‘No Kings’ protesters rally in cities, towns across the country
“No Kings” protests swept across the nation on Saturday, with demonstrators taking to the streets in over 3,000 cities and towns to voice their opposition to President Donald Trump and his policies. Organizers of the protests, which have been ongoing since October, claimed that this latest demonstration could be the largest yet, aiming to highlight what they see as the continuous chaos of the Trump administration.
The National No Kings Coalition, comprised of groups like the ACLU, National Action Network, and the United Federation of Teachers, spearheaded the protests. From condemning the use of federal troops for immigration enforcement to mourning the deaths of Renee Good and Alex Pretti at the hands of federal law enforcement in Minneapolis, to denouncing Trump’s aggressive stance towards Iran, protesters raised their voices against a range of issues.
Leah Greenberg, co-director of Indivisible, one of the coalition’s groups, emphasized the importance of ongoing activism beyond the rallies. She urged participants to engage in activities like ICE watch, supporting immigrant communities, advocating against the war with Iran, and voter registration to build local power.
Marchers across the country carried homemade signs, sang songs, and chanted slogans denouncing Trump’s policies. The protests were peaceful, with no reports of violence or disturbances at any of the rallies. The demonstrations saw a diverse group of participants, including celebrities like actor Robert de Niro in New York City.
In Minneapolis, where massive protests had erupted earlier following the deaths of Good and Pretti, Senator Bernie Sanders and musician Bruce Springsteen were scheduled to speak at the event. Activists and speakers in Minnesota emphasized the importance of peaceful protest and community engagement.
The protests weren’t confined to U.S. cities, as demonstrators in Rome and London also took to the streets in solidarity. While the White House and its allies refrained from commenting on the weekend’s events, Trump had previously dismissed the protests as “hate America” rallies.
In response to the protests, Trump shared a controversial video on social media depicting him piloting a fighter jet and appearing to dump excrement on protesters. House Speaker Mike Johnson defended Trump, describing the video as satire and emphasizing the president’s effective use of social media.
The “No Kings” protests serve as a reminder of the power of grassroots activism and the diverse voices speaking out against the current administration. Participants expressed their commitment to ongoing advocacy and engagement to effect change at the local and national levels.
