Millions of Americans took to the streets on Saturday in coordinated “No Kings” protests, denouncing what organizers described as the authoritarian tendencies and corruption of President Donald Trump.

With more than 2,600 demonstrations reported nationwide, the events marked one of the largest organized protest movements in recent US history.

Participants of all ages filled city streets, suburbs, and small towns, often in a festive atmosphere. Inflatable caricatures of Trump, creative costumes, and carnival-like setups accompanied the marches, as families with children and pets joined in chanting slogans like “No Kings Since 1776” and “Democracy, Not Dictatorship.”

“There is nothing more American than saying, ‘We don’t have kings,’ and exercising our right to peacefully protest,” said Leah Greenberg, co-founder of the progressive group Indivisible, one of the main organizers of the nationwide movement.

Major cities saw substantial turnouts. In New York City, police confirmed over 100,000 people gathered across Times Square and other boroughs without any arrests. Boston, Philadelphia, Atlanta, Denver, Chicago, and Seattle also hosted significant rallies, while Los Angeles held more than a dozen demonstrations. San Diego reported over 25,000 participants marching peacefully.

The protests reflected growing frustration among Americans, particularly progressives, over Trump’s consolidation of power, including his handling of criminal cases targeting political opponents, the deployment of National Guard troops in major cities, and concerns about press freedom, judicial independence, and appointments of loyalists to key government posts.

In Washington, D.C., demonstrators filled streets leading to the Capitol, waving flags, holding balloons, and maintaining a largely celebratory atmosphere.

Political Reactions and Rising Tensions

President Trump downplayed the demonstrations, stating in an interview with Fox Business that “they’re referring to me as a king, I’m not a king.” In contrast, prominent Democrats, including Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, expressed solidarity, praising the protests as a defense of democratic norms.

Republican leaders condemned the rallies, with House Speaker Mike Johnson labeling the events a “hate America rally” and accusing organizers of fostering division. Some GOP officials warned that the demonstrations could incite political violence, citing the September assassination of right-wing activist Charlie Kirk as a point of concern.

Vice President JD Vance, speaking to Marines at Camp Pendleton, avoided referencing the protests directly but criticized Democrats over the ongoing government shutdown.

Political scientist Dana Fisher of American University estimated that over three million people participated nationwide. “This is a movement signaling that large portions of the public are deeply uncomfortable with the erosion of democratic norms,” Fisher said.

A Message Against Authoritarianism

Trump has intensified efforts to expand federal authority in recent months, deploying federal agents to multiple US cities and proposing measures to criminalize what he calls “left-wing extremism.” City leaders have filed lawsuits challenging the federal interventions, accusing the administration of militarizing local policing and suppressing dissent.

“The president wants us to be scared, but we will not be bullied into fear and silence,” said Lisa Gilbert, co-president of the advocacy group Public Citizen, a leading organizer. “It’s incredibly important for people to remain peaceful, to stand proud, and to say what they care about.”

The No Kings coalition, representing over 200 organizations, emphasized nonviolent demonstrations, providing extensive safety and de-escalation training for participants. Tens of thousands of volunteers reportedly completed legal observer training in preparation for the mass rallies.

Prominent lawmakers, including Senators Chuck Schumer, Chris Murphy, and Bernie Sanders, were expected to participate. Sanders stated on Friday, “The American people are standing up to say enough — no one is above the law, not even Donald Trump.”

The rallies underscore widespread concern over the state of democracy in the United States, highlighting a surge in civic engagement and grassroots activism aimed at defending democratic principles against perceived authoritarian encroachment. (ILKHA)