Over 7 Million of Americans participated in widespread “No Kings” protests across the nation on Saturday, October 18, 2025, voicing strong opposition to President Donald Trump’s policies and perceived authoritarian tendencies. The demonstrations, which spanned over 2,700 rallies in cities, towns, and suburbs, marked one of the largest single days of protest in U.S. history, rivaling or even surpassing the turnout of previous major demonstrations.
The “No Kings” movement, which also held significant protests in June 2025, aims to express growing unease among a broad spectrum of Americans regarding the direction of the country under Trump’s leadership. Protesters denounced what they view as unbridled corruption, authoritarianism, and the erosion of democratic norms. Demonstrations were largely peaceful, with many featuring a festive atmosphere, including marching bands, costumes, and the creation of human banners.
In response to the anticipated large-scale protests, Republican governors in several states placed National Guard troops on standby, with some activating their state’s forces. President Trump, in a pre-protest interview, stated, “I’m not a king,” dismissing the protesters’ message. However, a Trump campaign social media account later posted a video depicting the president as a monarch. The Republican Party, including House Speaker Mike Johnson, characterized the “No Kings” protests as “hate America” rallies.
Major cities across the U.S. saw massive turnouts. In New York City, over 100,000 people marched peacefully across all five boroughs, with the NYPD reporting zero protest-related arrests. San Francisco’s downtown march surpassed its June attendance, with participants recreating the “No Kings” sign on Ocean Beach. Atlanta, Georgia, drew an estimated 10,000 people, including notable political figures. Other cities such as Chicago, Boston, Philadelphia, Denver, and Seattle also experienced large gatherings.
The “No Kings” protests were organized by a coalition of approximately 200 grassroots organizations, including Indivisible, the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), and the American Federation of Teachers. The ACLU provided legal training to tens of thousands of marshals to ensure the protests remained peaceful and de-escalated potential conflicts. Organizers had anticipated millions of participants, and preliminary reports suggest these expectations were met, with some estimates placing the total number of protesters at over five million nationwide.
By Staff Write – Myles Wingate
