By_Suraj Karowa/ ANW
In a powerful display of dissent, tens of thousands of Americans flooded the streets of major cities like New York, Washington DC, Chicago, Miami, and Los Angeles on Saturday to protest President Donald Trump’s policies during the “No Kings” rallies. The demonstrations, marked by peaceful gatherings and vibrant displays of resistance, underscored widespread concerns about Trump’s expansion of presidential power and perceived threats to democratic principles.
In New York City’s Times Square, over 20,000 protesters marched down 7th Avenue, with the New York Police Department estimating a total of 100,000 participants across the city’s five boroughs. The iconic Donald Trump “baby blimp” floated above the Los Angeles rally, a recurring symbol of anti-Trump sentiment.
Protesters wielded signs reading “Democracy not Monarchy” and “The Constitution is not optional,” accompanied by chants of “this is what democracy looks like” amid drumbeats and noisemakers. No protest-related arrests were reported, aligning with the No Kings movement’s commitment to non-violence, as stated on their website.
Trump’s allies preemptively labeled the protests as “hate America rallies” linked to the far-left Antifa movement, a claim organizers and participants rejected, emphasizing the events’ peaceful nature. In New York, Beth Zasloff, a freelance writer, expressed distress over what she described as a “move toward fascism and authoritarian government” under Trump’s administration. Massimo Mascoli, a 68-year-old retiree who grew up in Italy, drew parallels between Trump’s policies and the fascism his uncle resisted under Mussolini, citing concerns over immigration crackdowns and healthcare cuts.
Since his return to the White House in January 2025, Trump has issued executive orders to dismantle parts of the federal government and deploy National Guard troops to cities, often overriding state governors’ objections. He has also called for prosecuting political adversaries, actions critics argue are unconstitutional. Trump defends these moves as necessary to address a “country in crisis,” dismissing accusations of authoritarianism as exaggerated. However, protesters like Mascoli voiced distrust in the government, Congress, and the Supreme Court, feeling they no longer serve the American people.
In Washington DC, Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders addressed thousands, declaring, “We’re here because we love America.” Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer joined the New York rally, holding a sign urging action on the healthcare crisis and stating on X, “We have no dictators in America.” Protests extended beyond the US, with solidarity demonstrations in Berlin, Madrid, Rome, London, and Toronto, where signs like “Hands off Canada” were prominent.
Republican governors, including Texas’ Greg Abbott and Virginia’s Glenn Youngkin, activated National Guard units in anticipation of unrest, with Abbott citing concerns over “Antifa-linked” protests. Democrats, including Texas’ Gene Wu, condemned these moves as authoritarian. In Washington DC, where the National Guard has been deployed since August at Trump’s request, no troops were visible during the protests, though local police were present.
A Reuters/Ipsos poll revealed Trump’s approval rating at 40%, with 58% disapproving, roughly consistent with his first term’s average but lower than his 47% approval upon taking office in January 2025. The protests reflect deep national divisions, with some attendees, like 76-year-old Chuck Epes in DC, embracing the “Antifa” label as a stand for progressive values like healthcare and immigrant rights.
The “No Kings” movement, fueled by fears of eroding democratic norms, has galvanized a broad coalition of Americans and international supporters, signaling robust opposition to Trump’s agenda as his second term unfolds.