Massive crowds flooded the streets of major US cities on Saturday as part of the “No Kings” movement — a nationwide protest against President Donald Trump’s expanding powers and his administration’s controversial policies. From New York to Washington, Chicago to Los Angeles, the message was clear: “Democracy will not kneel before a crown.”
In New York City, more than 100,000 demonstrators gathered peacefully across the five boroughs, with Times Square becoming the symbolic heart of resistance. Chants of “This is what democracy looks like” echoed through the streets, accompanied by drums and cowbells. Hovering above the crowd was the familiar “Trump Baby Blimp,” now an enduring icon of protest.
Among the demonstrators was Beth Zasloff, a writer who said she felt “outraged and distressed” by what she described as “a drift toward fascism.” “It gives me hope,” she said, “to stand here with so many who still believe in the soul of this country.”
Nearby, Massimo Mascoli, a 68-year-old retired engineer from New Jersey, drew parallels to his homeland’s past. “My uncle died fighting Mussolini’s fascists,” he said. “I never imagined I’d see the same shadow rising here.”
The No Kings organization, which coordinated the protests, emphasized non-violence and urged participants to de-escalate tensions.
In Washington DC, Senator Bernie Sanders addressed thousands of demonstrators: “We are not here because we hate America — we are here because we love America.”
Senator Chuck Schumer joined marchers in New York, holding a sign that read: “Fix the healthcare crisis — no dictators in America.”
Amid concerns about unrest, Republican governors in several states placed National Guard units on standby. Texas Governor Greg Abbott called the protests “Antifa-linked demonstrations,” but Democrats denounced the move, accusing him of “acting like a king suppressing his people.”
Solidarity marches spread across Europe and Canada — from London and Berlin to Toronto — where protesters held banners reading “Hands off Canada” and “Defend democracy everywhere.”
President Donald Trump, in an interview preview on Fox News, responded to criticism, saying: “A king? I’m not a king.”
Analysts warn that Trump’s consolidation of executive power, his deployment of federal forces, and his pursuit of political adversaries could pose a serious threat to the constitutional balance of power in the United States.
A recent Reuters/Ipsos poll shows Trump’s approval rating at 40%, with 58% disapproval — a stark reflection of the nation’s deep divisions.
From New York’s crowded avenues to London’s embassy streets, the call echoed the same: democracy, not monarchy — and no kings in America.
