Tens of thousands of protesters gathered across the United States on Saturday for the second “No Kings” rally. The nationwide protest is aimed at sending a message that, in America, power lies with the people, not any one leader. The rallies, organised by civil rights groups, were held in response to an “authoritarian behaviour” by the Trump administration. Costumes, music, and cultural symbols marked the celebratory and civic-minded nature of the 2,500 protests across all 50 states.
Why ‘No Kings’?
The phrase “No Kings” has become the rallying cry for Americans who believe the Trump administration has overstepped constitutional boundaries. Organisers say it’s a reminder of the country’s founding principle, that the United States has always rejected monarchy and followed democracy. “America doesn’t have kings. We have elected representatives who are accountable to the people,” said Lisa Gilbert, co-president of Public Citizen, one of the groups behind the movement, according to WSJ.
Why are rallies happening against Trump?
This weekend’s rallies come after months of growing anger among activists and liberal groups who accuse the Trump administration of “consolidating power.” Earlier, the protests happened over early-term decisions on birthright citizenship, transgender rights, and diversity initiatives.
Since then, organisers say Trump has only made things worse by deploying federal troops to Democratic-led cities, aggressive immigration raids, and taking public aim at critics as a “retribution tour”. “This isn’t about politics anymore,” said a local organiser in Chicago. “It’s about accountability. We want a president, not a king.”
The protests, which started on October 19, are the second biggest this year. The first “No Kings” day happened in June during Trump’s 79th birthday. According to CNN, more than 2,500 rallies and events took place in cities and towns across the country, from Washington, DC and New York to Los Angeles, Chicago, and smaller towns like Easton, Massachusetts.
In Washington, around 200,000 protesters gathered near the White House. The atmosphere was described as both festive and defiant, with music, costumes, and homemade signs bearing messages like “No One Rules Forever” and “We The People, Not The King.”
Not everyone protesting identified as liberal. Some, like Dan Jameson from Massachusetts, said they voted for Trump in 2020 but now feel uneasy about the growing concentration of power in the presidency. “I didn’t vote for a king,” Jameson said. “I support tough immigration laws, but I want it done with accountability and respect for the law.”
In Washington, federal workers shared personal stories about the impact of the government shutdown, saying the administration has “demonised” public employees and put their families at risk. Retired residents and young professionals also joined, citing concerns over democracy and civil rights, CNN reported.
Donald Trump responds to the ‘No Kings’ rallies
President Donald Trump responded to the second round of “No Kings” demonstrations in an interview with Fox News on Friday. “I mean, some people say they want to delay reopening the government because of this, the king, this,” Trump said. “They’re referring to me as a king. I’m not.”
Earlier, several Republican leaders had criticised the protests, calling them anti-American. House Speaker Mike Johnson also claimed that the rallies have played a role in the ongoing government shutdown.
Most protests went smoothly, though a few small incidents occurred. In Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, a woman was arrested for brandishing a firearm near a demonstration. In Marietta, Georgia, a man stole a protester’s flag, leading to a brief altercation before the police recovered the flag.
