Washington: Across the United States on Saturday, Americans from all walks of life converged in a massive wave of protest, participating in the "No Kings" rallies to challenge what they see as authoritarian tendencies under President Donald Trump. The demonstrations spanned more than 2,600 cities, towns, and suburbs, drawing millions of participants by the end of the day.
In New York City, Times Square became a sea of people as over 100,000 protesters filled the streets, many clad in costumes and carrying balloons, flags, and banners. Boston, Philadelphia, Atlanta, Denver, Chicago, and Seattle also hosted large rallies, with thousands in attendance, while Los Angeles and San Diego reported peaceful gatherings exceeding 25,000 participants. The atmosphere was described as festive, with families, retirees, and activists marching side by side, yet law enforcement reported minimal incidents of disorder.
The protests reflected widespread disillusionment with Trump’s administration, particularly among progressives, who have criticized the president’s handling of political opponents, immigration enforcement, and the installation of loyalists across government institutions. Leah Greenberg, co-founder of the Indivisible movement, emphasized the constitutional right to protest, saying, “There is nothing more American than saying, 'We don’t have kings' and exercising our right to peacefully protest.”
Demonstrators in Washington, D.C., marched toward the U.S. Capitol, chanting slogans and displaying signs such as “No Wannabe Dictators,” while in Portland, Oregon, veterans like 70-year-old Kevin Brice expressed alarm over the perceived shift in political values, stating that even lifelong Republicans felt alienated by the party’s direction.
Despite the scale and energy of the demonstrations, the rallies remained orderly, and police maintained a largely unobtrusive presence. Analysts suggest that the events mark one of the largest organized protest movements in recent U.S. history, highlighting deepening political divides as the country prepares for upcoming electoral contests.
Saturday’s nationwide mobilization underscored the potency of grassroots activism in shaping national discourse and reaffirmed the enduring commitment of Americans to democratic principles, even in times of political uncertainty.