Millions of demonstrators flooded the streets across the United States this weekend under the banner of the “No Kings” movement a coordinated wave of protests aimed squarely at President Donald Trump’s expanding executive power.
From New York to Los Angeles, crowds demanded accountability and accused the president of behaving like a “monarch,” as chants of “No kings in America!” echoed through more than 2,500 cities.
According to organizers with No Kings Media, roughly seven million Americans participated — nearly two million more than the last round of demonstrations held in June.
The events were billed as peaceful, grassroots gatherings, uniting activists, families, and former government officials in opposition to what they describe as Trump’s “authoritarian reach.”
In New York City, thousands filled the streets around Columbus Circle, waving American flags and holding handmade signs reading “Democracy, Not Dynasty” and “The People Rule, Not One Man.” Protesters told reporters they were marching to defend democratic institutions, the rule of law, and civil liberties they believe are under threat.
One demonstrator, a kindergarten teacher named Allison, pushed back on accusations that anti-Trump protesters were “anti-American.” “I see people being kind, loving each other, and wanting a better life for everyone,” she said. “We’re here for our students, our neighbors, and our country.”
In Los Angeles, MSNBC correspondent Jacob Soboroff described a “jubilant, electric” atmosphere in the city’s Civic Center, where tens of thousands gathered under banners calling for “freedom, not fear.” Protesters of all ages and backgrounds filled Grand Avenue, carrying balloons, banners, and even inflatable costumes, turning the rally into what Soboroff called “a celebration of democracy.”
Among those who joined the nationwide movement was attorney George Conway — a conservative legal activist and longtime critic of Trump — who appeared at the Washington, D.C. rally wearing a T-shirt that read “I Am Antifa.” The shirt, which quickly drew attention from conservative outlets, appeared to be a deliberate jab at Trump’s repeated attacks on anti-fascist groups.
Conway, who attended the protest with his corgi, Clyde, said the event was about “standing up to authoritarianism” and defending America’s democratic values. “What’s happening right now isn’t just Democrats,” Conway told MSNBC. “You had people in small towns, people in conservative states, getting out there because they see what’s going on — that America isn’t being run for Americans anymore.”
He argued that Trump’s critics were motivated by a deep sense of urgency, fearing that the “window to fight back” against what they see as creeping authoritarianism is narrowing. “If people weren’t getting together and doing this right now, we’d be in real trouble,” Conway said. “The fact that they are means that window is still open. People are realizing they’re not alone.”
The “No Kings” protests come as Trump faces scrutiny for a series of executive actions and enforcement measures targeting cities and institutions that have opposed his policies. Organizers said the rallies were not just about Trump himself, but about “reasserting the principle that no leader is above the law.”
Despite the size and scope of the movement, the demonstrations remained peaceful nationwide. Reporters on the ground in major cities described them as festive and optimistic, with music, speeches, and community groups joining together in what one attendee called “a show of love and unity against fear.”
Protesters in Los Angeles carried creative signs and costumes, some mocking Trump with slogans like “The Only Orange Monarch Is a Butterfly,” while others demanded accountability for recent government crackdowns. In D.C., crowds marched through downtown toward the National Mall, chanting “No kings, no tyrants, only the people.”
Conway, reflecting on the turnout, said the day was about more than politics. “This isn’t about one election or one man,” he said. “It’s about protecting the idea that power comes from the people. That’s what this country was built on.”
As dusk fell over Washington, organizers declared the event a “success of unity and resolve.” Whether it marks the beginning of a sustained movement or a momentary outpouring of frustration remains to be seen. But for millions of Americans who took to the streets, the message was unmistakable: in their view, America does not answer to kings.
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