The ‘No to Kings’ Movement Peaks Across 50 States in America
On Saturday, over 2,500 cities across America witnessed widespread protests under the banner “No to Kings.” This movement, which brought millions of Americans to the streets, was a response to Donald Trump’s policies and the federal government shutdown.
On Saturday, October 18, millions of Americans took to the streets in more than 2,500 cities across all 50 states to express their opposition to Donald Trump’s policies and the current state of the nation. The protests, held under the slogan “No to Kings,” occurred particularly as the federal government remains shut down and military and immigration agents carry out operations in various cities.
More than 200 civil and social organizations participated in these demonstrations, with major cities such as Washington, San Francisco, New York, and Chicago serving as key locations for gatherings. Estimates indicate that the number of events on this day was 450 more than a similar protest held in June, which saw approximately 5 million people across the U.S. take to the streets against the Trump administration. Analysts believe this movement could be recognized as one of the largest protest movements in American history.
Republicans have strongly criticized the nationwide protests, claiming that the current issues stem from the actions of Democrats. John Thune, the Republican Senate leader, attributed the delay in resolving budgetary issues to Democrats’ attempts to appease the far-left. Mike Johnson, the Speaker of the House, labeled the protests as “anti-American,” asserting that extremist groups would participate without providing evidence.
The organizers of these protests, including groups like the American Civil Liberties Union, stated in a press release that their goal is to demonstrate that “America has no king and that power belongs to the people.” Participants wore yellow clothing, a symbol of historical protest movements in America, and carried national flags to convey patriotic and democratic messages.
The Trump administration has reacted by deploying police and National Guard forces to cities to control the demonstrations. Additionally, the resignation of Doug Krugman, a Navy Colonel with 24 years of service, due to concerns over Trump’s approach to the Constitution, has drawn attention. In an article for The Washington Post, he emphasized that military oaths are to the Constitution, not to the President.
