On Saturday, large crowds of demonstrators gathered in various locations across the United States to voice opposition against President Donald Trump. Protests took place in downtown areas, parks, and plazas, with participants chanting anti-authoritarian slogans while advocating for democracy and immigrant rights.
The organizers of the ‘No Kings’ demonstrations claimed that millions participated in hundreds of events nationwide. In preparation for the marches, governors across the country urged for calm and expressed a zero tolerance policy towards any potential violence, with some deploying the National Guard.
Although most protests remained peaceful, isolated incidents of confrontation did occur. In Los Angeles, following protests that had erupted over immigration enforcement a week prior, police used tear gas and crowd-control munitions to disperse a demonstration that lingered after its official conclusion. Similar actions were reported in Portland, where officers employed tear gas to manage a crowd gathered outside a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement facility deep into the night.
In Salt Lake City, Utah, police launched an investigation into a shooting related to a protest, which left one person critically injured. They apprehended three individuals, including the suspected shooter, who also suffered a gunshot wound. Police Chief Brian Redd stated that it was too soon to determine if the incident was driven by political motives or if those involved had prior knowledge of each other, although it appeared the shooter was mingling with fellow marchers. Video footage captured demonstrators fleeing in response to the gunfire.
Across the country, cities such as New York, Denver, Chicago, Austin, and Los Angeles saw overwhelming numbers of participants who danced, drummed, and marched shoulder-to-shoulder behind ‘No Kings’ banners. In Atlanta, a rally intended for 5,000 quickly reached capacity, with thousands more outside barriers eager to engage with speakers at the state Capitol. Seattle officials estimated attendance at more than 70,000 for the largest downtown rally, according to local reports.
President Trump was in Washington D.C. for a military parade celebrating the Army’s 250th anniversary, which also coincided with his birthday. In northwest Washington’s Logan Circle, about 200 protesters gathered, chanting ‘Trump must go now’ and cheering enthusiastically as a large puppet caricaturing the president—depicted sitting on a golden toilet and wearing a crown—was paraded through the crowd.
At many rallies, small American flags were distributed, while others chose to display their flags upside down, symbolizing distress. Mexican flags, frequently seen in Los Angeles demonstrations against immigration raids, were also present at various locations.
In Culpepper, Virginia, a protest escalated when an SUV struck a person, as a 21-year-old driver intentionally accelerated towards the crowd while leaving a rally. Authorities charged the driver with reckless driving.
These demonstrations followed a wave of protests against federal immigration enforcement raids that had begun the prior week, alongside President Trump’s orders to deploy the National Guard and Marines to Los Angeles in response to violent demonstrations that had blocked freeways and damaged vehicles.
The No Kings Coalition released a statement celebrating the unity demonstrated across both red and blue states as well as rural towns and major cities during peaceful marches, emphasizing that ‘we don’t do kings.’
In Philadelphia, thousands converged downtown where organizers distributed small American flags amidst protest signs calling for a fight against oligarchy and targeted deportations. Karen Van Trieste, a 61-year-old nurse from Maryland, expressed her desire to join others showcasing support for defending democracy. Her concerns encompassed the layoffs at the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the precarious reality faced by immigrant communities, and President Trump’s reliance on executive orders.
During the Philadelphia protest, a woman donned a foam Statue of Liberty crown, leading the crowd in an anti-Trump sing-along by parodying ‘Y.M.C.A.’ to replace ‘young man’ with ‘con man.’ C.C. Téllez, an immigrant from Bolivia, shared her dedication to community, stating, ‘I am what the successful American dream looks like… I’ve enjoyed great success here in the United States, and I’ve also contributed heavily to my community.’
In Los Angeles, a gathering outside City Hall witnessed thousands waving signs while enjoying a Native American drum circle before marching through the streets. Protesters engaged positively with National Guard troops and U.S. Marines stationed at several buildings, trading fist bumps and taking selfies, although some protesters directed chants of ‘shame’ and ‘go home’ at the soldiers.
Signs proclaiming messages like ‘They fear us don’t back down California’ and ‘We carry dreams not danger’ were visible, as well as a demonstrator wielding a two-foot tall Trump piñata decorated with a crown. Adding to the theatrical vibe, another individual floated a massive helium-filled orange baby balloon styled after Trump, complete with blond hair.
Near the downtown federal detention center, where Marines and law enforcement were guarding, the presence of the military was unprecedented since their deployment on Friday to safeguard federal property. Peter Varadi, a 54-year-old who voted for Trump, expressed regret, stating, ‘I voted for Donald Trump, and now I regret that, because he’s taken this fascism to a new level.’ He voiced discomfort with the current atmosphere of targeting marginalized communities, saying, ‘Who’s next? It’s gays. Blacks after that. They’re coming for everybody.’
The jubilant atmosphere in Los Angeles persisted even after the formal event ended, with crowds dancing to salsa music and indulging in food from vendors, many of whom were Latino immigrants. However, things turned confrontational when police on horseback moved in to clear a crowd, using wood rods and batons in the process.
In New York City, the marchers along Fifth Avenue articulated diverse reasons for their participation, including anger directed at Trump’s immigration policies, solidarity with Palestinian people, and indignation over perceived curtailing of free speech rights. Leah Griswold, 32, and Amber Laree, 59, were among those who marched in suffragette white dresses, distributing 250 American flags to attendees. Griswold remarked, ‘Our mothers who came out, fought for our rights, and now we’re fighting for future generations as well.’
Participants varied in age and background but shared concerns for the country’s trajectory. Sean Kryston, 28, articulated a feeling of alarm regarding the nation’s existential crisis, declaring, ‘We’re here because we’re worried about the existential crisis of this country and the planet and our species.’
In Minnesota, Governor Tim Walz along with law enforcement urged citizens to refrain from attending rallies as a precautionary measure, prompted by recent shootings involving state Democrats. Although several events were canceled, tens of thousands still gathered for demonstrations in Duluth, Rochester, and St. Paul, with participants marching to the state Capitol. While Walz canceled a planned appearance at the St. Paul rally, it drew a significant turnout.
Authorities mentioned that the suspect in the shootings carried ‘No Kings’ flyers in their vehicle, along with writings referring to the victims. However, they were unable to confirm if these were part of a broader plan targeting specific individuals. Seda Heng, 29, from Rochester, expressed her heartache over the recent violence yet remained adamant about joining the rally, stating, ‘These people are trying to do what they can for their communities, for the state, for the nation.’
In North Carolina, enthusiastic crowds gathered in Charlotte’s First Ward Park to listen to anti-Trump speakers before marching, chanting ‘No kings. No crowns. We will not bow down.’ The march stretched for blocks, marking a striking visual of unity as participants carried a giant Mexican flag, with onlookers cheering along the route.
Jocelyn Abarca, a 21-year-old college student, expressed the importance of speaking up against unacceptable policies, noting that the protest was an opportunity to advocate for social justice in light of mass deportations and the deployment of military support in Los Angeles.
Naomi Mena traveled an hour to her demonstration location in Charlotte, stating her motivation was to represent her friends and family who felt unable to speak out without risking their safety.
A planned rally at the Texas Capitol in Austin occurred amid tensions when state police temporarily closed the building and its surrounding area, responding to an unspecified credible threat towards Democratic lawmakers anticipated to attend. Although the protest initially faced delays, it eventually began on time following the area reopening. State officials later disclosed that one person had been taken into custody in connection with threats made against lawmakers after a traffic stop in La Grange, Texas.
In Mississippi, protesters convened on the state Capitol lawn in Jackson, where the sounds of Black Sabbath’s ‘War Pigs’ played in the background. One demonstrator, Tony Cropper, excitedly noted the emotional significance of witnessing different racial communities united in their fight against injustice.
With some individuals wear tinfoil crowns and others holding signs urging motorists to ‘Honk if you never text war plans,’ the diverse group maintained a demonstrative spirit. Melissa Johnson, who traveled over an hour to attend the Jackson rally, communicated her grievance regarding the state of democracy in the nation.
Portland saw its share of protests as well, where thousands lined city streets, waving “No Kings” signs as cars honked in support. However, tensions increased later in the day when clashes erupted outside a facility where federal immigration officials were stationed. Demonstrators faced dispersal measures, including tear gas and rubber bullets, applied by law enforcement aiming to clear the area, which had been declared a riot by police.
Throughout the day, at least two individuals were taken into custody, as protesters tended to each other’s injuries amidst the chaos.
The wave of demonstrations and dissenting voices across the country signals a clear message against President Trump’s policies and actions, as citizens from varying backgrounds unite to stand for democracy and social justice.
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