Crowds gathered across the U. S. for over 2,600 planned “No Kings” protests on Saturday, expressing concerns about what they see as President Donald Trump’s autocratic behavior and anti-democratic actions. Organizers expected millions of participants in major cities, small towns, and even some foreign capitals. The protests followed earlier demonstrations that took place in June, highlighting frustrations over issues such as the prosecution of political opponents, immigration raids, and the deployment of federal troops in cities.
Leah Greenberg, co-founder of Indivisible and a key organizer of the protests, emphasized that protesting is a fundamental American right. In Washington, D. C., protesters filled the streets near the U. S. Capitol, carrying signs, flags, and balloons in a festive atmosphere. Some participants wore costumes, and certain marchers displayed signs advocating for Trump’s impeachment. Aliston Elliot, one protester, voiced support for democracy and opposition to the overreach of power.
Large crowds also gathered in cities like New York, Boston, Chicago, and Atlanta, with U. S. Marine Corps veteran Daniel Gamez expressing confusion about the current state of the nation and reaffirming that the U. S. was founded against tyranny. Since Trump took office, his administration has increased immigration enforcement and proposed cuts to federal services, leading to further unrest.
While Trump did not address the protests, he commented in an interview, denying claims that he is a king. More than 300 grassroots groups organized the marches, and the ACLU trained thousands of people to act as marshals, focusing on de-escalation techniques. Prominent figures like Senator Bernie Sanders and Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez supported the movement. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries also spoke in favor of the protests, affirming the democratic nature of peaceful demonstrations.
Some Republicans criticized the protests as anti-American, while others warned they could incite political violence. Political activism expert Dana Fisher predicted Saturday could see one of the largest protest turnouts in U. S. history, estimating over 3 million participants. The protests began overseas, with gatherings at the U. S. Embassy in London and in other cities in Spain.
With information from Reuters
