Protesters across the U.S. and around the world gathered for the third “No Kings” installment to protest President Trump and his administration. Demonstrations included chants, drumming, speeches and organized village-style outreach by local groups; many events focused on immigration policy, the economy and opposition to war.
Highlights and notable speeches
– Bruce Springsteen was introduced at a Minneapolis gathering, where he praised the city’s solidarity after federal troops were deployed there earlier in the year. He honored demonstrators killed in confrontations — naming Renee Good and Alex Pretti — and vowed their names and sacrifices would not be forgotten.
– Speakers at rallies across cities spoke about defending the Constitution and stopping what they called a “reactionary nightmare” and “invasions of American cities.” At one Baltimore rally a speaker invoked 250 years since rejecting King George and called on Americans to reject a “wannabe king, Donald Trump,” asking crowds, “Do we bow down to kings? Hell, no.”
– Local leaders and organizers emphasized turnout and voter engagement. Indivisible Chicago and Hands Off Chicago were credited with mobilizing participants, and multiple volunteers served as safety marshals and medics at large gatherings.
Protests and actions by city
– Minneapolis: Large gatherings that included music, speeches and memorials for those the crowd said were harmed under the administration’s policies.
– Chicago: Indivisible Chicago helped plan Hands Off Chicago rally activities and voter outreach in key states. Demonstrators sang and chanted against ICE and deportations.
– Baltimore: Speakers denounced corruption and cruelty, linked immigration policy to family separation and called for accountability at all levels of government.
– Los Angeles / Baldwin Park (SoCal): Early-morning protests were part of dozens of rallies across LA County. Organizers warned of major downtown events at City Hall and potential traffic disruptions; metal gates were installed at some 101 on- and off-ramps near City Hall ahead of a planned large march.
– Central Texas: Groups described bringing together organizations focused on social justice, immigration, anti-war, LGBTQ and civil rights issues to create “villages” where people could connect with services and advocacy.
– Other cities: Rallies took place in many local markets, from Houston to Sacramento; the national movement aimed to replicate actions in critical states and drive civic participation.
Themes, chants and community perspectives
– Common chants included “No kings,” “No crowns,” “No ICE in our streets,” “In our streets, no justice, no peace,” and “Immigrants are welcome here.” Many protesters characterized the events as peaceful demonstrations intended to show community and push for change at the ballot box.
– Participants cited multiple grievances: immigration enforcement and detention of families and children, the war in Iran, economic priorities that demonstrators said favor the wealthy, and broader concerns about corruption and erosion of rights.
– Organizers emphasized trust, honesty and community-building as reasons they could hold recurring actions and maintain regular protest schedules.
Turnout and context
– Organizers noted this was the third major “No Kings” day of action; previous large mobilizations were described as drawing millions nationwide in earlier months (cited figures in reporting referenced events last June and last October).
– In LA County alone, organizers scheduled more than 40 separate rallies and marches for the day, with the largest projected in downtown Los Angeles in the afternoon. Local officials prepared for disruptions and deployed measures at freeway ramps to discourage protesters from accessing certain roadways.
Voices from the crowd
– Several long-time activists and veterans connected the protests to past movements, describing the current demonstrations as a continuation of resistance and civic activism.
– Protesters described coming out for freedom, democracy and community; some told local reporters they had participated in earlier nationwide actions and believed public demonstrations and voting were essential to changing government direction.
– Participants at diverse rallies stressed the intersection of issues — immigration policy, civil liberties, economic fairness and opposition to war — as the reasons they joined the “No Kings” events.
Logistics and support
– Rallies featured volunteer safety marshals, street medic teams, water distribution and accessibility accommodations such as ASL interpreters. Organizers instructed crowds on making room for people with disabilities and provided information about restrooms and safety procedures.
– Many events were grassroots in organization — often described by organizers as “a chat room full of neighbors” rather than formal groups or registered nonprofits — relying on volunteer coordination and mutual trust to keep actions regular and safe.
Overall, the “No Kings” demonstrations combined coordinated local efforts, celebrity and political speeches, and widespread grassroots participation aimed at pressing elected officials and encouraging civic engagement around immigration, governance, accountability and other issues.