Thousands of citizens gathered on Saturday across the US, as part of a day of mass protests against the government. Demonstrators denounce the president as authoritarian and recall the need for political participation and democratic processes. The events take place in a carnival atmosphere, with colorful posters and costumes satirizing government policy.
BREAKING: Massive turnout at the No Kings Day protest in New York City Times Square.
This is Trump‘s worst nightmare. People normalizing the fact that it’s OK to protest against a wannabe dictator.
— Brian Krassenstein (@krassenstein)
In New York’s Times Squarepeople flooded the square with slogans such as: “No more Trump” and “I pledge allegiance to no king.” Protesters wore costumes, including inflatable frogs, replicating an activist initiative in Portland, Oregon.
BREAKING: This is in Trump’s back yard. Washington DC No Kings Day Protest. This is just the start of the day.
It is absolutely unbelievable how many people are turning out for this. I love how everyone is staying peaceful. It’s exactly what Trump doesn’t want.
— Brian Krassenstein (@krassenstein)
The No Kings Day movement has its roots in an earlier demonstration, last June, with about 2,000 gatherings across the states. At the time, it coincided with the military parade in Washington for the 250th anniversary of the Armed Forces and Trump’s birthday.
This time around 600 additional protests were planned, mostly in rural areas.
Movements
In Atlanta: Thousands gathered in the city center. The atmosphere was calm, but participants expressed strong dismay at the government’s policies, particularly the treatment of immigrants.
HAPPENING NOW: A MASSIVE crowd of protesters flood the streets of San Diego for a “No Kings Day” rally showing their love for America and standing up against the corrupt fascist Trump administration
— Marco Foster (@MarcoFoster_)
In Madison County, Kentuckyj: Protesters stood outside the courthouse while passing drivers chanted in support of Trump. Organizers say the mobilization has been affected by the government shutdown, attacks on higher education, pressure on the Justice Department, immigration operations and the presence of federal troops in the cities.
“We’re seeing people understand that this is not a sprint but a marathon,” says Hunter Dunn, an organizer with the 50501 group.
Thousands of protesters gather for the No Kings rally in Boston.
— Crazy flix (@Crazyflix94)
Impact and political analysis
The intensity of Trump’s actions in his second term appears to be triggering more forceful reactions, according to Jeremy Pressman, political science professor and co-director of the Crowd Counting Consortium.
The previous mobilization, in June, was considered one of the most important in US history.
The protests are now spreading to areas that voted overwhelmingly Republican, more so than during Trump’s first term.
Support and statements
Organizers include national and local groups such as Indivisible and MoveOn and have received public support from celebrities such as Robert De Niro: “This time we rebel, raising our voices, without violence, to proclaim: No kings.”
The phrase refers to King George III, while organizers see Trump as imposing authoritarian rule.
The core of the protests is non-violence, with organizers trained in de-escalation.
Republican reactions
Republicans denounced the protests, calling them a “campaign to hate America” and attributing them, without evidence, to paid participants.
Mike Johnson, the speaker of the House, said: “It’s all Hamas supporters and, you know, anti-fascists. They are all manifesting now.”
Even more oversimplifying, Scott Bessent, the finance minister, told Fox Business: “You know, ‘no kings’ means no wages. There are no wages and there is no government.”
