Crowds began taking to the streets Saturday in cities and towns across the country to vent their anger over President Trump’s policies in so-called “No Kings” protests, which Republicans have slammed as “Hate America” rallies.
More than 2,700 demonstrations are planned coast to coast, including near Mr. Trump’s Mar-a-Lago residence in Florida, where he is spending the weekend. Organizers say they are expecting millions to attend the events, with at least one rally planned in every state.
These numbers would match the massive turnout at similar events held on June 14—Mr. Trump’s birthday and the day of a giant military parade in the U.S. capital. Protesters voiced outrage over the Trump administration’s crackdown on undocumented migrants and the deployment of National Guard troops to Los Angeles.
Since returning to the White House in January, Mr. Trump has ordered National Guard deployments in Washington, D.C., and Memphis. However, planned deployments to Chicago and Portland, Oregon, have so far been blocked in the courts.
Demonstrators are also upset over Mr. Trump’s attacks on the media, prosecutions of his political opponents, and a host of actions they perceive as authoritarian.
On its website, “No Kings” organizers state: “The president thinks his rule is absolute. But in America, we don’t have kings and we won’t back down against chaos, corruption, and cruelty.”
Stephanie, a 36-year-old hospital worker who did not provide her last name, told AFP in the Queens borough of New York—where hundreds had gathered early Saturday morning—”This president is a disgrace and I hope there will be millions in the street today.”
In Los Angeles, organizers expect around 100,000 people to attend. Beyond New York and San Francisco, protests are scheduled in major cities such as Washington, Boston, Chicago, Atlanta, and New Orleans, as well as in small towns across all 50 states.
Outside of the U.S., crowds gathered outside U.S. embassies in Berlin, Rome, Paris, and Sweden, showing solidarity with the American protesters. Photos from these events depict demonstrators holding signs denouncing fascism and dictatorships.
So far, President Trump’s response to the protests has been muted. “They’re saying they’re referring to me as a king. I’m not a king,” he told Fox News’ “Sunday Morning Futures” in an interview airing Sunday.
However, top Republican surrogates dismissed the events. House Speaker Mike Johnson called it the “Hate America Rally,” stating, “You’re going to bring together the Marxists, the Socialists, the Antifa advocates, the anarchists, and the pro-Hamas wing of the far-left Democrat Party,” during a press briefing.
Republican lawmaker Tom Emmer also used the “Hate America” phrase, referring to participants as the “terrorist wing” of the Democratic Party.
In response to the planned protests, Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin activated the National Guard and announced a “substantially increased police presence.” He affirmed that protesters have the right to free speech but warned that “this does not include the destruction of property, looting, vandalism, disruption of traffic, or violence of any kind—for which there will be zero tolerance.”
Similarly, Texas Governor Greg Abbott stated that the National Guard and public safety personnel would be surged to Austin to manage expected protests.
On the other hand, top Democratic Senator Chuck Schumer encouraged demonstrators to let their voices be heard, supporting their right to peaceful protest.
The nationwide “No Kings” protests highlight the deep division over President Trump’s policies and leadership style, with significant engagement both domestically and internationally.
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/no-kings-trump-rallies-protests-october/