‘No Kings’ Trump demonstrations draw huge numbers in US, Europe
On Saturday, substantial crowds gathered to protest the war in Iran and President Donald Trump’s actions during “No Kings” rallies held across the United States and Europe. Minnesota emerged as a focal point, as thousands gathered closely together to commemorate their defiance against Trump’s stringent immigration policies. Minnesota’s premier event on the Capitol lawn in St. Paul featured Bruce Springsteen as its headliner. He and other speakers commended the state’s residents for their courageous demonstrations during the winter in response to an increase in U.S. Customs and Immigration Enforcement agents. Springsteen delivered a poignant rendition of “Streets of Minneapolis,” the song he composed in reaction to the tragic shootings of Renee Good and Alex Pretti by federal agents. Springsteen expressed sorrow over the deaths of Good and Pretti, yet noted that the state’s resistance to ICE has inspired hope across the nation. “Your strength and your commitment told us that this was still America,” he said. “This reactionary nightmare, along with these invasions of American cities, will not be tolerated.” People rallied from New York City, home to nearly 8.5 million residents in a predominantly blue state, to Driggs, a small town with a population of fewer than 2,000 in eastern Idaho, a state that Trump won with 66 percent of the vote in 2024.
Large, yet predominantly tranquil, gatherings have been reported. US organisers estimate that the initial two rounds of No Kings rallies attracted over 5 million participants in June and 7 million in October. This week, they informed reporters that they anticipated 9 million participants on Saturday, although it was too soon to determine if those expectations were fulfilled. Organisers reported that over 3,100 events, an increase of 500 compared to October, were registered across all 50 states. Protests were largely peaceful; however, federal authorities resorted to deploying tear gas “due to demonstrators throwing large concrete blocks, bottles and other objects” in downtown Los Angeles, as reported by police on the social platform X. The LAPD reported that protesters were subsequently arrested for not dispersing. Earlier in Topeka, Kansas, a rally outside the Statehouse featured individuals impersonating a frog king and Trump as a baby. Wendy Wyatt drove with a “Cats Against Trump” sign from Lawrence, 20 miles to the east, and intended to return to her hometown for a subsequent rally there. Wyatt expressed, “there are so many things” about the Trump administration that upset her, yet she added, “this is very hopeful to me.” Republican officials express skepticism towards the protests. White House spokesperson Abigail Jackson described them as the result of “leftist funding networks” that garner minimal genuine public backing. Jackson stated, “The only people who care about these Trump Derangement Therapy Sessions are the reporters who are paid to cover them.”
The National Republican Congressional Committee expressed strong criticism. “These Hate America Rallies are where the far-left’s most violent, deranged fantasies get a microphone,” Maureen O’Toole said. Protesters have a comprehensive array of concerns. Trump’s immigration enforcement initiative, especially in Minnesota, was merely one aspect of a lengthy list of grievances that also encompassed the war in Iran and the reversal of transgender rights. At the Minnesota rally, speakers condemned the economic influence wielded by billionaires. In Washington, hundreds marched past the Lincoln Memorial and into the National Mall, carrying signs that proclaimed “Put down the crown, clown” and “Regime change begins at home.” Demonstrators rang bells, banged drums, and chanted, “No kings.” Bill Jarcho was present from Seattle, accompanied by six individuals clad in insect costumes adorned with tactical vests that read, “LICE,” a playful take on ICE, as part of what he referred to as a “mock and awe” tour. “What we provide is mockery to the king,” Jarcho stated. “The focus is on ridiculing authoritarianism, a tactic that they despise.” According to police, approximately 40,000 individuals participated in the march in San Diego.
In New York, Donna Lieberman, executive director of the New York Civil Liberties Union, stated at a conference that Trump and his supporters aim to instill fear in those who wish to protest. “They want us to be afraid that there’s nothing we can do to stop them,” she said. “But you know what?” They are mistaken – profoundly mistaken.” Organisers reported that two-thirds of the RSVPs for the rallies originated from areas beyond major urban centers. That encompassed communities in conservative-leaning states such as Idaho, Wyoming, Montana, Utah, South Dakota, and Louisiana, as well as electorally competitive suburbs in Pennsylvania, Georgia, and Arizona. The rally at the Minnesota Capitol has been designated by organizers as the national flagship event. Prior to Springsteen’s performance, organizers showcased a video featuring actor Robert DeNiro, who expressed that he wakes up every morning feeling depressed due to Trump, but found joy on Saturday as millions gathered to protest. He also congratulated the people of Minnesota for successfully driving ICE out of town. The bill also featured singer Joan Baez, actor Jane Fonda, Vermont U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders, along with a lengthy roster of activists, labor leaders, and elected officials.
Protesters displayed a large sign on the Capitol steps that stated, “We had whistles, they had guns. The revolution starts in Minneapolis.” Randi Weingarten Stated “Donald Trump may pretend that he’s not listening, but he can’t ignore the millions in the streets today.” Demonstrations were also planned in more than a dozen other countries, spanning Europe, Latin America, and Australia, as stated by Ezra Levin, a co-executive director of Indivisible, the group leading the events. In nations that uphold constitutional monarchies, individuals refer to the protests as “No Tyrants,” he stated. In Rome, thousands marched, their chants directed at Premier Giorgia Meloni, as her conservative government faced a significant setback this week with the failure of its referendum aimed at streamlining Italy’s judiciary. Protesters also waved banners denouncing Israeli and US attacks on Iran. In London, demonstrators displayed banners bearing slogans like “Stop the far right” and “Stand up to Racism.” In Paris, a gathering of several hundred individuals, predominantly Americans residing in France, convened at the Bastille, joined by labor unions and human rights organizations. “I protest all of Trump’s illegal, immoral, reckless, and feckless, endless wars,” organizer Ada Shen stated.
