Large crowds were seen on Saturday in major cities like New York and Washington, D.C., as well as in London, during the second round of “No Kings” protests against the Trump administration since June.
While some officials expressed concerns about potential violence, the afternoon rally remained peaceful, with no reports of injuries or arrests amid an ongoing government shutdown.
Republicans argued that these protests were merely a diversion from the current budgetary stalemate and a way to rally their supporters. House Speaker Mike Johnson from Louisiana shared his hope that Democratic leaders would be more receptive to the Republican proposals after the protests concluded, though he didn’t seem very hopeful.
Democratic Governor Gavin Newsom of New Jersey also joined the “No Kings” protests, pledging to oppose Trump’s policies vigorously.
In New York City, the police reported that over 100,000 participants turned out across the five boroughs, with no “protest-related” arrests noted. Similar scenes unfolded in Washington, D.C., where demonstrators briefly spilled onto streets but were otherwise peaceful.
Other cities like Chicago, Los Angeles, Houston, Boston, Atlanta, Portland, and Austin witnessed significant gatherings, with police declaring the events largely orderly. However, Portland police did confirm that at least three individuals were taken into custody for assault during the downtown protests.
Meanwhile, Illinois State Police reported at least 15 arrests near an ICE facility in the Chicago suburb of Broadview, and Denver police detained a few individuals for obstructing traffic on a freeway.
The “No Kings” protests, which took place in approximately 2,500 locations nationwide, were characterized by a definitive anti-Trump sentiment, as participants rallied against what they viewed as authoritarian governance. Governor Newsom stated that California would continue to resist Trump’s administration peacefully.
At the rally in D.C., Senator Bernie Sanders addressed those who criticized the protests, declaring it a “Love America rally” and expressing gratitude to the millions of Americans who participated. He emphasized a message of collective empowerment, stating, “We don’t need a king anymore. In America, we the people will rule.”
