2:03Protesters brandish flags and signs during a “No Kings” demonstration opposing President Donald Trump’s actions, in Washington, D.C., Oct. 18, 2025. Leah Millis/Reuters
Advocates and activist organizations organized a subsequent series of "No Kings" demonstrations across the nation this past Saturday, objecting to what they view as an overreach of authority by President Donald Trump and his government, notably his strict immigration laws and the deployment of armed forces into U.S. cities.
Visuals and recordings of events from Boston to Los Angeles highlighted large gatherings of demonstrators brandishing placards protesting the administration's governmental actions, such as broad-scale deportations.
Republicans argued that the demonstrations were "anti-American" gatherings and suggested they are drawing out the existing federal government impasse.
There were no immediate accounts of violent episodes or detentions, according to area law enforcement agencies.
Demonstrators hold flags and placards during a “No Kings” protest against President Donald Trump’s policies, in Washington, D.C., Oct. 18, 2025.Leah Millis/Reuters
Later, in a formal statement, organizers mentioned almost 7 million individuals participated in protests held in excess of 2,700 towns and cities within the United States.
"The millions demonstrating are centered around a profound affection for our homeland. A homeland that we are sure is worth advocating for,” Katie Bethell, MoveOn Executive Director, expressed in a declaration.
An impartial count of participants was absent, however, the Crowd Counting Consortium, a project of Harvard University and the University of Connecticut that tracks the scale of political demonstrations utilizing public data, announced it would present an approximation within a few weeks.
Jeremy Pressman, a political science lecturer at the University of Connecticut and co-director of the consortium, advised ABC News that the attendance reported by organizers would establish it as the most extensive attendance count for a single-day demonstration in the U.S., only outdone by the initial Earth Day in 1970.
According to organizers, approximately 200,000 individuals arrived for the Washington, D.C., gathering.
The speaker lineup at the Washington, D.C., occasion featured Scientist and TV figure Bill Nye, who reminisced about the demonstrations against the Vietnam War.
"We are demonstrating in a parallel way presently. Although today, what’s at stake is more critical. Instead of abandoning a battle against a difficult to locate, at times perhaps fictional enemy, we are facing the likely conclusion of our republic," Nye remarked.
People participate in a “No Kings” national day of protest in New York, on Oct. 18, 2025.Timothy A.c Clary/AFP via Getty Images
"We are present to convey to our lawmakers that our government’s proceedings are incorrect. They must cease the abuses of this irritable president and his entourage of flatterers. No thrones, no crowns, no kings," Nye conveyed to an applauding crowd.
Sen. Adam Schiff, D-Calif., joined the demonstrators in Washington and confided to ABC News that he felt moved by a sign reading "silence is compliance."
"We cannot remain quiet amid this escalating militarization of our municipalities, the misuse of the Justice Department and the dismantling of science. People need to speak out, and it's splendid that millions nationwide are voicing themselves today," Schiff mentioned in dialogue.
A man dressed as former President Abraham Lincoln holding an American flag participates in a “No Kings” national day of protest in Washington, D.C.,, on Oct. 18, 2025.Amid Farahi/AFP via Getty Images
People participate in a “No Kings” national day of protest in New York on Oct. 18, 2025.Timothy A.clary/AFP via Getty Images
"It's fantastic to observe so many people present here today to articulate their thoughts, to demonstrate, to verbalize against the authoritarian leaning of this administration," Schiff expanded.
Over 100,000 individuals non-violently participated in the rallies throughout New York City's five boroughs and no arrests happened, as stated by the New York Police Department.
"The majority of the No Kings demonstrations have concluded at present and every street blockade has been lifted," the NYPD affirmed via a post on X.
What are the "No Kings" protests?
The day-long "No Kings" demonstrations build on the numerous gatherings held in mid-June. These events are being orchestrated by a group of organizations which includes the American Civil Liberties Union, Indivisible, 50501 and similar groups. Organizers communicate that in excess of 2,600 activities are planned on a national level — covering significant cities such as New York; Washington, D.C.; Chicago and Los Angeles — and anticipate millions to be present.
People participate in a “No Kings” national day of protest in Boston, Massachusetts, on Oct. 18, 2025.Joseph Prezioso/AFP via Getty Images
Mayor of Chicago Brandon Johnson speaks during a “No Kings” protest against U.S. President Donald Trump’s policies, in Chicago, Oct. 18, 2025.Jim Vondruska/Reuters
They have been "organized by ordinary people, by volunteers," Deirdre Schifeling, chief political and advocacy officer of the ACLU, mentioned to ABC News.
While organizers have not revealed specifics on funds collected before the protests, and the team has remained comparatively decentralized, a few entities have indicated either substantial spending to advertise the gatherings or planned star presence to increase excitement surrounding them.
As an illustration, Home of the Brave, a political organization, said on Monday that it was allocating $1 million to promote the No Kings demonstrations, also in regional and nationwide newspapers.
ABC News’ Christiane Cordero interviews Sen. Adam Schiff at the No Kings rally in Washington, D.C., on Oct. 18, 2025.ABC News
People gather on the day of a “No Kings” protest against President Donald Trump’s policies, in Atlanta, Oct. 18, 2025.Alyssa Pointer/Reuters
Celebrities, such as Jane Fonda, Kerry Washington, John Legend, Alan Cumming, and John Leguizamo, are slated to participate, according to a fundraising email from the political action committee Progressive Change Campaign Committee on Thursday.
"We'll be demonstrating for immigrant families facing attack and for voters being silenced. For communities terrorized by militarized policing. For families who are about to forfeit their health insurance. And for every single individual whose rights are threatened by this administration's cruelty," the group penned in the email.
In anticipation of Saturday’s rallies, law enforcement is vigorously monitoring social media and the internet, plus collaborating with community organizers and possible counter-protesters, to secure a sense of what to anticipate. This attentiveness emerges amidst continued heightened anxiety about substantial public gatherings, notably political affairs.
What are Republicans saying about the protests?
Republicans have been critiquing the demonstrations, suggesting these protests are a justification for the Democratic Party to not resolve the ongoing federal government shutdown.
Protesters gather at a main traffic intersection in support of the nationwide No Kings rallies on Oct. 18, 2025, in Waxhaw, North Carolina.Grant Baldwin/Getty Images
Senate Majority Leader John Thune asserted on Wednesday that Democrats are delaying in settling the funding matters till after Saturday's "No Kings" gatherings.
"The reality is — what Democrats truly desire is something Republicans cannot grant them. And that is the approval of their far-left constituency," Thune stated.
Republican leaders have as well framed the "No Kings" protests as a string of "Hate America" gatherings, labeling the coming occasions as designated to scrutinize the U.S. and what it symbolizes.
"And I suggest you observe — we term it the ‘Hate America Rally’ that will happen Saturday," House Speaker Mike Johnson declared to reporters on Wednesday. "Let's ascertain who shows up for that. I wager you see pro-Hamas advocates. I wager you see Antifa types. I wager you see the Marxists completely displayed, the individuals who do not wish to stand and safeguard the basic principles of this republic."
Johnson did not deliver any substantiation to uphold his statements that “pro-Hamas advocates” and “Antifa types” will attend. Organizers have expressed they are unable to regulate who participates in demonstrations from unaffiliated entities and have accentuated their ambition to maintain demonstrations polite and nonviolent.
Demonstrators gather during a ‘No Kings’ protest, part of a global campaign against U.S. President Donald Trump’s policies, outside the U.S. Embassy in London, Oct. 18, 2025.Jaimi Joy/Reuters
A woman holds a placard during a protest against U.S. President Donald Trump, in Paris, Oct. 18, 2025.Thibault Camus/AP
In an interview videotaped with Fox News’ Maria Bartiromo on Thursday, Trump was questioned concerning the rallies and dismissed the idea that he was a "king."
"They're referencing me as a king. I’m not a king," Trump affirmed.
Certain state leaders have as well vocalized that they are summoning more law enforcement as a result of the demonstrations, which backers of the demonstrations have stated could be designed to "repress" them.
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott, a Republican, communicated on X on Thursday, that he "directed the Dept. of Public Safety and National Guard to surge forces into Austin" before the rallies.
"Texas will NOT tolerate disorder. Anyone damaging property or committing violent acts will be promptly arrested,” Abbott penned.
State Rep. Gene Wu, who directs the state House’s Democratic caucus, penned in response, "Dispatching armed soldiers to repress nonviolent demonstrations is what kings and dictators do — and Greg Abbott just revealed he’s one of them."
How are protest organizers responding to Republican claims?
Organizers have retorted that Republicans in authority are accountable for the ongoing impasse, and have mentioned that Johnson and other Republicans avoiding mentioning the demonstration’s designation is important.
“I believe it’s remarkably telling that he expended an entire week designating this a 'hate American Rally,' attacking this coalition and Americans nationwide, and he refuses to even articulate the demonstration’s name," Leah Greenberg, co-executive director of Indivisible, a primary group in the "No Kings" coalition, conveyed to reporters on a press discussion on Thursday.
"That's because if you express the demonstration’s name, 'No Kings,' the complete argument collapses … there is nothing more American than expressing that we do not have kings and exercising our privilege to nonviolent demonstration," Greenberg expressed.
When asked if they suspected that the statements from Republicans would influence participant turnout on Saturday, organizers expressed that they anticipate it may have the opposing result.
"If anything, I anticipate it will raise turnout," Schifeling stated. "I believe Americans can notice through these tragic attempts to divert awareness from the failure of these Republican Congress associates and the Republican Trump government to in fact address what most Americans seek and require from their government."
Demonstrators wearing costumes walk during a ‘No Kings’ protest, part of a global campaign against U.S. President Donald Trump’s policies, outside the U.S. Embassy in London, Oct. 18, 2025.Jaimi Joy/Reuters
A demonstrator uses a megaphone during a “No Kings” rally against U.S. President Donald Trump and his administration, near the U.S. embassy in Berlin, Oct. 18, 2025.Christian Mang/Reuters
Ezra Levin, co-executive director of Indivisible, informed ABC News that he appreciates the visibility, but additionally feels Republicans are trying to restrain Americans from utilizing their First Amendment privilege.
"I believe the Republicans and Trump recognize that the most extensive peaceful protest in present-day American history is assembling on Saturday to resist the authoritarian overreach by this system and its advocates in Congress, and they're exploring means to send messages against it beforehand," he articulated.
ABC News' Josh Margolin assisted in this report.
Sourse: abcnews.go.com
