An estimated seven million protesters marched worldwide on Oct. 18 for No Kings Day, in what organizers described as one of the largest citizenry demonstrations against the Trump administration.
The No Kings Organization set up protests in cities across the United States and around the world. According to organizers, more than 2,700 protests were held nationwide, including large gatherings in Los Angeles, New York, Chicago, Washington, D.C. and Austin, Texas.
The Oct. 18 protests became the second major demonstration by the group. The first took place on June 14, President Donald Trump’s 79th birthday, when millions marched during the president’s inaugural event. The organization said it was formed in response to what it described as authoritarian actions by the Trump administration.
“His attempt to turn June 14 into a coronation collapsed, and the story became the strength of a movement rising against his authoritarian power grabs,” the group said in a public statement.
Four months later, the No Kings protests came back bigger and stronger.
Organizers announced that the movement had grown into a nationwide uprising. NPR reported the group was motivated by a series of actions taken by the administration since the summer, including increased immigration detentions by masked federal agents, reductions to education and environmental funding and concerns over gerrymandering.
NBC News reported scenes of mass mobilization worldwide.
“Protesters from Los Angeles to New York — including in Chicago, Washington, D.C. and Austin, Texas — flooded into streets chanting, marching and waving homemade signs, including some that proclaimed ‘We want all of the government to work’ and ‘Make America Good Again,’” the network reported.
In Detroit, one of Michigan’s largest gatherings took place in Roosevelt Park. Local organizer Katrina Manetta told Fox 2 News Detroit that the event’s intentions were peaceful.
“These are completely nonviolent protests,” Manetta said. “You can bring water, you can bring tennis shoes, and depending on where you are in the state, whether it’s a rally or march, just come prepared to have fun and enjoy yourself.”
Among those in attendance was Rhoda Stempin, a special education teacher with 28 years of experience at Michigan Public Schools. She joined the protests to advocate for both her students and her country.
“I have watched the Trump administration arbitrarily cut federal funds from schools, including my district, and most recently, eliminated almost all employees who oversee special education programs,” Stempin said. “The actions of this administration are hurting my students, and I feel a responsibility to speak up for them.”
Stempin believed that many actions being carried out by the Trump Administration are authoritarian.
“I attended the protest in order to add to a collective voice that is bringing attention to the anti-democratic actions of our current administration,” Stempin stated. “Specifically their funding decisions, their deployment of our military into blue cities, their immigration policies and tactics, their attacks on the press and their censorship of people who are critical of Donald Trump.”
Although No Kings Day had waves of support, the protest also received disapproval from some political officials. When asked about the protests by NPR, White House spokesperson Abigail Jackson responded, “Who cares?”
Connecticut House Republican Leader Vincent Candelora offered a more detailed reaction in a statement to Connecticut Public Radio.
“I think our democracy is still strong as ever — but, you know, they’re free to express themselves,” Candelora said.
The No Kings Organization says it is not slowing down.
“There will be more mass protests in our future,” the group said. “What we do will change week to week. Whatever the moment requires, we’ll adapt. Because authoritarianism doesn’t stand alone — it survives on silence, complicity, and cash flow. The No Kings Alliance is simple: make it impossible for anyone — in power, in profit, or in denial — to quietly capitulate.”
For those unable to attend, organizers encouraged supporters to engage in civic action.
“I think that it is important to not only reach out to your senators and representatives,” Stempin said. “But to also show them that you are willing to stand up and fight for justice for all.”
