A Nationwide Cry for Democracy
On Saturday, millions marched across the United States under the banner “No Kings.” From New York to Los Angeles, demonstrators gathered in over 2,100 locations. Despite the rain in New York, huge crowds chanted and marched down Fifth Avenue. The slogan “Hey hey, ho ho, Donald Trump has got to go!” echoed through the streets.
The protests were peaceful in most places, though tensions rose in cities like Los Angeles and Portland. There, some gatherings were declared unlawful and met with teargas.
A Coordinated Rejection of Authoritarianism
More than 100 organizations joined forces to organize the « No Kings » protest. Their message was clear: no president should hold unchecked power. The protests directly targeted recent Trump administration actions, especially policies affecting immigrants, LGBTQIA+ rights, and diversity efforts.
Organizers picked June 14 — Trump’s 79th birthday — as a symbolic date. On the same day, the president attended a rare military parade in Washington, held to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the U.S. Army. Protesters saw the event as a display of power meant to silence dissent.
According to the No Kings coalition, “Real power doesn’t come from tanks and parades. It rises from the people, in every city, town, and community.”
Los Angeles Becomes a Flashpoint
In Los Angeles, protests gained momentum after news broke of increased immigration raids. ICE officers targeted Latino neighborhoods, including Westlake and Paramount. On Friday alone, 121 undocumented immigrants were arrested in the LA area.
For more information on the raids: NEWSOM VS. TRUMP OVER LA PROTESTS: A 2028 RACE PREVIEW?
Demonstrators responded quickly. They rallied outside city hall waving U.S. flags, a deliberate response to claims that the protests were “un-American.” Later, tensions flared near a federal building as protesters clashed with National Guard troops and chanted “Leave LA!”
This military presence marked a turning point. Trump’s decision to deploy Marines and National Guard units reminded many of the civil rights era — a moment protesters say should never repeat.
Voices From the Streets
Victor, a 56-year-old chef from Argentina, joined the protest in New York. He held a hand-painted sign showing Trump as a pig with the word “Oink.” For him, the fight is personal. “Other people have the right to work hard and make a life for themselves,” he said. “This country was built by immigrants.”
In Washington D.C., about 300 people marched to the White House with Refuse Fascism. Army veteran Chris Yeazel was among them. “This is the nation’s capital,” he said. “This is exactly where we need to protest.”
A Movement That Crosses Borders
Protests also erupted in Texas, where Governor Greg Abbott deployed the National Guard to San Antonio. Demonstrators clashed with police in Austin and Dallas. In San Francisco, over 150 were arrested after a protest near an ICE office turned violent. Thousands more took to the streets in Atlanta, Chicago, Philadelphia, and Washington D.C.
Interest in the protests surged following Trump’s immigration crackdown and aggressive rhetoric. He warned that protesters could be met with “very big force,” though the White House later softened the statement.
When asked about the “No Kings” movement, Trump said, “I don’t feel like a king. I have to go through hell to get things approved.”
The “No Kings” protests mark a defining moment in Trump’s second term. What began as opposition to immigration raids and a military parade has become a broader movement against authoritarianism. From immigrant workers to military veterans, Americans are uniting to say: power belongs to the people — not to one man.
