Protesters have gathered in several U.S. cities for “No Kings” demonstrations, opposing President Donald Trump’s policies on immigration, education, and security. Organizers anticipate more than 2,600 events across the country, marking a significant mobilization of public dissent.
The rallies, held on Saturday, featured signs such as “Nothing is more patriotic than protesting” and “Resist Fascism.” In many locations, the demonstrations took on a celebratory tone, resembling street parties with marching bands, large banners displaying the U.S. Constitution’s “We The People” preamble, and participants wearing inflatable costumes—particularly frogs, which have become a symbol of resistance in Portland, Oregon.
This marks the third major mass mobilization since Trump’s return to the White House. The protests occur amid a government shutdown that has closed federal programs and services, testing the balance of power as an assertive executive faces off against Congress and the courts. Organizers warn that these dynamics could signal a slide toward authoritarianism in the United States.
Demonstrators filled major public spaces, including New York City’s Times Square, Boston Common, and Chicago’s Grant Park, alongside hundreds of smaller gatherings. Outside the U.S., similar protests took place near the American embassy in London, as well as in Madrid and Barcelona.
Throughout the day, protesters were seen walking on overpasses leading into Washington, D.C. Many expressed frustration with the perception that their motivations are misunderstood or dismissed. In Bethesda, Maryland, one individual held up a sign reading, “Nothing is more patriotic than protesting.”
Trump was not present in Washington, having retreated to his Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida. In a recent interview with Fox News, he denied being referred to as a king, stating, “I’m not a king.”
More than 2,600 rallies are planned nationwide, organized by hundreds of coalition partners. While earlier protests this year—against Elon Musk’s workforce reductions and Trump’s military parade—drew attention, organizers believe this event is forming a more unified opposition movement.
Top Democrats, including Senate Leader Chuck Schumer and Independent Senator Bernie Sanders, have joined the effort, which organizers see as a counterbalance to Trump’s actions, ranging from restrictions on free speech to aggressive immigration enforcement.
Ezra Levin, a cofounder of Indivisible, emphasized the importance of public resistance, saying, “There is no greater threat to an authoritarian regime than patriotic people-power.”
By midday, thousands had gathered in New York City’s Times Square, chanting, “Trump must go now.” The American Civil Liberties Union has provided legal training to tens of thousands of individuals who will serve as marshals at the marches, with additional focus on de-escalation techniques.
Republicans have attempted to frame the demonstrators as outliers, linking the protests to the ongoing government shutdown, which has lasted 18 days. From the White House to Capitol Hill, Republican leaders have criticized the rallygoers, labeling them as “communists” and “Marxists.”
House Speaker Mike Johnson described the events as a “Hate America rally,” citing groups such as “antifa types” and those “who hate capitalism.” He encouraged observers to note the turnout.
In contrast, former presidential candidate Bernie Sanders called the protests a “love America rally” in a Facebook post.
Dana Fisher, a professor at American University in Washington, D.C., predicted that Saturday could see the largest protest turnout in modern U.S. history, estimating that more than 3 million people might participate based on registrations and previous events.
Fisher noted that the primary goal of the day of action is to foster a sense of collective identity among those feeling persecuted or anxious due to the Trump administration’s policies. While she acknowledged that the protests may not directly change Trump’s policies, they could inspire elected officials opposed to his agenda.
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