Millions of Americans took to the streets on Saturday in a powerful show of dissent against President Donald Trump, as more than 2,000 protests unfolded nationwide under the slogan “No Kings.” The protests, spanning communities large and small, emphasized the defense of American democracy amid growing concerns over Trump’s political re-emergence and hardline policies.
Demonstrations began early on the East Coast, from New York to Philadelphia, and continued westward throughout the day, with large turnouts reported in cities like Chicago, Houston, and particularly Los Angeles—the symbolic epicenter of outrage over the Trump administration’s past immigration crackdown, reports AP.
Though tensions were high, most gatherings remained peaceful, with few reports of unrest. Protesters carried American flags, recited the Pledge of Allegiance, and waved signs quoting the nation’s founding fathers, casting their activism in patriotic terms.
Key grievances voiced by demonstrators included the administration’s aggressive immigration policies, past use of domestic military force, sweeping federal budget cuts, and Trump’s controversial plans for a military parade in Washington—set to coincide with his 79th birthday.
“We’re here to remind the country that we are a democracy, not a monarchy,” said Carla James, a protester in Atlanta. “No one person, no matter how powerful, is above the Constitution.”
While East Coast events began winding down by late afternoon, West Coast protests were just gaining momentum. Thousands gathered in Los Angeles, where organizers promised an all-night vigil and march through downtown.
Saturday’s protests mark one of the largest coordinated political mobilizations in recent U.S. history, underscoring the depth of division in the nation’s political landscape and the strength of grassroots opposition to Trump’s political platform.