On a damp Saturday, June 14, approximately 100 demonstrators assembled for the No Kings Protests, unveiling their discontent towards the policies of Trump’s administration. The town of Warren has witnessed such sights before, with consistent weekend rallies taking place over the course of several weeks. In the neighboring town of Fredonia, N.Y., over 100 participants were seen bearing signs at a similar No Kings assembly on the same Saturday morning. Meanwhile, Jamestown, N.Y., saw an estimated crowd of 500 attending its own local No Kings gathering.
Many demonstrators attending the No Kings events expressed concerns about the enactment of executive orders by President Trump, as they believe he is side-stepping legislative processes to exercise unchecked authority. They also denounced the Department of Government efficiency’s decision to cut down various programs without the required authorization from Congress. It was noted that Trump issued 162 executive orders within the first four months of his term, a stark contrast to the mere two bills approved by Congress and five joint resolutions expressing congressional disapproval for rules proposed by different government agencies.
The protesters also compared Trump’s administration to that of the previous president, Joe Biden. Biden managed to pass 16 bills in the same four-month timeframe at the beginning of his term. Moreover, Trump’s issuance of 162 executive orders within such a short period was viewed alarmingly, considering that Biden issued an equal number of orders but over his entire four-year term.
The No Kings participants highlighted a comprehensive array of key concerns, including the proposal known as Project 2025, the country’s immigration policies, and significant budget cuts affecting Social Security, Medicaid, and scientific research initiatives. Advocacy group 50501, a key organizer of these national-scale protests, emphasized their fundamental beliefs, stating ‘We believe in the power of peaceful protest. We believe in local leadership. We believe that government should serve the people, not control them. We reject political violence and authoritarianism. We stand together to defend the democratic principles this country was founded on.’
Organizers reported that the No Kings demonstrations had mobilized millions throughout hundreds of events. On the eve of these marches, several governors across the U.S. called for peace, declaring zero endurance for violent behavior, while some even brought in the National Guard in anticipation of the rallies.
While overall the protests maintained calm, some incidents of confrontation occurred. A week after immigration enforcement raids sparked nationwide protests, officers in Los Angeles used tear gas and other crowd-control measures to disperse the remaining protesters at the end of the official event. In a similar vein, police in Portland launched tear gas and projectiles to disperse onlookers who gathered in front of a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement building, resulting in a prolonged evening protest.
A significant incident occurred in Salt Lake City, Utah, where an altercation involving gunfire during a downtown march left one individual critically wounded. Following the incident, authorities detained three persons, including the alleged gunman who had also suffered gunshot injuries, as shared by Police Chief Brian Redd.
Despite the sporadic incidents, a celebratory and resolute atmosphere prevailed in many cities. Animated crowds swarmed the streets of New York, Denver, Chicago, Austin and Los Angeles, marching, drumming, chanting, and even dancing, united under the banner of ‘no kings.’ A notable event in Atlanta quickly reached its maximum occupancy of 5,000 participants, with even more gathering beyond the barriers to partake in speeches outside the state Capitol.
In the North West, Seattle boasted its largest downtown rally, with officials estimating a crowd of over 70,000 people, as reported by the Seattle Times.
The spirit that resonated throughout the day was perfectly summarized by the No Kings Coalition in their statement on that Saturday afternoon, ‘Today, across red states and blue, rural towns and major cities, Americans stood in peaceful unity and made it clear: we don’t do kings.’
As evening fell and many events concluded, the energy on the streets remained. The images of these marches held throughout the country serve as a reminder of the power of collective action, grounded in democratic principles and the belief in a government by the people, for the people.
The duration of the No Kings Protest and the nationwide participation, from regional towns to major cities alike, showcased the public’s desire for democratic values. The story of this day is one of unity and peaceful protest, demonstrating the message that no matter where on the political spectrum one lies, the belief in the nation’s foundational principles of democracy remains undeterred.
Leading up to the No Kings Protests, tensions were discernible, as if the society was on the edge of a proverbial cliff. Yet, despite the apprehension, the events were largely peaceful. This depiction of public readiness to express their grievances as a collective voice, yet in a civil manner, was laudable.
Most see these protests as a significant milestone on the path toward their end goal – to uphold democratic principles, resist authoritarian rule, and restore balance between various branches of government. It was an elaborate spectacle of public thought, concern and demand for accountability, all encapsulated within a ‘No Kings’ banner.
The gentle rebellion seems to have resonated a strong message, that the government should serve its citizens and not rule them. Different factions came together under this core belief, creating a unity across state lines, political inclinations, urban or rural identifiers, and generation gaps.
The ground-shaking No Kings Protests encapsulated the desire of the people for their voice to matter in the democratic framework that the nation holds dear. It is a tale of peaceful rebellion, rekindling the tenets of a democratic society: the collective voice, the peaceful demonstration, the local leadership, the service to the community, and above all, resistance against authoritative rule.
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