Millions of Americans participated, this Saturday, in around 2,600 demonstrations spread across the 50 states of the country, in protest against the “authoritarian” agenda of the Trump Administration.
This day of protest — under the motto “No Kings” (We have no Kings, in a free translation) — took place in a country in uproar. The government is paralyzed (shutdown) 18 days ago due to the tussle, in Congress, between Republicans and Democrats regarding the budget for 2026.
On another front, Donald Trump challenged the authority of some governors and ordered the deployment of the National Guard to the streets of some Democratic states, such as California, Illinois, Oregon — and also to Washington, D.C.– to solve the scourges of urban crime and homelessness.
On the other hand, the aggressive ‘hunting for illegal immigrants’ operations by the federal foreign and border police (ICE) have contributed to exacerbating the climate of tension throughout the country.
Protest in New York against aggressive operations by the federal foreign and border police
Shannon Stapleton / Reuters
At the protest in New York, next to Madison Square Garden, in addition to a large banner with the slogan “No Kings”, another demanded: “The people above billionaires”. Using megaphones, people shouted: “This is what democracy looks like” and “No hate, no fear, immigrants are welcome here”.
To the CNN reporta protester stated: “In the 1960s, we wanted to expand rights — women’s rights, gay rights, minority rights, the right to vote. But all of that is being taken away now. Our entire democracy is being threatened, the basic principles, the press, the judiciary.”
Cpolitically motivated rhymes
This Saturday’s protests are a second chapter in a story that began to be told on June 14th when, for the first time, the “No Kings” demonstrations took to the streets of the United States against an increasingly authoritarian and militarized regime.
On that day, the protest was a direct response to the military parade with which President Trump wanted to mark the 250th anniversary of the United States army, in Washington DC. That day, Democratic congresswoman Melissa Hortman and her husband were shot dead at home, and Minnesota state senator John Hoffman (Democrat) and his wife were injured, also at home, in two motivated crimes policies.
This Saturday, at a protest in Atlanta, Georgia, Democratic senator Raphael Warnock accused Trump of trying to “weaponize despair.” And he said: “At this moment, when we see a president and a government appropriating power that does not belong to them, our message is very clear: it is not about the people in power, but about the power that exists in the people”.
“Power belongs to us, to the people, not to dictators”, defends in New York
Kevin Mazur / Getty Images
In cities that held protests, security was reinforced and warnings were issued that violence or material damage would not be tolerated. “The New York Police Department will be throughout the city to ensure that everyone can exercise their First Amendment rights peacefully and safely,” he said. “As a reminder, there will be zero tolerance for any illegal activity or anyone breaking the law.”
In the state of Virginia, Governor Glenn Youngkin, of the Republican Party, said he had activated the National Guard to support the police. Texas Governor Greg Abbott, also a Republican, ordered state police and members of the National Guard to head to Austin, classifying the demonstration planned for the city as “linked to Antifa”, the far-left anti-fascist movement that Trump designated a terrorist organizationfollowing the murder of conservative activist Charlie Kirk.
Mike Johnson, the Republican who presides over the House of Representatives in Congress, joined the chorus of critics who labeled these protests “un-American”, suggested that the outcry contributes to the paralysis of the government and that the participants are “pro-Hamas”.
Inflatables at a protest in Washington DC to show their peaceful nature
Leah Millis / Reuters
Inflatables to combat violence
While both the Trump Administration and Republican Party figures argue that the anti-Trump protests are the work of “violent left-wing radicals”, the organization behind the “No Kings” events — the Indivisible Project — says it is committed to “non-violent actions”.
“Our movement has always been committed to non-violence and peaceful demonstrations,” said Liz Cattaneo, organizer of the protest in Washington, DC, speaking to CNN. He added that, during the preparation of this Saturday’s national event, volunteers underwent training in de-escalation tactics. “We leave nothing to chance. briefings of security and almost daily training for volunteers across the country.”
The protesters seem to have got the message right, as this Saturday, many took to the streets on inflatables, in a symbolic gesture of those who want to highlight the peaceful protest as a contrast to the Trump Administration’s show of force in cities led by Democrats.
Bernie Sanders presents
One of the politicians who has fought the most against Donald Trump is Senator Bernie Sanders, who did not miss the “No Kings” protest. “This moment is not just about one man’s greed, one man’s corruption, or one man’s disregard for the Constitution,” Sanders said, speaking at a protest in Washington DC.
“These are a handful of the richest people on the planet who, in their insatiable greed, hijacked our economy and our political system to enrich themselves at the expense of working families across the country,” he added. “I’m talking about Elon Musk, Jeff Bezos, Mark Zuckerberg and the other billionaires who were sitting right behind Trump when he took office.”
“Protest”No Kings” in Lisbon
The call for a large national anti-Trump protest resonated outside the United States. One of the countries that responded to the call was Portugal.
RODRIGO ANTUNES / LUSA
This Saturday afternoon, a “No King” protest took place in Praça do Comércio, in the heart of Lisbon, organized by the group “Americans in Portugal United in Protest” (AMPT UP).
On one of the posters held, painted with an illustration with an abundance of red carnations, it reads (in English): “America needs what Portugal knows. Fight for true liberation.”