Millions Join ‘No Kings’ Protests Nationwide to Oppose Trump, Military Crackdown, and Threats to Democracy
- Victor Nwoko
- Jun 14
- 3 min read
Massive crowds flooded city streets, public parks, and state capitols across the United States on Saturday in coordinated “No Kings” demonstrations opposing President Donald Trump’s policies, his use of military force on U.S. soil, and growing concerns over authoritarian governance. Organizers claimed millions participated in rallies at hundreds of locations, from major metropolitan centers to rural towns.
The protests were marked by passionate chants, waving banners, and calls to protect democracy and immigrant rights. In several cities, demonstrators danced, drummed, and marched shoulder-to-shoulder behind “No Kings” signs and slogans.
In Los Angeles, the epicenter of ongoing protests against federal immigration raids, law enforcement used tear gas and crowd-control weapons to disperse protesters who remained after the formal rally ended. Earlier, thousands had gathered outside City Hall, many waving signs, playing music, and engaging peacefully with stationed National Guard and Marine troops deployed by Trump in response to last week’s civil unrest.
Elsewhere in California, protesters marched past the downtown federal detention center, guarded by Marines in combat gear—marking the first time active-duty troops had appeared at a protest since their deployment Friday to protect federal property. The mood shifted late in the day when police on horseback moved into the crowd and used batons to clear demonstrators from the streets.
In Philadelphia, thousands rallied downtown waving American flags and anti-authoritarian signs. Notable attendees included Martin Luther King III, who said the event was about “lifting up community.” A float-sized caricature puppet of Trump seated on a golden toilet and wearing a crown drew cheers from the crowd, while others joined in sing-alongs that mocked the president.
Similar scenes played out in New York, Denver, Chicago, Austin, and Atlanta. In New York City, protesters packed Fifth Avenue, handing out flags and holding signs denouncing Trump’s immigration policies and advocating for Palestinian rights and free speech. Protesters in suffragette white handed out over 250 flags, symbolizing ongoing struggles for democratic freedoms.
In Atlanta, 5,000 people filled the designated protest area with thousands more standing beyond the barriers. In Culpeper, Virginia, a 21-year-old driver intentionally accelerated into a crowd as the rally was ending, striking one person. The driver was arrested and charged with reckless driving.
In Minnesota, protests were clouded by tragedy after two Democratic lawmakers were shot, one fatally, in what officials called a politically motivated attack. Governor Tim Walz urged residents to avoid public gatherings, and some events were canceled. However, tens of thousands still joined marches in Duluth, Rochester, and St. Paul, where a planned appearance by the governor was canceled for security reasons. The suspect in the shooting was found with “No Kings” flyers and writings that named elected officials.
In Charlotte, North Carolina, protesters marched through the city chanting, “No kings. No crowns. We will not bow down.” Bystanders clapped and joined the crowd, led by a group carrying a massive Mexican flag. Many demonstrators said the protests were an urgent stand against deportations and the increasing militarization of domestic law enforcement.
Austin, Texas, saw the Texas Capitol briefly shut down after a credible threat was made against Democratic lawmakers. The rally resumed after a suspect was detained, with no further threat reported.
In Mississippi, hundreds gathered at the state Capitol in Jackson, where music blared, signs criticized militarism, and speakers emphasized the need to defend democratic values. Protesters donned tinfoil crowns and held banners referencing government overreach, with some chanting messages against authoritarianism.
President Trump, meanwhile, remained in Washington, D.C., where he presided over a military parade for the Army’s 250th anniversary. Nearby, a few hundred demonstrators gathered at Logan Circle to chant “Trump must go now,” voicing dissent in proximity to the president’s display of military power.
In a statement following the widespread demonstrations, the No Kings Coalition declared, “Today, across red states and blue, rural towns and major cities, Americans stood in peaceful unity and made it clear: we don't do kings.”
Comentarios