WASHINGTON — Millions of Americans rallied Saturday in more than 2,700 demonstrations across all 50 states, mobilizing under the “No Kings” banner to protest what organizers and participants described as growing authoritarianism under President Donald Trump. From the National Mall in Washington and Times Square in New York to the streets of Denver, Philadelphia and Portland, communities large and small took to the streets to demand a return to democratic norms and to reject expansive federal power they say threatens civil liberties.
In Washington, D.C., thousands gathered along Pennsylvania Avenue and in front of the Capitol, chanting “No kings!” and carrying signs that read “Protect Democracy” and “Power to the People.” The scenes were mirrored nationwide, with an estimated 7 million people participating in New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Houston and dozens of smaller cities and towns. Organizers said the turnout was far larger than expected, surpassing the initial June protests and rivaling some of the largest social movements in U.S. history.
Speakers at rallies included prominent political figures such as Sen. Bernie Sanders, who warned that the Trump administration “wants more and more power in his own hands” and decried what he called “oligarchic influence” shaping policies. Former Vice President Kamala Harris urged Americans to join peaceful demonstrations, writing Friday on X that “the power is with the people.” At a separate Chicago rally, Mayor Brandon Johnson told the crowd, “We are here to fight fascism and defend democracy,” drawing thunderous applause.
Despite the scale of the protests, the mood remained largely peaceful and carnival-like in many cities. Marching bands, inflatable costumes, and banners quoting the Constitution’s preamble turned demonstrations into participatory celebrations of democracy. Protesters signed giant reproductions of the U.S. Constitution and carried handmade signs saying “Resist Fascism,” “No Kings in America” and “Dictatorship Starts With Silence.” The streets of New York’s Times Square were packed with over 100,000 people, while Washington saw more than 200,000 participants near the Capitol.
Yet the protests were not entirely without friction. In Portland, clashes broke out when police deployed tear gas against protesters near federal enforcement operations. Police also made arrests at scenes in Broadview, Illinois, and Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, where an alleged weapons incident occurred. Authorities in Texas deployed the National Guard in anticipation of unrest, a move critics likened to the suppression tactics being protested.
Supporters of the “No Kings” demonstrations, organized by coalitions such as ACLU, Indivisible, the American Federation of Teachers and the grassroots 50501 movement, emphasized their commitment to nonviolence. Organizers urged participants to “de-escalate conflict and act lawfully” and stressed that weapons should not be brought to events. A coalition statement declared, “America has no kings — the power belongs to the people.”
Trump and many Republican officials, however, painted the protests as radical and unpatriotic. House Speaker Mike Johnson mocked Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer for joining the movement, calling it “a shameless stunt backed by communists.” The Department of Veterans Affairs sarcastically wished protesters a “Happy No Kings Day” on social media. Trump himself dismissed critics, tweeting that he was “still your duly elected president” and “not a king.”
Still, the depth and breadth of the nationwide turnout suggested a profound undercurrent of dissent. Across Washington, protesters representing labor unions, civil rights groups, students, and religious organizations joined hands in march lines. “When power is concentrated in one person, democracy suffers,” said Elena Warsen, a rally organizer in Manistee, Michigan. “We are here to prove that Americans will never accept authoritarianism.”
The movement also resonated abroad, with solidarity demonstrations held in cities from Paris to Tokyo. Organizers said future events are planned to keep pressure on federal authorities in the lead-up to next year’s midterm elections.
