Thousands of protesters gathered across the United States on Saturday morning, joining a wave of “No Kings” demonstrations scheduled in cities nationwide. Organizers say the protests are part of a broader movement to defend First Amendment rights.
Political leaders on protests
Republican leaders condemned the events, characterizing them as divisive and unpatriotic. “It will be a collection of wild leftist policy priorities, and that will be on display for the whole country,” House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., said. “After that’s over, I hope there are a few Democrats who will come to their senses and return to governing the country.”
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Supporters of the rallies, however, countered that the protests were a necessary response to what they view as government overreach and violations of constitutional rights.
Among the prominent figures expected to attend is Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., who said he would join demonstrators at one of the major events. Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., is slated to headline the gathering in Washington, D.C., where thousands are expected to converge on the National Mall.
Demonstrators cite executive overreach
Other lawmakers and public figures are reportedly making appearances at protest locations across the country to show solidarity with the movement. Organizers anticipate millions of participants in cities and towns nationwide, with protest events scheduled in all 50 states.
“Essentially, Donald Trump has been overreaching his powers as an executive, and we’re all here to protest that and to basically say that he should not be able to conduct these overreaches of his power — invading cities and basically showing the public is not willing to put up with that,” said one protester who spoke to Reuters at a rally in Washington.
Many attendees expressed concerns about recent executive actions and federal interventions, which they argue threaten the principles of democracy and local autonomy.
Keeping it peaceful
The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), a key supporter of the protests, said it has trained tens of thousands of individuals to serve as marshals during the events. These marshals received instruction in de-escalation techniques and crowd management, aiming to keep the demonstrations peaceful.
“Our goal is to ensure that everyone’s rights are protected and that these protests remain nonviolent,” the ACLU said in a statement. Organizers predict more than 2,600 separate protest events taking place across urban centers, college campuses and rural communities.
This marks the third mass protest movement since January, underscoring heightened political tension and public engagement in response to controversial policies. Cities including New York, Boston, Atlanta and Miami reported significant turnout, as local authorities coordinate with organizers to maintain safety and order.
