University of Kwazulu-Natal

No Kings Protests Mark Arrival Of Nationwide Resistance 2 0 Movement

Bonisiwe Shabane
-
no kings protests mark arrival of nationwide resistance 2 0 movement

The nationwide protests are playing out as a federal government shutdown lingers and troops are being deployed in cities. More than 2,600 protests against the Trump administration are scheduled to take place across the country on Saturday in a demonstration known as No Kings Day. Organizers are attempting to build on the momentum from their previous event on June 14, when around 2,000 rallies were held in all 50 states and drew more than five million people. It was the same day a military parade was held in Washington for the Army’s 250th anniversary and on President Trump’s 79th birthday. This time, the protests are taking place against the backdrop of a government shutdown, immigration raids and the deployment of federal troops in cities. Organizers say that the tenor behind the protest movement feels more charged and that they expect an even larger number of participants.

The number of people who have already signed up, which is not a requirement, is nearly double what it was in June, said Hunter Dunn, a spokesman for the coalition behind No Kings. The June 2025 No Kings protests, also known internationally as the No Dictators or No Tyrants protests, is a series of political demonstrations, largely in the United States, against what the organizers describe as... Army 250th Anniversary Parade and Trump's 79th birthday. Further No Kings protests took place on October 18, 2025.[6] Organizers estimated that more than five million people participated in more than 2,100 cities and towns, including the flagship event in Philadelphia.[7][8][9] More protests took place in the U.S. territories of Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico, and the United States Virgin Islands, and in 20 foreign countries, including Canada, Japan, Mexico, and in Europe.

In countries with constitutional monarchies such as Canada and the United Kingdom, the alternate "Dictators" or "Tyrants" titles were favored over "Kings" to avoid confusion with anti-monarchic movements; Hawaii did the same to avoid... The No Kings protests were organized by Indivisible and other progressive organizations[12] as part of a coalition of more than 200 groups, including 50501, the Third Act Movement, American Federation of Teachers, Social Security... The time for assessing this administration is over – now is the moment to raise our voices and be heard. Not just to protest this parade, but to affirm something deeper: that power belongs to the people, that democracy is worth defending, that we still believe in a government of, by, and for the... Inspired by Dr. King's legacy, this mobilization reminds us of his vision of a just, inclusive, and equitable society.

A dream toward which we have dedicated our lives' and urge everyone to stand together in the face of this latest challenge to our fragile democracy.[17] The June 14 demonstrations built on previous nationwide "No Kings" protests, notably the nationwide "No Kings on Presidents' Day" event on February 17,[18][19] and others on April 19.[20] They also followed other protests of... Marine Corps.[1][5] Mike Pesoli, Associated Press Mike Pesoli, Associated Press Gary Fields, Associated Press Gary Fields, Associated Press WASHINGTON (AP) — Protesting the direction of the country under President Donald Trump, people gathered Saturday in the nation's capital and communities across the U.S.

for " No Kings " demonstrations — what the president's Republican Party is calling "Hate America" rallies. Watch speakers at the 'No Kings' protest in Washington, D.C. in the video player above. They rallied with signs like "Nothing is more patriotic than protesting" or "Resist Fascism," and in many places it looked more like a street party. There were marching bands, a huge banner with the U.S. Constitution's "We The People," preamble that people could sign, and protesters in frog costumes, which have emerged as a sign of resistance in Portland, Oregon.

As President Donald Trump arrived at his military parade in Washington, DC, this June to a 21-gun salute and members of the crowd singing “Happy Birthday,” about 5 million people across the country took... Now, amid an ongoing government shutdown and Trump’s push to deploy National Guard troops to American cities, millions are gearing up for round two. More than 2,500 demonstrations – about 450 more than were planned in June – across all 50 states are slated for Saturday in the second round of “No Kings” protests, which aim to broadly... Some Republican leaders have labeled the protests as anti-American. House Speaker Mike Johnson claimed, without evidence, that Saturday’s planned rallies have contributed to the ongoing government shutdown. When the first round of “No Kings” protests took place, Trump had just barreled through the first five months of his second term with hundreds of executive orders and other moves targeting birthright citizenship,...

Tension over immigration raids reached a fever pitch with protests in Los Angeles, where Trump federalized the California National Guard against the wishes of Gov. Gavin Newsom – a move that experts warned was an unprecedented and dangerous escalation of presidential power. Crowds gather to listen to Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., during a No Kings protest, Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025, in Washington. Allison Robbert/AP hide caption

One of the biggest days of protest against the Trump administration's policies happened on Saturday in cities around the U.S. The overriding theme of the marches was the accusation that President Trump is behaving more like a monarch than an elected official. It marked the second massive wave of protests organized by No Kings — a network of progressive organizations fighting against Trump's agenda. Organizers said about 2,600 No Kings events were planned across nearly every state, and that it projected a bigger turnout than the 5 million it said attended its previous nationwide action in June. This aerial picture shows protesters forming a human banner during the "No Kings" national day of protest on Ocean Beach in San Francisco, Calif. on Oct.

18, 2025. Laure Andrillon/AFP via Getty Images hide caption Our editors will review what you’ve submitted and determine whether to revise the article. The “No Kings” protests were organized to protest the second presidency of U.S. Pres. Donald Trump, focusing on his allegedly fascist policies and statements about being a king.

They were among the largest protests in U.S. history. Five million demonstrators attended the first “No Kings” rallies on June 14, 2025, and almost seven million attended the second round of rallies on October 18, 2025. Americans are protesting against Pres. Donald Trump because of his administration’s crackdowns on immigration, his allegedly antidemocratic policies, and his prior statements about being a king. In the time between the first and second rounds of protest, U.S.

Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids intensified, leading more protesters to take to the streets. The protests were largely organized by such liberal organizations as MoveOn, the 50501 Movement, and Indivisible. The term “No Kings” was coined by 50501 Movement. Nonpartisan groups such as the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) also helped facilitate protests. The first round of protests in June took place across about 2,100 sites nationwide, with major cities such as Chicago, New York City, and Philadelphia seeing large-scale demonstrations. The October 2025 protests saw about 2,700 locations across the U.S.

Sizable protests also occurred in smaller cities and suburban locales. The No Kings Movement is a nationwide grassroots movement against authoritarian overreach and billionaire influence in the U.S. government. With Donald Trump’s policies threatening the balance of power, the movement mobilizes protests, advocacy, and direct action to demand a government that answers to We the People. June was just the beginning. The next wave of protests is here.

On October 18, we gather in cities nationwide to reclaim democracy, reject fascism, and remind Trump that power belongs to the people. Over 11 million protesters across the United States came together for No Kings Day. The No Kings Movement is a grassroots effort standing against authoritarian overreach and billionaire influence in government. It was formed in response to Donald Trump’s policies and Elon Musk’s unelected power, calling for democracy, accountability, and leadership that serves the people, not the elite. We will continue to organize nationwide demonstrations, push for policy changes that protect democratic institutions, and mobilize communities to take action. Stay updated through our website and social media to be part of what’s next.

On October 18, more than 7 million of us rose up at more than 2,700 events in all 50 states, DC, and cities worldwide to say: America has no kings, and the power belongs... Now, our task is to stay vigilant, stay united, and continue to push back. In June, millions of everyday Americans from every walk of life peacefully took to the streets and declared with one voice: No Kings. The world saw the power of the people, and President Trump’s attempt at a coronation collapsed under the strength of a movement rising against his abuses of power. Now, he’s doubling down — sending militarized agents into our communities, silencing voters, and handing billionaires giveaways while families struggle. This isn’t just politics.

It’s democracy versus dictatorship. And together, we’re choosing democracy.

People Also Search

The Nationwide Protests Are Playing Out As A Federal Government

The nationwide protests are playing out as a federal government shutdown lingers and troops are being deployed in cities. More than 2,600 protests against the Trump administration are scheduled to take place across the country on Saturday in a demonstration known as No Kings Day. Organizers are attempting to build on the momentum from their previous event on June 14, when around 2,000 rallies were...

The Number Of People Who Have Already Signed Up, Which

The number of people who have already signed up, which is not a requirement, is nearly double what it was in June, said Hunter Dunn, a spokesman for the coalition behind No Kings. The June 2025 No Kings protests, also known internationally as the No Dictators or No Tyrants protests, is a series of political demonstrations, largely in the United States, against what the organizers describe as... Ar...

In Countries With Constitutional Monarchies Such As Canada And The

In countries with constitutional monarchies such as Canada and the United Kingdom, the alternate "Dictators" or "Tyrants" titles were favored over "Kings" to avoid confusion with anti-monarchic movements; Hawaii did the same to avoid... The No Kings protests were organized by Indivisible and other progressive organizations[12] as part of a coalition of more than 200 groups, including 50501, the Th...

A Dream Toward Which We Have Dedicated Our Lives' And

A dream toward which we have dedicated our lives' and urge everyone to stand together in the face of this latest challenge to our fragile democracy.[17] The June 14 demonstrations built on previous nationwide "No Kings" protests, notably the nationwide "No Kings on Presidents' Day" event on February 17,[18][19] and others on April 19.[20] They also followed other protests of... Marine Corps.[1][5]...

For " No Kings " Demonstrations — What The President's

for " No Kings " demonstrations — what the president's Republican Party is calling "Hate America" rallies. Watch speakers at the 'No Kings' protest in Washington, D.C. in the video player above. They rallied with signs like "Nothing is more patriotic than protesting" or "Resist Fascism," and in many places it looked more like a street party. There were marching bands, a huge banner with the U.S. C...