Millions of Americans packed streets, parks and town squares across the United States Saturday for No Kings day, according to the organizers of the massive day of demonstrations protesting President Donald Trump’s administration — from his deployment of troops to cities to his targeting of political opponents.
Thousands upon thousands showed up for the second organized No Kings day in America’s largest cities like Atlanta, New York City and Chicago, to smaller metro areas and towns including Greensburg, Pennsylvania; Bismarck, North Dakota; Palm Coast, Florida; and Hammond, Louisiana. More than 2,600 nonviolent demonstrations were planned.
By Saturday evening, it appeared most protests were peaceful, with a handful of isolated scuffles reported across the country.
In a separate demonstration in Portland, Oregon, federal officers on the roof of the city’s U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement building shot pepper balls at protestors. No Kings organizers said they were not involved in activities at the ICE facility, which has been the center of weeks of protests.
The first No Kings day coincided with Trump’s military parade that occurred on his 79th birthday in June.
Demonstrators decried Trump’s dispatch of National Guard troops to several U.S. cities, as well as ongoing immigration crackdowns in Los Angeles, the nation’s capital, Portland, Oregon, and Chicago and where U.S. citizens have been swept up in raids.
Ben Grimes, of Northern Virginia, who said he spent two decades in the U.S. Army piloting helicopters and working as a military lawyer, held a sign bearing the message “I Served America Not Autocracy.”
Grimes stood among tens of thousands of demonstrators who stretched down several blocks of Pennsylvania Avenue at the Washington, D.C., No Kings day event.
“We’re sliding very rapidly into autocracy and lawlessness,” said the 52-year-old veteran, whose career included a deployment to Baghdad.
“Just about everything has worried me, but I am particularly concerned about the use of the deployment of military troops in the U.S. and the apparent lawless killing of civilians in the Caribbean,” Grimes said.
Peggy and Ken Greco donned clown costumes, and displayed a sign that read “Elect a Clown Expect a Circus.”
The couple drove from Augusta, Georgia, to attend the D.C. rally.
“We came because we feel very powerless about what’s going on, and we have to do something,” Peggy, 69, said, becoming emotional.
In Chicago, Grant Park filled with thousands of people carrying symbols of repudiation of the Trump administration, particularly U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, from anti-ICE signs to posters satirizing the president.
Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker, a Democrat, also called on the crowd to be united and speak out.
“Democracy requires your courage, and tyranny requires good people doing nothing … and it fails when ordinary people refuse to cooperate and they say, ‘no kings’ and mean it,” Pritzker said.
Thousands of people gathered in Times Square in Manhattan for New York City’s No Kings day peaceful 1.6-mile march down 7th Avenue.
Silas Perez, 21, who lives in the Bronx, said she “wants to fight for our rights while we still have them.”
“They want to say ‘Make America Great Again.’ It was better before,” Perez said. “This is worse.”
Jacob Chansley, known to most as the “Q Shaman,” spoke to the Arizona Mirror about why he was at Saturday’s No Kings event at the state capitol in Phoenix.
“For me it has always been about protecting the American people,” Chansley said, dressed in the same garb and holding the spear he had at the Capitol on January 6.
He denied the events of January 6 were an insurrection and said it was “staged by the government” and pointed to a sign he was holding when asked what brought him out to the rally. His sign made references to the Epstein files and criticisms of Israel.
In Lexington, Kentucky, protester Gracia O’Brien, 71, said, “I’m old, and I’ve never been scared for our democracy. I am now.”
In Fargo, North Dakota, Ken Opheim showed up in a red hat but with an anti-Trump message: Quid Pro Quo Trump Must Go. “Everything he does, he gets something back for himself,” Opheim said.
Lawmakers, activists and celebrities spoke at rallies across the country — Democratic Sen. Raphael Warnock in Atlanta, actor John Cusack in Chicago, Bill Nye “the Science Guy” in Washington, D.C. Sens. Bernie Sanders of Vermont and Chris Murphy of Connecticut also spoke to the massive crowd in the nation’s capital.
“He has not won yet, the people still rule in this country,” Murphy, a Democrat, said. “Trump thinks that he’s a king, and he thinks he can act more corruptly when the government is shut down.”
The protesters took to the streets during the ongoing government shutdown to question Trump’s actions since he took office for his second presidential term on Jan. 20.
Trump revamped his legally questionable mass firing of federal workers on Oct. 10, this time against the backdrop of the nearly three-week government funding lapse.
Amid the shutdown, Trump this past week authorized a $40 billion bailout for Argentina. The administration also continues to amass defense resources along the coast of Venezuela and carry out extrajudicial strikes on alleged drug running boats in the Caribbean Sea, killing dozens.
Repeatedly, Trump has threatened to use the shutdown as an opportunity to permanently cut “Democrat programs that aren’t popular with Republicans” by canceling funding already appropriated by Congress.
A member of his own party, GOP Sen. Susan Collins of Maine, said the Government Accountability Office should sue the for his administration’s illegal impoundment of funds already written into law — something he began to do long before the shutdown.
Since January, Trump has canceled billions in foreign aid, medical research, natural disaster assistance, and funding for museums and libraries, early childhood education and energy efficiency programs for K-12 schools.
Trump’s use of power was on full display when he invoked the Alien Enemies Act in March and defied a federal judge’s order by sending hundreds of immigrants, many without due process, to a mega-prison in El Salvador. The mistakenly deported Kilmar Arego Garcia became the face of Trump’s mass deportation campaign.
Nearly 300 partner organizations signed on to the nonviolent No Kings day, from local- and state-level groups to large national liberal advocacy bodies and labor unions, including the ACLU, Common Cause, Indivisible, the League of Women Voters and SEIU.
Trump was not in Washington during the rally. He left the White House Friday afternoon to spend the weekend at his Florida residence and was at his golf course on Saturday, according to the White House press corps traveling with the president.
Republicans have characterized the No Kings event as anti-American. House Speaker Mike Johnson of Louisiana recently described the event on Fox News as a “hate America rally,” claiming “it’s all the pro-Hamas wing and the antifa people.”
Trump declared “antifa” as a “domestic terrorist organization” last month, despite the fact that such a group does not exist. “Antifa,” shorthand for anti-fascist, is an ideology disapproving of fascist governance. He also issued a directive targeting progressive organizations, including Indivisible, according to a list the White House provided to Reuters.
IN THE STATES
West Virginia
Protesters turn out en masse against Trump during No Kings protest at West Virginia Capitol, West Virginia Watch reports.
Hundreds of protesters descended on the West Virginia capitol to speak out against detainments by ICE, potential federal cuts to health care programs, social safety nets and more that would largely impact already vulnerable people.
Oklahoma
Over 1,000 gather in Oklahoma City as part of nationwide No Kings protests, the Oklahoma Voice reports.
More than 1,000 people braved the rain in Oklahoma City, donning ponchos and inflatable costumes to join a protest outside City Hall. Many signs and speakers focused on anger with Trump’s deportation campaign, failure to release evidence in the Department of Justice’s investigation into Florida sex offender Jeffrey Epstein and the conflict in Gaza.
Arkansas
Hundreds gather in Little Rock for second No Kings rally, annual LGBTQ+ Pride festivities, the Arkansas Advocate reports.
In downtown Little Rock, the No Kings protest coincided with annual Pride celebrations. Hundreds of Arkansans marched down Capitol Avenue to protest Trump’s administration and to celebrate LGBTQ+ Arkansans.
New Hampshire
Second No Kings protest draws thousands in New Hampshire, the New Hampshire Bulletin reports.
Granite Staters who took to the streets in Concord said concerns about health care, immigration, racism, disability rights, free speech and more motivated them to join the capital’s No Kings protest.
Chicago
Alongside Pritzker in Grant Park, Mayor Brandon Johnson condemned Trump over recent immigration enforcement and compared the president’s deployment of troops to the city to the Civil War, Stateline reported.
“There are those in this country that have decided, at the behest of this president, to declare war on Chicago and American cities across this country,’’ Johnson, a Democrat, said. “They have clearly decided that they want a rematch of the Civil War.”
Johnson vowed that he would stand committed and would not bend to what he described as authoritarian moves by the administration.
Virginia
Thousands flood Richmond streets for No Kings rally in protest of Trump administration, the Virginia Mercury reports.
Organizers said over 10,000 people participated in the Richmond event. Families of all ages and backgrounds held signs, donned costumes, and sang pro-America songs at the Capitol before marching down Broad Street.
The Richmond protest featured speakers highlighting federal workers’ interrupted paychecks because of the shutdown, as well as their fear of the rise of fascism.
Indiana
‘Not pawns’: Thousands of Hoosiers turn out for No Kings protests, the Indiana Capital Chronicle reports.
A thick sea of Hoosiers flooded the Indiana Statehouse’s lawn for hours on Saturday — raising defiant fists and signs. Among the issues the crowd focused on were deportation policy, health care cuts and the belief that Trump is an authoritarian.
New York City
As in other cities, many demonstrators wore inflatable animal and fruit costumes, Stateline reports. Many also held elaborate handmade signs with messages such as “Trump must go now!” Others banged on drums or played music to rally the crowd.
Democratic New York City Comptroller Brad Lander told Stateline that state and local lawmakers need to stand up to a government that isn’t abiding by one of its founding principles — no taxation without representation.
“The federal government is collecting our taxes and not giving it back to us for services or infrastructure,’” Lander said. “So one thing state legislatures can be thinking about is ‘where are we pooling our money, before we give it to Washington?’”
Tennessee
Across Tennessee, No Kings protesters push back on Trump administration policies, the Tennessee Lookout reports.
Rallies occurred in 33 Tennessee towns and cities, including Memphis, where National Guard troops and agents from a federal task force have deployed. The Memphis demonstration took place one day after Shelby County officials, including Mayor Lee Harris, and state lawmakers from Memphis filed suit against Gov. Bill Lee over what they allege is unconstitutional deployment of Tennessee National Guard troops to the city.
Iowa
Iowans criticize GOP representatives, Trump at Des Moines No Kings demonstration, the Iowa Capital Dispatch reports.
Democratic state lawmakers, union organizers, immigrant advocates and teachers in Des Moines decried Trump’s and Republicans’ policies. Speakers also emphasized Iowa will play a vital role in putting a check on Trump’s power in the 2026 election, and encouraged Iowans to vote and stay politically engaged.
Maine
Thousands across Maine protest against Trump administration in second No Kings day, the Maine Morning Star reports.
Exactly 250 years to the day after the British attacked what is now Portland, Maine, during the Revolutionary War, thousands gathered in the city and across the state to declare the same thing Americans fought for then: no kings.
In Portland, participation nearly doubled Saturday from June’s protest. New attendees said they decided to show up because they feel the country has reached an untenable state, but speeches at the protests showed continued hope for change.
Florida
Florida crowds throng to denounce Trump, ‘fascism’ on No Kings Day, the Florida Phoenix reports. [Close to a thousand people demonstrated in three protests in Flagler Beach and Palm Coast. See: “At ‘No Kings’ Protests in Palm Coast and Flagler Beach, Cheer, Energy and Defiance in Throngs, But Effects Elusive.”]
In Miami, an estimated 5,000 people clad in American flags, golden crowns, and frog and Sasquatch costumes flooded Bayfront Park to chant against Trump. The event was held in front of the Torch of Friendship, a 1960 monument built as a beacon to welcome immigrants.
One disruption hit the Miami gathering when Barry Ramey and another member of the far-right group the Proud Boys briefly showed up to counter-protest. Ramey was one of the men sentenced for rioting at the Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021. City police quickly formed an escort to safely lead them out, as angry anti-Trump protesters screamed Spanish expletives at them.
New Mexico
Thousands protest in Santa Fe, Albuquerque for No Kings day, Source New Mexico reports.
Marchers in Santa Fe chanted a variety of messages, including: “No Kings/No ICE” and “This is what democracy looks like.” One man played the David Bowie/Queen song “Under Pressure” repeatedly from a small speaker.
Idaho
Thousands of Idahoans turn out for Boise’s anti-Trump No Kings protest at state Capitol building, the Idaho Capital Sun reports.
Thousands of people protested against Trump and government overreach at the Idaho capitol in Boise. American Civil Liberties Union of Idaho board member Sam Linnet spoke out against what he said is a government that is using fear to divide the American people.
Rhode Island
No Kings but lots of people with something to stand for outside Rhode Island State House, the Rhode Island Current reports.
A diversity of animal costumes was among the crowd in Providence, as were a variety of people from all ages and backgrounds.
Three teenagers perched at the feet of Nathanael Greene, a general in George Washington’s army who, in statue form, continues to look over the city from the base of the State House steps. The Democratic Socialists of America had set up an information booth underneath a tree’s shade. A woman who declined to be interviewed sported an outfit with Beanie Baby cats attached, and a sign that read “Cat ladies against Trump.”
Ohio
Thousands of No Kings protesters stage peaceful demonstration at Ohio Statehouse, the Ohio Capital Journal reports.
Alabama
‘We’ve got to do something:’ Thousands attend ‘No Kings’ protests in Alabama, the Alabama Reflector reports.
About 15 protests were scheduled around Alabama. Speakers and participants criticized the administration’s seizure of power, its arrest and detention of immigrants and its health care policies. Others said Trump administration policies were hurting members of their families. Crowd sizes varied, from about 40 people in Selma to up to 2,000 in Birmingham.
New Jersey
Thousands protest Donald Trump at New Jersey No Kings rallies, the New Jersey Monitor reports.
New Jersey residents took their rage — and ridicule — to the streets, with some wearing silly costumes to push back on critics’ claims that protesters are violent, anti-American extremists.
Minnesota
Thousands gather in downtown Minneapolis for anti-Trump rally, the Minnesota Reformer reports.
People told the Reformer they were there to fight for democracy against the threat of what they say is Trump’s overreach, including deploying the National Guard to cities, deporting immigrants without due process and cutting off federal funds to Democratic states.
Protestors carried signs decrying authoritarianism — “No Kings, No Fascists” — and condemning U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement — “I like my democracy neat. Hold the ICE.”
North Carolina
Thousands gather for No Kings protest in Raleigh to condemn Trump, North Carolina Newsline reports.
From noon to 3 p.m., cars and trucks in Raleigh were honking their support for a No Kings protest that lined both sides of a divided highway, drawing thousands of demonstrators frustrated with the Trump administration. The mood was light despite the serious issues raised, with many wearing colorful costumes and playing cheery tunes.
Montana
Small towns in Montana rally for ‘No Kings,’ the Daily Montanan reports.
Montanans turned out in traditionally red communities, such as Dillon, population roughly 4,000, and they gathered in tiny outposts such as Polebridge, on the edge of Glacier National Park, which almost saw more demonstrators than full-time residents. Most of the people who turned out to demonstrate appeared to be those who had already opposed Trump.
Demonstrators said they rallied to show support for democracy, for the U.S. Constitution, for civil liberties, for federal workers, for immigrants, for their own grandchildren, for health care, for the proper use of military troops, and for science and research.
Kansas
Small No Kings event puts love ahead of politics in rural Kansas town where immigrants are detained, the Kansas Reflector reports.
Kay Krause of Cottonwood Falls hosted a “love in action” rally at her house. The gathering of 13 in the rural town of about 800 people was among the smallest of the 42 No Kings events that were planned across the state as part of a nationwide uprising.
Krause’s event was different because it focused on kindness rather than the anger toward the Trump administration. Trump won about 75% of the Chase County votes in last year’s election.
Nebraska
Protesters gather around Nebraska Capitol for No Kings protest, the Nebraska Examiner reports.
Protesters held anti-Trump signs criticizing the callousness of the administration’s immigration enforcement efforts and cuts to federal services. Some chanted for Trump “to go.” Some protesters said they were happy with the turnout, citing frustrations over the president’s deployment of the National Guard to Democratic-led cities and attacks on transgender rights as frustrations.
Missouri
No Kings rallies draw thousands across Missouri, bolster initiative petition campaigns, the Missouri Independent reports.
Thousands gathered in cities and towns all over Missouri Saturday at No Kings demonstrations to speak up against the many ways they believe Trump’s and Republican Gov. Mike Kehoe’s administrations are a threat to democracy.
A St. Louis protester said he was appalled by Missouri’s new congressional map, which he called nothing but a “power grab.”
Michigan
Demonstrators amplify growing fear of Trump autocracy during Michigan-wide No Kings rallies, the Michigan Advance reports.
More than 100 communities from southeast Michigan to the westernmost part of the Upper Peninsula joined in a show of might to advocate for civil rights, democracy and the rule of law.
In Lansing, security for the protest was pronounced, with several state police in tactical gear and road patrol uniforms on the lookout for threats. As the crowd grew, cars and trucks driving by honked in support throughout the event. Some waved flags, held up signs or played loud music, and most were met with cheers and applause from demonstrators along North Capitol Avenue.
Maryland
On Eastern Shore, in Baltimore, across the state, thousands turn out for No Kings, Maryland Matters reports.
Rallies in Baltimore and Centreville were just two of more than 60 events scheduled in Maryland, from Ocean City to LaVale and from Northeast to Lexington Park and scores of points in between.
They were in big cities like Baltimore and small towns like Centreville. They were in deep blue counties like Montgomery, which had more than a dozen events scheduled, to deep red counties like Carroll, where one event was scheduled for the County Government Building in Westminster for those willing to brave it.
South Carolina
Thousands rally at SC Statehouse during nationwide No Kings protest, South Carolina Daily Gazette reports.
In Columbia, protesters’ top issues included recent waves of deportations, federal cuts to health care research and what they considered moves away from democracy. Attention turned to statewide issues as well.
–Ashley Murray, Stateline, with Alex Baumhardt, Jerold MacDonald-Evoy, Shalina Chatlani, Robbie Sequeira, Jeff Beach and Jamie Lucke.
Deirdre says
I made a sign that says;
Vote, boycott, demonstrate, donate, petition, email/call reps, volunteer, fight!
A lot of people are complacent because they think it’s going to take a lot of time and money to fight against the regime, there’s many ways to get involved.
RESIST FIGHT UNITE!
Land of no turn signals says says
Really ? I need a head count. I can’t believe people that say there is a 100 genders.What a joke.I’m drowning in the salty tears of the liberals.
Bo Peep says
2 percent who gives a dump what the crazy people think. Men in women’s sports, a presidential candidate with no election, open borders for anyone who can vote for them and can bring fentanyl. Autopens signing bills into laws. Yeah Trump has been great cleaning up you messes.
kola says
Still no king today!
Dusty says
So you weren’t concerned about our democracy when the DNC put forth a Presidential candidate without holding an election were ya?
Villein says
For those of you questioning the utility of public protest in the current political and technological state, it’s a statement of discontent addressed to our elected leaders.
Protesting will not sway the president’s agenda. But it will reinforce convictions among those motivated enough to participate. They are not alone.
There are worrying signs that we, as a country, are going to have far bigger concerns than immigration and post pandemic inflation by year’s end.
Endings are always painful but beginnings can lead to better things. God bless America and everyone who still believes in its promise. Ideas never die, but they are tested and refined until they become a razor.
Sherry says
WOW! The Maga Cult members commenting here really have absolutely nothing “Factual or Intelligent” to say. How very sad!
Grandson Of A LEGAL Immigrant says
Millions? LMFAO
Laurel says
It’s interesting that the few comments so far seem to push happiness with the “other side’s” unhappiness, such as “I’m drowning in the salty tears of the liberals.” That is a clear, retaliatory, hostile response, instead of trying to figure out how to compromise. How to get along. No real solutions.
What I enjoyed most about the protests was seeing so many American flags! The far right have behaved as though they own the American flag, which belongs to all of us. They also have behaved as if they own Christianity. That too, belongs to those who subscribe. Those who WANT to subscribe.
We need to become a country for all of us, not just some. We need to get over this one sidedness, which obviously doesn’t work. So, it’s not Biden, and it’s not Trump. Let’s move on and find good, caring people who want to make us whole, and who compromise. We need to take back our country from those who run off and play golf, and not caring what we think.
I’m sorry folks, but the current administration does not care what we think, and it, and others like it, need to go, now! We need true, caring politicians, and we need to discard any, and all, who are in it for self, financial, enrichment over our combined well being. Hard to find? Yes, but not impossible. Start with getting rid of “Citizens United.” Get the oligarchs out of our political, and personal businesses.
Sherry says
For those who absolutely refuse to believe their own “lying eyes” about the millions upon millions protesting against the trump regime across our country, for the sake of your own credibility and mental well being take back your thinking ability and change the channel. Fox is lying to you 24/7!
Atwp says
Protesting against is ok, voting him and other Republicans out of office is better. Go vote them out of office when it’s time to vote. Knowing Trump and the Republicans they will try to make protesting illegal, and they will probably try to take away a certain group of people voting rights away.
A Concerned Observer says
Please stop for a moment and smell the roses, or is this skunk cabbage? This protest was not a grass roots campaign occurring in one city or even one state. It grew and spread far and wide, ALL HAPPENING WORLD WIDE ON THE VERY SAME DAY. If this doesn’t scare the hell out of you, it should. Reach around, grab your ears and pull your head out. No, how can this event occur on the same day and time. We all saw it unfold on the TV NEWS! This was a huge well-orchestrated and globally financed event. Who has the power and wherewithal to put together such a huge demonstration, all occurring with the exact same slogans, buzzwords and signs, and all at the very same day & time? Nefarious world-wide gremlins are afoot here. Very powerful gremlins. Scary powerful gremlins.
Do I agree with everything President Trump does? No, I do not. Conversely, I do not disagree with everything he has said and is doing. Unfortunately, many of his actions are years too late to immediately resolve to result in immediate positive benefits and will only reap benefits beyond that which short thinking sheep choose to realize. Immigration has been out of control for years. Unbalanced, inequitable global trade policies have been going on for longer than that. Global alliances between Russia, China and North Korea scare the hell out of me. What do all the leaders in these countries want? Beyond money and power for themselves, they all want what we, in this great country have now. Maybe this is only the inventible swing of events seen throughout the world over a millennial. Greece, Rome, Portugal and Spain were once world super powers, spreading their will throughout the world. Where are they all today? How did they decline so far and so fast? Is the United States on the same path? Only if it’s people let it happen.
Ray W. says
WGHP-TV Greensboro reports that during a “No Kings” rally in Kitty Hawk, North Carolina, a 59-year-old motorist stopped and exited her vehicle on the side of US 158, at which time she began “engaging in violent conduct, conduct creating the threat of imminent fighting and violence” which involved “shouting derogatory/hate words”, according to charging documents.
Rhonda Kay Cecille Loy was released on a $1,500 bond. She tried to steal a protester’s American flag.
According to WALA Mobile-Pensacola, a 53-year-old female protester associated with a Fairhope, Alabama, “No Kings” rally was arrested on charges of lewd conduct for donning a phallus-shaped suit complete with testicles draped with an American flag, plus she held a sign worded “No dick-tators.”
Make of this what you will.
Ray W. says
The HuffPost reports that, after House Speaker Mike Johnson “warned us that antifa would be in attendance” at nationwide “No Kings” rallies, a reporter attended the Washington DC protest, at which she indeed did see women wearing “AUNT TIFA PACIFIST” T-shirts. Some male attendees wore “UNCLE TIFA” T-shirts. One protester inside a unicorn suit carried a sign: “UNICORNS for Democracy”. A woman’s sign read: “Hey Trump! No one paid us. We all hate you for free.” A T. Rex costume came complete with the sign: “MAKE FASCISM EXTINCT AGAIN”. Another woman’s sign read: “I (depiction of heart) America No King”, with a crown crossed out.
Raw Story reports that during a Jackson Township, Ohio “No Kings” rally, a not-yet-identified male drove his white truck over a curb directly towards protesters. Most evaded contact, but a woman seated in a chair was struck. At time of publication, the woman was still in the hospital with not-yet-revealed injuries.
A reporter who did not actually see the event ran up in the aftermath; he told Raw Story: “People were screaming that a vehicle struck the person and took off. I could see a number of people running after a row of vehicles that were at a nearby red light.”
Someone took pictures of the vehicle’s plate, from which troopers developed a suspect. Law enforcement responded to the suspect’s home and arrested him.
Make of this what you will.
Ray W. says
From the other side, according to WCVB Channel 5 Boston, Michael “Curl” (no spelling given in the video) was arrested after an attack on a man, Jonathan Silveira, wearing an inflatable Trump outfit who was walking away from the scene of the protest. Curl told police that Silveira hit him in the face with a pole before he attacked. The video did not show that act, but Silveira was carrying a flag attached to a long pole when attacked.
Make of this what you will.