Millions rally across US in ‘No Kings’ protests against Trump’s policies
Nationwide demonstrations denounce what activists call rising authoritarianism and attacks on democracy
WASHINGTON (MNTV) — Millions of Americans poured into streets across all 50 states on Saturday in massive “No Kings” protests denouncing President Donald Trump’s policies and what participants described as his growing authoritarian grip on the United States.
From New York City, New York, to Los Angeles, California, Chicago, Illinois, and Washington, D.C., organizers said more than 2,700 rallies were planned nationwide, with an estimated seven million people taking part — making it one of the largest protest movements in modern U.S. history.
Demonstrations were also held overseas in cities such as London, Madrid and Malaga, Berlin, and in Sweden.
Chanting “This is what democracy looks like!” and waving signs reading “Democracy Not Monarchy” and “The Constitution Is Not Optional,” protesters voiced outrage over Trump’s decision to deploy National Guard troops in Democratic-led cities, intensify immigration raids, and expand presidential authority through executive decrees.
“This moment is not just about one man’s greed or corruption — it’s about billionaires hijacking our democracy,” U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders told a cheering crowd in Washington, D.C. “We’re here because we love America.”
The rallies were organized by more than 300 progressive and civil rights groups led by the Indivisible Project, MoveOn, the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), and the American Federation of Teachers. Organizers said the movement’s goal was to defend democratic norms and oppose “autocratic governance.”
“There is nothing more American than saying we don’t have kings,” said Leah Greenberg, co-founder of Indivisible. “This is a movement for democracy — peaceful, united, and unstoppable.”
The protests remained largely peaceful, with local authorities in major cities reporting no serious incidents. In New York City, New York, more than 100,000 people filled Times Square and nearby streets, while crowds in Los Angeles, California, gathered beneath a massive inflatable “Trump baby blimp” — a recurring symbol of anti-Trump protests.
In Chicago and Boston, demonstrators carried American flags and banners calling for an end to what they described as “government by intimidation.” In smaller towns across Alabama, Montana, and North Carolina, thousands marched to show solidarity with protesters in major metropolitan areas.
Participants expressed deep concern over what they viewed as the erosion of democratic institutions under Trump’s administration.
“I never thought I would see the death of my country as a democracy,” said Colleen Hoffman, a 69-year-old retiree in New York City, New York. “The cruelty and authoritarianism of this regime are terrifying.”
Trump, who returned to the White House for a second term in January, has ordered sweeping crackdowns on left-wing groups, expanded immigration enforcement powers, and dismissed critics as “enemies of the state.”
His administration has also faced a government shutdown now in its third week, with thousands of federal workers furloughed amid partisan gridlock.
Republican leaders condemned the protests as partisan attacks. House Speaker Mike Johnson called them “Hate America rallies,” while Republican Senator Roger Marshall of Kansas suggested that National Guard deployments might be needed to maintain order. “You’re bringing together the pro-Hamas wing of the far-left Democrat Party,” Johnson told reporters.
Trump himself offered a brief response, telling Fox News: “They’re saying they’re referring to me as a king. I’m not a king.” On his Truth Social platform, he shared digitally altered videos portraying himself wearing a crown — a move critics described as mockery of the protests’ central message.
The ACLU said it trained tens of thousands of volunteer marshals nationwide to ensure nonviolent demonstrations. “There is nothing unlawful or unsafe about peaceful protest,” said Deirdre Schifeling, the organization’s political director. “It’s the most patriotic act you can take.”
Support poured in from across the Democratic spectrum, including from former presidential candidates Kamala Harris and Hillary Clinton, as well as progressive lawmakers such as Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Bernie Sanders.
“Speak out, use your voice, and exercise your right to free speech,” Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer urged in a statement.
Analysts said the unprecedented turnout could mark a pivotal moment for America’s political opposition. “The protests are about solidarity — creating a sense of collective identity for those who feel anxious about Trump’s policies,” said Dana Fisher, a professor at American University in Washington, D.C. “It might not change policy immediately, but it can reshape the public conversation.”
As chants of “No Kings!” echoed across the United States and beyond, organizers vowed to sustain their movement in the months ahead, signaling that the nationwide outcry may be only the beginning of a renewed struggle over the future of American democracy.
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