Thousands of Americans took to the streets on Saturday in a wave of “No Kings” rallies nationwide, voicing opposition to President Donald Trump’s leadership and policies.
According to organizers, over 2,000 demonstrations were held across the country, spanning major cities from Los Angeles to Chicago. The widespread protests unfolded amid a prolonged government shutdown and reports of federal troop deployments in several states.
Rights Groups and Lawmakers Join the Movement
The rallies, spearheaded by the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) and other advocacy groups, drew broad support from lawmakers and public figures. Senator Bernie Sanders addressed protesters in Washington, D.C., declaring that the demonstrations were motivated by love for the nation, not disdain.
“Millions of Americans are out here today because we love America,” Sanders said. “We don’t want a king. We want to preserve our democracy and reject authoritarianism.”
Echoing that sentiment, Senator Chris Murphy described Trump as “the most corrupt president in U.S. history,” warning that the country was already in the midst of “an authoritarian takeover.” He urged Americans to remain vigilant, adding that democracy “is in peril, but it can be saved.”
Defending Democratic Values
ACLU’s Chief Political and Advocacy Officer, Deirdre Schifeling, encouraged participants to continue exercising their constitutional rights peacefully.
“The best way to protect freedom is to act free,” Schifeling told demonstrators. “Protesting the Trump administration’s abuses of power is not unpatriotic, it’s one of the most American things we can do.”
The rallies were not limited to U.S. soil. Similar demonstrations took place in several major European cities, where participants expressed solidarity with American protesters.
Political Backlash and Counterclaims
Meanwhile, House Speaker Mike Johnson criticized the “No Kings” rallies, dismissing them as gatherings of “far-left activists” promoting “anti-American sentiment.” Johnson labeled the events as the “‘Hate America Rally,’” a claim strongly rejected by organizers who maintained that the protests were peaceful and rooted in democratic principles.
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer also participated in a rally in New York City, marching alongside labor unions. “We have no dictators in America,” he said. “We won’t allow Trump to keep eroding our democracy.”
Organizers reiterated their commitment to nonviolence, emphasizing that the demonstrations were designed to defend democratic norms and the rule of law.
