No Kings Protests Mobilize Millions in Global Show of Resistance

Mass demonstrations against the Trump administration erupted in numerous U.S. cities, marking the third edition of the No Kings rally series. Organizers reported that over 8 million participants joined the event to challenge policies linked to President Donald Trump, including his stance on the Iran conflict, immigration practices, and economic pressures. “Trump aims to rule as a tyrant, but this is America—where power belongs to the people, not to aspiring monarchs or their wealthy allies,” they asserted.

Protesters Across the Nation and Abroad

Actions unfolded in nearly every major city, with smaller towns and international locations like Paris and London also seeing significant turnout. In Washington, DC, crowds filled downtown streets, marching past landmarks such as the Lincoln Memorial and National Mall. The event featured symbolic displays of Trump, Vice President JD Vance, and other officials, with protesters demanding their removal from power.

“Trump wants to rule over us as a tyrant. But this is America, and power belongs to the people – not to wannabe kings or their billionaire cronies,” organisers said.

White House representatives labeled the protests as “Trump Derangement Therapy Sessions,” claiming the only active participants were reporters paid to report on them. The BBC noted that attendance figures remain unverified, though prior events had similarly drawn millions. In Minnesota, a central rally followed the January deaths of two citizens, Renee Nicole Good and Alex Pretti, by federal immigration agents. Their tragedy ignited nationwide outrage over Trump’s immigration strategies.

High-Profile Support and Unrest

Thousands gathered in New York City’s Times Square, where traffic was halted to accommodate the massive crowd. Bruce Springsteen performed an anti-immigration song, “Streets of Minneapolis,” outside the State Capitol in St. Paul, joining other prominent Democrats. Robert De Niro, who attended the New York protest, told the BBC’s Tom Brook that participating was essential. “More people are realizing Trump’s actions are escalating daily,” De Niro said. “Now we’re in a war. The next step is troops on the ground. He’s unpredictable.”

“I think more people are starting to see that with this guy, it gets worse and worse and worse every day,” De Niro said of Trump. “Now we’re in a war. The next thing is, what he’ll do is put troops on the ground. He’s crazy.”

Trump had previously mocked De Niro on Truth Social, calling him “a sick and demented person” with “an extremely low IQ.” The actor responded by calling Trump’s remarks “seriously criminal,” accusing him of lacking awareness. During the October rally, the NYPD estimated over 100,000 attendees across New York’s boroughs. However, clashes occurred in Los Angeles, where two individuals assaulted federal officers. DHS reported that protesters hurled cement blocks at agents during a standoff at the Roybal Federal Building, leading to arrests.

Other incidents included multiple arrests in Los Angeles after protesters ignored dispersal orders near a federal prison. In Dallas, minor scuffles broke out as counter-protesters disrupted the march. Expatriates in cities like Paris, London, and Lisbon also participated, underscoring the global reach of the movement. Saturday’s turnout surpassed the October rally, highlighting the growing momentum of the protests.