Millions of demonstrators gathered in cities across the United States on Saturday for No Kings Day, a coordinated protest movement aimed at denouncing what participants describe as an erosion of democratic checks and balances under President Donald Trump.
Organizers of Saturday’s No Kings Day demonstrations estimated that more than 7 million people took part in rallies across the United States, with events staged in roughly 2,600 cities and towns.
Independent analysts offered lower but still substantial estimates, placing national turnout closer to 4 million to 4.5 million participants, a figure consistent with the movement’s first mass mobilization in June that drew between 4 and 6 million.
While the precise count remains uncertain, experts said the October turnout ranked among the largest coordinated protest efforts in modern U.S. history, with particularly strong showings in New York, Washington, Los Angeles, Chicago, Atlanta, and Minneapolis.
Marches and rallies took place in major metropolitan areas including New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, Seattle, Houston, Atlanta and Minneapolis, where protesters filled downtown streets chanting “Power to the people” and waving signs reading “No Kings.”
The nationwide demonstrations, organized by a coalition of civic groups and labor unions, marked the second major No Kings Day action this year. The first, held in June, coincided with Trump’s birthday and the 250th anniversary of the U.S. Army. Organizers said today’s turnout was intended to reaffirm their message that executive power should remain accountable to voters and the Constitution.
“We’re out here because democracy belongs to the people, not a king,” said Monique Cullars-Doty of Black Lives Matter Minnesota, who spoke at a rally at The Commons in downtown Minneapolis. “This is about reminding everyone that no one, not even a president, stands above the law.”
Officials in several cities said Saturday’s demonstrations were largely peaceful. March routes were coordinated with local police departments in advance, and volunteer marshals worked to keep crowds organized.
In Washington, protesters marched from Lafayette Square to the U.S. Capitol, carrying banners that read “No Kings in America.” In Los Angeles, activists held a concert-style gathering in Pershing Square that drew several thousand people.
The Department of Homeland Security said it was “monitoring events for safety concerns” but reported no major disturbances as of Saturday evening.
Supporters of the movement say it represents a growing, bipartisan unease with concentrated presidential power. Critics, however, dismissed the rallies as partisan attacks against the Trump administration.
House Speaker Mike Johnson called the protests “a political stunt designed to undermine legitimate authority.” In contrast, civil rights advocates argued that peaceful demonstration is a hallmark of American democracy.
During a press exchange earlier this week, Trump brushed off questions about the No Kings movement. “I don’t feel like a king,” he said. “I work harder than anyone — and I deal with Congress every single day.”
No Kings Day’s organizers say the campaign is nonpartisan and focused on civic participation ahead of the 2026 midterm elections. The movement has drawn support from organizations including Indivisible, MoveOn, and the American Federation of Teachers.
In Minneapolis, Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison told the crowd that sustained civic engagement would be essential in the months ahead. “If we want a government by and for the people, we have to show up — not just on Election Day, but every day,” he said.
By nightfall, marches were continuing on the West Coast, with smaller candlelight vigils planned in Portland and San Francisco.
