On Saturday, millions of people across the United States are expected to participate in protests against the Trump administration, dubbed “No Kings.” This nationwide demonstration will take place at approximately 2,000 sites, coinciding with the president’s military parade and birthday celebrations. The interest in these events has surged following Trump’s decision to deploy National Guard and U.S. Marine Corps troops to Los Angeles, aimed at suppressing mostly peaceful protests against intensified deportation efforts.
Ezra Levin, co-founder of Indivisible, one of the leading organizations behind the “No Kings” initiative, noted a significant uptick in engagement. “We’ve seen hundreds of new events on the No Kings Day map since the weekend,” Levin stated. “Hundreds of thousands of people have registered for these events.” The protest website highlights various grievances, including Trump’s disregard for court rulings, mass deportations, attacks on civil rights, and cuts to essential services. The message is clear: “The corruption has gone too far. No thrones. No crowns. No kings.”
Interestingly, the “No Kings” protest will not host any events in Washington D.C. This decision aims to shift attention away from the military parade and emphasize grassroots opposition throughout the nation. Philadelphia will serve as the site for the flagship march, while a local organization in D.C. plans to host a “DC Joy Day,” celebrating community, culture, and connectivity. Levin explained, “We did not want to give him the excuse to crack down on counter-protesters in D.C.” He added that the objective is to make Trump appear “small and weak” by showcasing opposition in other parts of the country.
In early April, protests labeled “Hands Off” attracted millions to over 1,300 locations, and Levin anticipates that “No Kings” will draw even larger crowds. This expectation persists despite Trump’s threats to respond with “very big force” to protesters, a stance that the White House has since attempted to soften. In a recent press conference, Trump accused protestors of “hating our country” but later claimed he was unaware of any planned demonstrations against the military parade. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt later affirmed that Trump “supports peaceful protests.”
Given heightened security concerns following the president’s actions in Los Angeles, organizers are expanding their capacity for pre-protest training. A “know your rights” call, led by the American Civil Liberties Union, attracted more than 18,000 participants. Discussions included concerns for individuals with legal immigrant status or those under the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program, how to respond in the event of violence, and strategies for dealing with potential agitators. Organizers have urged participants to develop personal safety plans for the protest, advising against a one-size-fits-all approach like sitting down in the face of violence.
Protests in Los Angeles continue as troops remain deployed, with local organizers focusing on combating the federal government's immigration enforcement actions. Hunter Dunn, the national press coordinator for the decentralized protest movement 50501, shared his experiences of being teargassed at a previous protest and emphasized the importance of community solidarity. “If someone’s legal status is at risk, I would not want them to risk it for a protest,” Dunn advised. “But if an entire community rises up together in solidarity, there’s not a government in the world that could crush that. We’re safer together.”
In Minnesota, Heather Friedli is coordinating a rally and march at the state capitol in St. Paul, drawing on community connections strengthened by past protests, particularly those following the murder of George Floyd in 2020. “I think our people are actually ready. The events of the past have forged stronger community ties,” Friedli remarked.
As the nation approaches the “No Kings” protests, many Americans feel that the country is at a critical juncture due to Trump’s militarized response to dissent. Levin posits that this moment could serve as a major catalyst for mobilizing opposition to the Trump administration, stating that “we’re building a muscle” for future activism. While the protests on Saturday may not immediately change the political landscape, they represent a significant step in a long-term strategy to protect American democracy.
