University of Kwazulu-Natal

The Art At The Heart Of The Nationwide No Kings Protests

Bonisiwe Shabane
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the art at the heart of the nationwide no kings protests

SYRACUSE, NY — Protesters hold signs criticizing President Donald Trump’s administration. Along the skyline of Destiny USA, protesters’ signs read “No Kings” and “Their hands feed us,” referring to immigrants. LOS ANGELES, CA — Protesters shout “shame“ at the U.S. Marines lined in front of the Federal Building in downtown Los Angeles. Trump deployed the National Guard and Marines to LA last week, “protecting federal personnel and federal property,” which California Gov. Gavin Newsom denounced.

NEW YORK, NY — Thousands of New Yorkers took to Fifth Avenue during the nationwide “No Kings” protests yesterday. People from all backgrounds joined together to march 20 blocks, proclaiming their discontent with Trump. ALBANY, NY — “No Kings” protesters lined the streets of Albany Saturday afternoon clad with cardboard signs, flags and noise makers. The posters and signs created by protesters addressed Trump’s alleged wrongdoings, drawing on the U.S. Constitution and checks and balances. Reed Granger | Contributing Photographer

More than 2,000 protests were scheduled across all 50 states Saturday through the No Kings movement, which organizers say seeks to reject “authoritarianism, billionaire-first politics, and the militarization of our democracy.” The mobilization was a direct response to a military parade rolling through Washington, DC, on Saturday that celebrated the 250th anniversary of the US Army. It also coincided with President Donald Trump’s 79th birthday. Saturday's rallies have been amplified by a week of protests against ICE raids in Los Angeles and other major cities. Following the Hands Off! and 50501 protests this spring, Saturday’s demonstrations weren't the first nationwide rejection of Trump’s policies.

But organizers said they would be the largest. Millions of Americans were expected to take part. 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. From bustling urban hubs to quiet rural communities, a surge of demonstrations under the banner of the “No Kings” movement has captured the nation’s attention. These gatherings symbolize a unified call for democratic integrity and equitable leadership. Protesters brandished signs with striking slogans and chanted in harmony, embodying a collective refusal to accept authoritarian governance.

Images reveal a rich tapestry of participants—from young activists adorned with creative face masks to steadfast seniors—each contributing to the movement’s vibrant energy. Photojournalists and citizen reporters alike have documented the widespread demographic support fueling this movement, underscoring a national demand for openness and the dismantling of entrenched hierarchies. The sheer scale and persistence of these protests mark a transformative chapter in the country’s political narrative, where imagery itself galvanizes ongoing dialogue and intergenerational engagement. Beyond the striking visuals, the voices of individual protesters reveal the heartfelt reasons propelling this movement forward. Participants from varied walks of life have shared their stories, united by a shared aspiration to confront systemic inequities and advocate for meaningful reform. Many express frustration with political elitism, while others emphasize pressing social justice concerns that have mobilized younger demographics.

These candid testimonials highlight a movement fueled not only by political convictions but also by a deep yearning to reclaim community agency and envision a more just future. The widespread demonstrations have sparked a noticeable transformation in public attitudes, prompting citizens and lawmakers alike to reconsider entrenched viewpoints. Recent surveys conducted post-protests indicate a marked increase in public support for the movement’s key demands. Impressively, 78% of respondents now advocate for enhanced transparency and accountability within governmental bodies. Activists attribute this shift largely to the persistent visibility of the protests, amplified by compelling photographic storytelling. In response, several local and regional authorities have begun implementing reforms aligned with protester demands, including:

The No Kings protests are a series of organized national protests in cities, towns and municipalities across the United States. Beginning on June 14, 2025, millions of individuals peacefully expressed their right to assemble and free speech, responding to a myriad of dire social, cultural, economic and environmental issues. The second set of organized marches is happening today on October 18, 2025. The overall event(s) has been given the moniker, “No Kings Day.” The No Kings Day protests are spurred on by the growing authoritarian, oligarchical and anti-democratic policies and actions of the Donald Trump administration. The name comes from Trump’s declaration of himself as a “king” in a social media post with an AI generated image wearing a crown.

Aesthetics and protests are inextricably linked. The choreography of people moving in tandem, singing, chanting and peacefully empowering one another to fight injustice, is in and of itself a form of performance. Protests are also replete with artfully rendered graphics, images and accessories; such as signs, costumes and sculptural effigies and puppetry. Contemporary artists including Mark Dion, have contributed graphics in support of No Kings Day, applying motifs from their oeuvre that communicate the democratic right to assemble for social, cultural and environmental justice. For its informational graphics and publicity material, the No Kings protests have appropriated a very symbolic motif from the cannon of contemporary art history, which is the three point crown featured notably in paintings... Demonstrators gathered in parks and plazas across the U.S.

to protest against President Donald Trump. The “No Kings” rallies were organized in nearly 2,000 locations nationwide, including cities, towns, and community spaces. These protests followed recent unrest over federal immigration raids and Trump’s deployment of the National Guard and Marines to Los Angeles, where tensions escalated with protesters blocking a freeway and setting vehicles on fire. Arndrea Waters King, third from left, and Martin Luther King III, fourth from left, march in the “No Kings” protest, Saturday, June 14, 2025, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Yuki Iwamura) EDS NOTE: OBSCENITY - Tear gas surrounds law enforcement officers on horseback during a protest Saturday, June 14, 2025, in Los Angeles.

(AP Photo/Ethan Swope) It was the sound of hundreds singing “Do You Hear the People Sing?” from Les Misérables. It was Hamilton lyrics shouted into the air like declarations. It was soldiers stepping out of rhythm with each other — a choreographed disruption of unity. It was signs, music, silence, and joy. No Kings Day — a protest reclaiming and defending true democracy, spotlighting the incomplete promises of freedom in a nation still ruled by inequality.

And more than a political statement, it was a performance. Because at No Kings Day 2025, protest didn’t just march — it sang, it danced, it created. And in doing so, it reminded us that art is not a luxury in movements — it’s a necessity. In today's political climate, it often feels hard to say that one loves the United States; but I always have. Never the people who run it, never the laws and regulations made by and for those on top. But the dream, the absolutely cracked dream that a bunch of 20 year olds had in the 1700s and the drive for justice, for representation, for freedom — democracy.

I love America, adore her, and it pains me to watch people pervert who she really is. On June 14, 2025, millions gathered across the United States and around the world for the largest single-day political protest in American history. The No Kings in America demonstrations, captured in this striking photo essay, responded to President Donald Trump's perceived authoritarianism and the display of military power during the U.S. Army’s 250th anniversary parade—held pointedly on Trump’s 79th birthday. From small towns to major cities, and from D.C. to around the world, demonstrators marched under the banner of “No Kings,” rejecting billionaire-first politics, militarized democracy, and executive overreach.

Organized in part by the grassroots 50501 Movement, the protests united a diverse coalition around a shared demand: no return to monarchy in spirit or practice. Though most events remained peaceful, clashes—including a deadly shooting in Salt Lake City—underscored the tension of the moment. These photographs document the courage, grief, creativity, and clarity of a public unwilling to be ruled. North Meridian Press will continue to publish submissions for this series on a rolling basis. St. Louis, Missouri, Brandie Rivera, 2025.

St. Louis, Missouri, Brandie Rivera, 2025. St. Louis, Missouri, Brandie Rivera, 2025.

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