Millions of Americans filled streets and town squares on Saturday in a sweeping wave of “No Kings” demonstrations opposing what organizers called rising authoritarianism under President Donald Trump.
More than 2,700 rallies took place in every state, drawing an estimated seven million participants in what observers said could be the largest protest in modern U.S. history. Crowds were reported from New York and Los Angeles to Birmingham, Alabama, and Billings, Montana. Despite concerns of confrontation, the demonstrations remained overwhelmingly peaceful, marked by music, signs, and calls for unity rather than unrest.
The rallies, organized by Indivisible, MoveOn, the ACLU, and allied groups, aimed to highlight opposition to Trump’s expanded use of executive power during his second term—including mass deportations, deployment of the National Guard in Democratic cities, and new limits on left-leaning organizations.
In Washington, D.C., Senator Bernie Sanders and former presidential candidates Kamala Harris and Hillary Clinton were among the political figures urging nonviolent participation. Bill Nye, the science educator, spoke about threats to scientific integrity under Trump’s administration, while Sanders denounced corporate greed and warned against democratic backsliding.
Local organizers reported swelling turnouts since the first “No Kings” protests in June. “This moment shows that people will stand up for democracy,” said Leah Greenberg, Indivisible’s co-founder, noting that participants were trained in de-escalation to ensure peaceful action.
Authorities in several states had braced for unrest. Texas Governor Greg Abbott activated the National Guard, citing “potential threats,” though no major incidents were reported nationwide. In cities such as Silver Spring, Maryland, and Portland, Oregon, protesters carried signs reading “Power to the People” and “No Kings, No Dictators.”
Trump made only brief remarks before leaving for his Mar-a-Lago estate, telling reporters, “I’m not a king.” Meanwhile, global solidarity events took place in cities including Paris, Berlin, and Amsterdam.
The day concluded quietly across the country, with participants dispersing peacefully after sunset.
Source: CBS News