of Liberty, expressed concern over military deployments in U.S. cities, particularly Portland.
Portland saw tens of thousands gather downtown for a peaceful demonstration. Later, a few hundred protesters and counterprotesters confronted federal agents outside an Immigration and Customs Enforcement building, with tear gas deployed at times. The location has been the focus of nightly protests since June, prompting the Trump administration to attempt National Guard deployment, temporarily blocked by a federal judge.
Salt Lake City hosted about 3,500 participants outside the Utah State Capitol, advocating hope and healing after a fatal shooting during the city’s first “No Kings” march in June. Birmingham, Alabama, drew over 1,500 participants, evoking the city’s history in the Civil Rights Movement.
Jessica Yother, a mother of four, said, “It just feels like we’re living in an America I don’t recognize. Walking into this crowd, I thought, ‘Here are my people.’”
Organizers aim to build opposition
Democratic U.S. Senator Chris Murphy described the rallies as confidence boosters for citizens previously hesitant to speak out. Top Democrats, including Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and Independent Senator Bernie Sanders, participated, highlighting opposition to Trump’s actions from free speech restrictions to military-style immigration raids.
Organizers reported more than 2,600 rallies nationwide on Saturday. Sanders addressed the crowd in Washington, saying, “We’re here because we love America. The American experiment is in danger under Trump, but we the people will rule.”
Republican response
Republicans labeled protesters as far-left extremists responsible for the ongoing government shutdown. House Speaker Mike Johnson of Louisiana called the events a “Hate America rally,” claiming participants included “antifa types” and Marxists.
Protesters responded with humor and theatrics, reflecting Trump’s own performative style. In New York, police reported no arrests.
Democrats seek to regain footing
Democrats have refused to vote to reopen the government without health care funding, while Republicans say they will discuss the issue only after the government reopens. Observers note this marks a shift from six months ago, when Democratic divisions allowed earlier funding bills to pass without challenging Trump.
Ezra Levin, co-founder of Indivisible, a key organizing group, said, “What we see now is Democrats showing some spine. The worst thing they could do is surrender.”
Source: AP