More than 2,600 “No Kings” protest events are planned for Saturday across all 50 U. S. states as a response to President Donald Trump’s policies on immigration, education, and security, which organizers believe threaten democracy. These protests are a continuation of similar demonstrations from June and aim to express the frustration of those opposing Trump’s conservative agenda.
Since Trump took office, his administration has intensified immigration enforcement, reduced the federal workforce, and cut funding to elite universities for various reasons, including the universities’ stances on pro-Palestinian protests and diversity policies. In some cities, National Guard troops have been deployed to support immigration agents and fight crime. Leah Greenberg, co-founder of the progressive organization Indivisible, emphasized the importance of peaceful protest as a fundamental American right.
Trump has largely ignored the protests, but in a recent interview, he stated he is not a king in response to being called one by protesters. Over 300 grassroots groups have contributed to organizing the marches, while the American Civil Liberties Union has trained many volunteers to assist as marshals and to help avoid conflicts. Prominent figures like Senator Bernie Sanders, Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton have shown their support, along with several celebrities.
The previous “No Kings” protests largely took place peacefully. Some Republican leaders have criticized the protests, calling them a “hate America rally” and alleging they incite political violence. Dana Fisher, an activist scholar, predicts that Saturday’s protests may attract over 3 million participants, aiming to strengthen the collective identity of those feeling threatened by Trump’s administration and possibly encouraging opposition among elected officials.
With information from Reuters