Hundreds of thousands of demonstrators filled streets in more than 3,000 U.S. cities and towns on Saturday for the third nationwide “No Kings” day of protest since President Donald Trump returned to office. Organizers said the turnout could be the largest yet, estimating about 8 million people took part.
The protests, coordinated by a coalition that includes groups such as the ACLU, National Action Network, the United Federation of Teachers and Indivisible, were staged to denounce a range of administration policies and actions — from the use of federal forces in immigration enforcement to recent deadly federal law enforcement encounters in Minneapolis and concerns about the possibility of war with Iran. Organizers also encouraged sustained local activism, including ICE-watching, mutual aid for immigrant communities, voter registration and other community organizing efforts.
Rallies stretched from coast to coast. In Washington, D.C., demonstrators gathered near the Lincoln Memorial and marched through the city. Streets in New York City were packed; a march that began in Columbus Circle near the Trump International Hotel reportedly moved more than 20 blocks and drew a parade of public figures, including actor Robert De Niro. The NYPD described “tens of thousands” of peaceful protesters across the five boroughs and reported zero protest-related arrests.
Minneapolis and St. Paul hosted large gatherings after months of local protests following the killings of Renee Good and Alex Pretti. Organizers said over 200,000 people attended the Minneapolis rally, which featured speakers including Sen. Bernie Sanders and musician Bruce Springsteen. Activist Lizz Winstead told the crowd the Twin Cities demonstration set a model for the movement, and Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz praised residents for their turnout and resolve.
Other notable demonstrations included thousands in Atlanta near the state Capitol, marches in Boston and Lexington, Massachusetts, and actions in smaller communities such as Shelbyville, Kentucky. The protests were not limited to the U.S.: parallel demonstrations were reported in Rome and London.
Organizers emphasized nonviolence; they urged participants to remain peaceful, noting previous “No Kings” events had ended without disturbances. Participants carried homemade signs, chanted and sang, and many framed the day as part of longer-term campaigns to protect civil rights and hold officials accountable.
The White House declined to comment on the weekend’s events. In past weeks and months, Trump and some allies have dismissed or criticized the demonstrations — Trump twice called backers’ claims into question, once saying “I’m not a king” before an October rally. After that protest, he shared an AI-generated video on social media depicting himself in a fighter jet and appearing to drop feces on protesters; the White House did not address the video directly, while House Speaker Mike Johnson defended the president’s use of social platforms as satire.
Organizers said Saturday’s mobilization built on earlier actions, including an October event that they said drew more than 7 million people, and pledged ongoing local work aimed at protecting immigrant communities, opposing escalation abroad and increasing voter engagement. With thousands of events and millions of participants, the “No Kings” demonstrations signaled sustained, nationwide opposition to the president’s policies and rhetoric.