By Shelley Inglis
What happens now?
That may well be the question being asked by “No Kings” protesters, who marched, rallied and danced all over the nation on Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025.
Pro-democracy groups had aimed to encourage large numbers of Americans to demonstrate that “together we are choosing democracy.” They were successful, with crowds turning out for demonstrations in thousands of cities and towns from Anchorage to Miami.
And while multiple GOP leaders had attacked the planned demonstrations, describing them as “hate America” rallies, political science scholars and national security experts agree that the current U.S. administration’s actions are indeed placing the world’s oldest continuous constitutional republic in jeopardy.
Once a democracy starts to erode, it can be difficult to reverse the trend. Only 42% of democracies affected by autocratization – a transformation in governance that erodes democratic safeguards – since 1994 have rebounded after a democratic breakdown, according to Swedish research institute V-Dem.
Often termed “democratic backsliding,” such periods involve government-led changes to rules and norms to weaken individual freedoms and undermine or eliminate checks on power exercised by independent institutions, both governmental and non-governmental.
Democracies that have suffered setbacks vary widely, from Hungary to Brazil. As a longterm practitioner of democracy-building overseas, I know that none of these countries rival the United States’ constitutional traditions, federalist system, economic wealth, military discipline, and vibrant independent media, academia and nonprofit organizations.
Even so, practices used globally to fight democratic backsliding or topple autocracies can be instructive.
In a nutshell: Nonviolent resistance is based on noncooperation with autocratic actions. It has proven more effective in toppling autocracies than violent, armed struggle.
But it requires more than street demonstrations.
Tactics used by pro-democracy movements
So, what does it take for democracies to bounce back from periods of autocratic rule?
Broad-scale, coordinated mobilization of a sufficient percentage of the population against autocratic takeover and for a renewed democratic future is necessary for success.
That momentum can be challenging to generate. Would-be autocrats create environments of fear and powerlessness, using intimidation, overwhelming force or political and legal attacks, and other coercive tactics to force acquiescence and chill democratic pushback.
Autocrats can’t succeed alone. They rely on what scholars call “pillars of support” – a range of government institutions, security forces, business and other sectors in society to obey their will and even bolster their power grabs.
However, everyone in society has power to erode autocratic support in various ways. While individual efforts are important, collective action increases impact and mitigates the risks of reprisals for standing up to individuals or organizations.
Here are some of the tactics used by those movements across the world:
1. Refuse unlawful, corrupt demands
When enough individuals in critical roles and institutions – the military, civil servants, corporate leaders, state government and judges – refuse to implement autocratic orders, it can slow or even stop an autocratic takeover. In South Korea, parts of the civil service, legislature and military declined to support President Yoon Suk Yeol’s imposition of martial law in 2024, foiling his autocratic move.
2. Visibly bolster the rule of law
Where would-be autocrats disregard legal restraints and install their supporters in the highest courts, individual challenges to overreach, even if successful, can be insufficient. In Poland, legal challenges in courts combined with public education by the judiciary, lawyers’ associations initiatives and street protests like the “March of a Thousand Robes” in 2020 to signal widespread repudiation of the autocratic government’s attacks on the rule of law.
3. Unite in opposition
This year’s Nobel Peace Prize winner, Maria Corina Machado from Venezuela, is an example of how political parties and leaders who cooperate across differences can offer an alternative vision.
Novel candidates can undermine the ability of autocrats to sow division and demonize major opponents. However, coalitions can be difficult to form and sustain to win. Based on experiences overseas, historian Anne Applebaum, author of “Autocracy Inc.,” has called for a pro-democracy coalition in the U.S. that could unite independents, Libertarians, the Green Party, dissident Republicans and the Democratic Party.
4. Harness economic power
Everyday consumers can pressure wealthy elites and corporations that acquiesce to, or prop up, would-be autocrats through boycotts and other methods, like the “Tesla Takedown” in the U.S. that preceded a drop in Tesla share value and owner Elon Musk’s departure from his government role. General strikes, led by labor unions and professional associations, as in Sudan or Myanmar, can be particularly effective.
5. Preempt electoral manipulation
Voting autocrats out of office remains the best way to restore democracy, demonstrated recently by the u-turn in Brazil, where a pro-democracy candidate defeated the hard-right incumbent. But this requires strategic action to keep elections truly free and fair well in advance of election day.
6. Organize your community
As in campaigns in India starting in 2020 and Chile in 2019, participating in community or private conversation forums, local town halls or councils, and nonpartisan student, veterans, farmers, women’s and religious groups provides the space to share concerns, exchange ideas and create avenues to take action. Often starting with trusted networks, local initiatives can tap into broader statewide or national efforts to defend democracy.
7. Shape the story
Driving public opinion and communicating effectively is critical to pro-democracy efforts. Serbian students created one of the largest protest movements in decades starting in 2024 using creative resistance – artistic expression, such as visual mediums, satire and social media – to expose an autocrat’s weaknesses, reduce fear and hopelessness and build collective symbolism and resilience.
8. Build bridges and democratic alternatives
Bringing together people across ideological and other divides can increase understanding and counter political polarization, particularly when religious leaders are involved. Even in autocratic countries like Turkey or during wartime as in Ukraine, deepening democratic practices at state and local levels, like citizen assemblies and the use of technologies that improve the quality of public decision-making, can demonstrate ways to govern differently.
Parallel institutions, such as schools and tax systems operating outside the formal repressive system, like during Slobodan Milosevic’s decade-long crackdown in Kosovo, have sustained non-cooperation and shaped a future vision.
9. Document abuses, protect people, reinforce truth
With today’s technologies, every citizen can record repressive incidents, track corruption and archive historical evidence such as preserving proof of slavery at danger of being removed in public museums in the U.S., or collecting documentation of human rights violations in Syria. This can also entail bearing witness, including by accompanying those most targeted with abusive government tactics. These techniques can bolster the survival of independent and evidence-based media, science and collective memory.
10. Mitigate risk, learn and innovate
The success rate of nonviolent civil resistance is declining while repressive tactics by autocrats are evolving. Democracy defenders are forced to rapidly adjust, consistently train, prepare for diverse scenarios, try new techniques and strategically support each other.
International solidarity from global institutions, like European Union support for democrats in Belarus or Georgia, or online movements, like the Milk Tea Alliance across Southeast Asia, can bolster efforts.
Democracy’s future?
The end of American democracy is not a foregone conclusion, despite the unprecedented rate of its decline. It will depend, in part, on the choices made by every American.
With autocracies outnumbering democracies for the first time in 20 years, and only 12% of the world’s population now living in a liberal democracy, the future of the global democratic experiment may well depend on the people of the United States.
Shelley Inglis is Senior Visiting Scholar with the Center for the Study of Genocide and Human Rights at Rutgers University.
Pogo says
Bo Peep says
The No Kings protest wasn’t effective because it didn’t make any sense to anyone that was outside of it. The looney antics and the violence will only serve to ensure another four year term of GOP leadership.
Deka says
I wish someone could actually explain what this No Kings march was supposed to demonstrate. A far as I am concerned, it’s a small portion of America that voted AGAINST President Trump. They have every right to protest but it means NOTHING!. I have read that the number of folks that protested ranged from 650k to 7 million. Thats a huge spread but NO ONE with any confidence can actually confirm that number. But go with the higher number, 7 million, 77 Million voted FOR President TRUMP and he is doing everything he said he would do during his campaign. Unlike biden, who campaigned as a middle of the political culture, but actually governed way to the liberal left. As far as I am concerned, this protest was really about a small portion of America upset because their ideas and thoughts were REJECTED by a majority of America! So again, can someone explain what this protest was supposed to demonstrate ?
Laurel says
I will start. We need more politicians, truly caring politicians, to be voted into our government. I recommend James Talarico, I am not a Democrat, nor a Republican. I am an Independent. I am not a Christian, and belong to no religion. Yet, I believe this young man could be the future of our country, because he cares, because he is respectful, because he remains calm in debate and because he is extremely intelligent. I see no self aggrandizement, no greed, no name calling or lies. I simply see a man who cares about all of us. We need many, many more like him. Let’s find them, and start by cleaning house.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_Talarico
Kennan says
Unfortunately everyone will wake up after they discover that America is not immune to autocracy and dictatorial leadership.
We have witnessed what can happen in 10 years, but even more importantly if we get honest and search our mental roll a decks, we will find that Democracy has been under threat in one way or another for decades. The Religious Right, large un- checked Corporations, Billionaires, and a two party system that is so woefully at odds with itself that it leaves its citizens out of , not just the political conversation, but told constantly that they count. The fact that the current administration has a very warped and one sided idea of what Democracy is terrifying. The fact that the Executive and Judicial branches of government are one and the same right now is a big big problem.
The extremities of The Two Party system has made this possible, as well as the fact too many Americans patting themselves on the back because they think America is so”Star Spangled Awesome” that they get intellectually lazy.
If we don’t start voting for candidates then we will continue to tow party lines with one party that is Evil and another that won’t Fight. This leaves Americans completely out of the political process.
People who vote for candidates, will find themselves more informed about said candidate, as well as be more informed in terms of what the candidate wants for the country instead of cow towing a party line.
This is one of the foundational things that has to happen in order to save our Democracy, as well as Give our involvement more meaning.
Skibum says
I’ll tell you what the “No Kings” protests in cities all across America meant for me. Support of like minded Americans, for our democratic values and in support of upholding the U.S. Constitution. Not only in what are commonly referred to as “blue” cities and states, but even in majority republican cities and states where liberals, independents and conservatives are coming together in opposition of what is going on in our federal government right now.
Just yesterday a nationwide poll revealed that 65% of Americans disapprove of Trump and what he is doing. That is encouraging! What is happening now shows the danger this country faces when two of the three co-equal branches of our federal government do not assert their authority and constitutional responsibilities to hold the executive brand accountable and prevent a president from taking power away from Congress. Power that a president assumes for himself to elevate the presidency into an authoritarian type of dictatorship where he holds ALL of the power and control of every aspect of government, even private businesses like media outlets to control the information flow to citizens.
People who are supporting what drumph is doing now do not understand that he may not be targeting them now, but eventually a wanna-be dictator WILL accumulate more and more control over the daily lives of the citizens that it will negatively affect even those who may support him now… but it will be too late for anyone to do anything when an authoritarian dictator takes so much control that nobody is able to stop him.
Americans of every stripe and color need to show each other RIGHT NOW that they stand for our nation’s constitution and the democratic values. Congress needs to see how angry citizens are that they are not doing their constitutionally required jobs, asserting their co-equal authority to keep a rogue president in check!
The more every day Americans stand up to authoritarianism by getting out onto the streets of America and peacefully marching in protest, the more OTHER American citizens will realize they DO have a voice, their combined voices DO make a difference, and they CAN decide to effectuate needed change by going en mass to the polls and VOTING to prevent an authoritarian dictator wanna-be from taking their right to vote away.
The more people are angry, the more determined they will be to change the direction of our government. This is what we desperately need, and is why I support the “No Kings” protests. Saturday’s nationwide protest was the single largest mass protest in the history of our country, with an estimated 7 million protesters, so ignore the false narrative from no news fauxinfotainment nuze and other extremist maga outlets who’s only goal is to confuse and spread disinformation from drumph’s WH to the citizens of America!
Sherry says
@ deka and bo peep. . . How about checking into “Factual Reality” occasionally?
The current average polling shows that trump has only a 42% approval rating at best
The current average polling shows that those thinking the country is going in the “Right Direction” stands at only 32%
Therefore, when Fox tells you that the majority of Us citizens support trump and the actions of his administration, Fox is feeding you their usual complete BS!
Here are links to that “factual” polling data:
https://www.economist.com/interactive/trump-approval-tracker
https://news.gallup.com/interactives/507569/presidential-job-approval-center.aspx
https://www.realclearpolling.com/latest-polls
Laurel says
Deka: It’s really had to explain to people, who pretend they do not see, what others see as blatant corruption and abuse of power. Who cannot see, or prefer to ignore, plain body language. Who refuse to admit they may have made a mistake. Look at Dennis C Rathsam. No matter what evidence is provided, he sees none of it. Whatever Trump says or does is 100% pure gold. No man or woman is such. Are you there? Even the Evangelicals call Trump “a flawed man.”
My husband, a Christian Republican, calls it “The be right syndrome.”
What the protesters are saying is, this country has never experienced such authoritarianism in their lifetimes, and they are extremely concerned. Our first fight against authoritarianism was against King George III of England, where we were ruled, and taxed, without representation. Trump only represents less than half of us, calling the rest of us “vermin,” which isn’t right. The real people he is favoring is not the GOP, but the billionaire oligarchy.
If you only get your news from Fox, OAN, Newsmax and far right social media, you are purposely being mislead for ratings. Same could be said for MSNBC or far left social media. It’s best to break away from those outlets.
Trump has two issues: retaliation and making himself, and family, ultra wealthy. He doesn’t need us anymore, and has actually said so.
Hence, the protests.
By the way, you may believe that this news outlet is liberal, but do keep in mind that you are allowed to voice your opinion here. Something that most outlets do not like or want. So, you are welcome here. Continue to seek information outside your political ideology. It will benefit you by making you a better thinker, and a more rounded person.
Deka says
First, I am extremely confident that the 77 million folks that voted for TRUMP Approve the job he is doing so far. Some folks are justly concerned on how tariffs may impact them however, the WORLD has been taking advantage of the USA for years, those countries were in fact adding tariffs or VAT taxes to make USA products more expensive in their countries, Trump is making this a fair process. Outside of that concern, I think you will be hard pressed to find anyone that voted for Trump saying they are mad at him today. These polls were showing Harris was going to win the election and that clearly never happened, no one should have trust in any poll!
Where is this blatant corruption and abuse of power? I say there is none. We all have difference of opinions however almost all the issues libs are upset with have been approved by the Supreme Court of the USA. Are you stating they are corrupt? You may not agree with TRUMP on his way of governing but it is LEGAL! Trump does NOT need the government to make him or his family wealthier than they are today unless you have proof otherwise.
I still stand by my point, the No Kings protest was really just a small group of anti Trump folks that are upset because their ideas have been rejected by America.
Sherry says
@deka. . . spin it any way you want. Don’t believe your lying eyes. Just keep fooling yourself. Keep your “addiction” to the BS on Fox/OAN/Newsmax. Just continue to live in your “Alternate Reality” where you tell yourself that a “Convicted Felon/Twice Impeached/Sexual Abuser is your Lord and Master”. It is “YOU” that absolutely does NOT represent American Values and democracy!
the numbers don't look good says
DEKA– I don’t think all of the 77 mil you quoted as having voted for trump approve of all he does. First of all, US pop is estimated at about 340 billion, which makes the 77 mil voters about 23% of the population (I realize that includes children, but many of our youth do care about what happens in their country). In 2024, 73.65 of those eligible to vote were registered and of those, 65.3% voted.
Next, for those who don’t have an interest in politics, they might care about how their taxes are being spent. $200 billion more spent in 1st 100 days than last year, $30 million for military parade (not including security, street repairs, etc), millions to 1 billion to retrofit new airforce 1 plane (don’t know costs for using it), and 2 planes for noem & admin staff @ $172-200 million. Numbers vary depending on sources, but of the 51,000 fed workers fired by July (not counting voluntary leaves) and about $4,200 fired during this shutdown- how many are collecting unemployment and not able to contribute back into the system (locally, statewide, and federally)? The cost for healthcare for the uninsured is estimated to be $7.11 billion/year.
Also, each time Trump uses Marine 1 to travel to play golf it is $20,000 an hour. Once he’s housed secret service, etc, the cost can be $3.4 million each trip. On top of that we pay for secret service protection of his sons on trips to the middle east and higher costs associated with military and ice deploys. Finally, during his first term legislation and executive actions signed by trump are expected to add over 7.8 trillion to our deficit that to exceed 100% of our economy for the first time since WWII.
I don’t know why anyone would be supportive of that no matter what your party is. Speaking of WWII, can we move past comparing trump to biden? LET’S COMPARE TRUMP TO FRANKLIN D. ROOSEVELT INSTEAD!!!!!!
Laurel says
Deka: You asked, I answered, you ignored.
The Supreme Court, currently, is an activist court. It could go the other direction some day, but that, too, would be wrong. That, too, would be dangerous.
Trump has broken laws, but has been unjustly deemed impervious to prosecution by this current court, which has justices selected by, and are members of, the Federalist Society, which are far right activists. So, when he does break a law, nothing happens.
He is currently breaking Maritime Law by killing people in international waters. He, and Hegseth, are unlawfully acting as prosecutors, judges and juries, and executioners of people without due process. We will see how that ends up.
We, the richest and most powerful country on the planet, have not been taken advantage of. We are not weak, and never have been. We have previously championed free enterprise, a concept that was held dear by Republicans, but apparently, no more.
The population of the US is 347,000,000 people, of which 77,000,000 voted for Trump. And, yes, I know people who have regret for giving Trump their vote.
It is really hard to imagine a President of the United States of America posting an AI production of himself flying over American citizens and dropping excrement on them. That is not something that generates pride. He is trying to weaken us, but will not succeed.
America Strong!
Sherry says
Thank you Laurel and The Numbers. . . !
Marlee says
# 1,455th Trump LIE!
U.S. President Donald Trump said of the construction plan for a new White House ballroom, “It won’t interfere with the current building. It’ll be near it but not touching it.”
Ed P says
Blaming billionaires may not be logical, there are less than 900 in the U.S. 900 out of 340,000,000…..(.0002647%)
Stating that the Supreme Court is now an “activist” court is rich. Political lean has been an issue for quite some time. Here’s the fact, 67% of the last 75 years the Supreme Court has leaned conservative. This should not be a revelation.
Continually sighting opinion polls is not proving anything. You must understand the construction of the question, limited respondents (600-1000) and who those respondents are is critical. The margin of error only accounts for sampling error, it does not measure other potential sources of error that can affect a poll’s accuracy. Hence if an opinion poll shows a 40% answer, you can not with any certainty say that if the margin of error is 3+- that 37%-43% is reality. Middle America is far different than the east and left coast.
Are the 3 above examples because most people do not have statistical or legal training?
Maybe, but it’s also not stepping outside their individual echo chambers. Attempting to understand is work and at times uncomfortable because it can shatter one’s beliefs.
The media “frames” issues and everyone simply accepts them as truths. Framing anything to prove a point in itself is not the same as lying. Maliciously framing is.
I am of the school that I don’t know what I don’t know.
Forcing me to reduce to the ridiculous to drill down for answers and understanding of the why. Similar to that 3 year old that keeps asking, “but why”
Laurel says
I don’t give a damn about polls, personally, but I don’t need a poll to tell me that a man who shows memes of shitting on American citizens, has the mentality, and emotional stability of a 10 year old, badly behaved child, and not that of a President of the United States of America. Throw in “grab ’em by the pussy,” mocking a man with palsy, and “they’re eating the dogs and the cats…” If all this is okay with you, then maybe, just maybe, you are the one inside the echo chamber.
You can come up with all the statistics and analysis you want, the boy ain’t right. In my mind, and clearly in others’ as well, this is not the America we have all known and loved. It is being degraded at lightening speed. To support this individual, who threatens all who oppose him, and ignores the laws in order to favor himself, would make those supporters questionable themselves. They, apparently, need retaliation against their own neighbors and family members. There is no other reason for “retribution” other than a complete lack of confidence and self esteem.
The United States of America, we have known and loved, has always been a leader, has always been a shining example of democracy, has always been a place to look up to, a place where people have risked their lives to come to, but is now looked upon as its citizens are losing their minds with a President who calls us American citizens “vermin.” This is unacceptable. This is not sanity. This is not stability. This is not what our children should think is our way. Trump has done nothing, nothing, nothing to bring us back together as a united country. Nothing! Division promotes his personal goals.
What, unfortunately, many of you, supposedly outside the echo chamber, don’t realize, yet, is that Trump does not give a shit about you, as he has more than suggested, and thinks it’s all a joke, and something to serve him.
Check your own echo chambers.
Ed P says
Laurel,
Your relationship with Trump isn’t even allowing you to read my post, and reflect upon its contents.
No mention of Trump. Nothing mentioned about defending him.
Just my thoughts on blaming billionaires, criticizing Supreme Court rulings and thinking polls are reliable or relevant.
Nothing more. I think people who use these to try to prove facts are either disingenuous, or gullible. Maybe both.
Laurel says
Sure.
Sherry says
Let’s redefine “TDS” shall we . . . I think of “TDS” as Maga “trump Devotion Syndrome” !!!
Sherry says
@ deka. . . OK let’s look at more voting numbers instead of “cherry picking” just one.
You failed to mention that those opposing trump actually have very impressive vote totals of their own:
1. In 2020- Elected President Joe Biden received the “LARGEST” vote total in history at a whopping 81 million 284 thousand and 666
2. In 2024- Kamala Harris (a black woman) won 74 Million 999 Thousand and 166= 48.3% of the popular vote. . . which is actually 774 Thousand 847 “MORE” than trump received in 2020!
Therefore, your “alternative reality”, built on Fox BS and trump’s lies, is actually a “House of Hate Filled Cards”. . . much more fragile than you believe!
the numbers don't look good says
Ed P- I’m really unsure of the point you are making. Polls don’t mean anything – agreed- don’t blame billionaires, yadda yadda. You’ve thrown out a lot of common sense info without forming any opinion towards the question at hand. What do you stand for? We know polls and stats can be skewed to show an outcome that favors your opinion. Re-read your thread and please make it plain what you are trying to say. I, for one, am super interested.
Ray W. says
Here is an interesting story about changing voting perceptions.
According to a Raw Story article, a Minnesota judge just sentenced a 51-year-old woman to three years of supervised probation and an $885 fine, plus a special condition of probation that she read “Thank You for Voting: The Maddening, Enlightening, Inspiring Truth About Voting in America”, by Erin Geiger Smith. The probationer must then write a 10-page paper on the “importance of voting in a democracy and how election fraud can undermine the voting process.”
Said the prosecutor after the sentencing:
“I think the sentence that was imposed here is very much designed to help her better understand the importance of some things and make sure that she doesn’t — and quite frankly other people don’t — take the same type of actions in the future.”
So what did the woman do?
In August 2024, prior to receipt of a pair of absentee ballots for mother and daughter, the mother died. The daughter so believed that her mother, an avid Trump devotee, would have wanted to vote for Trump that she filled out her mother’s absentee ballot and forged her mother’s signature and then witnessed that signature with her own signature. Then, she filled out her own absentee ballot and forged her mother’s name as witness to her signature. Two of the three felony voter fraud charges were dropped in exchange for her plea to one voter fraud charge.
Make of this what you will.
Deka says
Ok, I posted my question a week ago, what was the purpose and goal of the No Kings protest. I have gone back and actually read the answers that have been posted. My take away, there was no purpose behind this protest other than the folks that hate and did NOT vote for TRUMP to come out and express their opinion legally. If that was what this was about, I am happy for those that did. If TRUMP was truly a King/dictator he would not have allowed this to take place but he did. Have you noticed the media does not even mention this event anymore?
So for you TRUMP haters, I am glad you had your hour of “glory” that accomplished NOTHING since the purpose was just to allow you anti TRUMP folks to vent. I am thanking everyone involved for not letting this turn into violence.
I am always up to debate ideas and concepts that help AMERICA