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Tens of thousands of protesters marched and rallied in cities across the United States on Saturday for “No Kings” demonstrations denouncing what organizers called a slide toward authoritarianism under President Donald Trump.
Crowds packed into New York City’s Times Square, filled Boston Common and Chicago’s Grant Park, and marched through downtown Los Angeles and Washington, D.C. Demonstrators carried signs reading “Nothing is more patriotic than protesting” and “Resist Fascism.” Smaller rallies were held in state capitals, courthouse steps, and public squares from Montana to Alabama.
The protests — the third large-scale mobilization since Trump returned to the White House — came as a government shutdown stretched into its 18th day. Organizers said Trump’s use of executive power, military deployments in U.S. cities, and immigration crackdowns reflect a dangerous imbalance of power.
Trump spent the weekend at his Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida. “They say they’re referring to me as a king. I’m not a king,” he told Fox News before leaving for a $1 million-per-plate fundraiser at his club. Later, a Trump campaign account mocked the rallies with a digitally altered video of the president wearing a crown and waving from a palace balcony.
Protests Nationwide
In San Francisco, hundreds of demonstrators spelled out “No King!” with their bodies on Ocean Beach. In Portland, Oregon, tens of thousands rallied peacefully downtown, while federal agents later fired tear gas at smaller crowds outside a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement building.
In Salt Lake City, about 3,500 people gathered outside the Utah State Capitol for a memorial rally honoring a protester who was fatally shot during a June “No Kings” march. In Birmingham, Alabama — a city steeped in civil rights history — more than 1,500 turned out.
“It feels like we’re living in an America I don’t recognize,” said Jessica Yother, a mother of four from Alabama. “Here, surrounded by others who feel the same, I finally felt hopeful.”
Political Divide
Republicans dismissed the demonstrations as “Hate America” rallies. “Let’s see who shows up for that — antifa types, Marxists, people who hate capitalism,” said House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La.
From the White House to statehouses, GOP leaders accused Democrats of bowing to the far left and prolonging the shutdown to appease activists.
Protesters, however, said they were motivated by patriotism. Many carried banners featuring the U.S. Constitution’s “We the People” preamble, inviting others to sign. “We love America — that’s why we’re here,” said one demonstrator in Chicago.
Democrats Join In
Top Democrats including Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and Sen. Bernie Sanders joined the rallies. Sanders told the Washington crowd that “the American experiment is in danger,” but vowed, “We the people will rule.”
Organizers said more than 2,600 rallies were held nationwide — up from about 2,100 during the first “No Kings” day in June.
“These protests show that people are ready to speak up again,” Sen. Chris Murphy, D-Conn., told the Associated Press. “Big rallies like this give confidence to those who’ve been sitting on the sidelines.”
A Moment of Reckoning
Democrats have refused to vote for legislation to reopen the government until Republicans agree to health care funding. GOP leaders say talks will only happen after reopening.
Ezra Levin, co-founder of the activist group Indivisible, said the protests have galvanized Democrats. “We’re finally seeing some spine,” he said. “The worst thing Democrats could do right now is surrender.”
Despite sharp rhetoric, police across several major cities reported no arrests during the rallies.
